THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS

Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia, in which St. Paul, having preached the Gospel, converted some Jews and a great number of the Gentiles: but the unbelieving Jews, envying his success, raised such a commotion against him that he, and his companion, Sylvanus were obliged to quit the city. Afterwards he went to Athens, where he heard that the converts in Thessalonica were under a severe persecution, ever since his departure; and lest they should lose their fortitude, he sent Timothy to strengthen and comfort them in their sufferings. In the meantime St. Paul came to Corinth, where he wrote this first Epistle, and also the second to the Thessalonians, both in the same year, being the nineteenth after our Lord's Ascension. These are the first of his Epistles in the order of time.

1 Thessalonians Chapter 1

He gives thanks for the grace bestowed on the Thessalonians.

1:1. Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians: in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:2. Grace be to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all: making a remembrance of you in our prayers without ceasing,

1:3. Being mindful of the work of your faith and labour and charity: and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father.

1:4. Knowing, brethren, beloved of God, your election:

1:5. For our gospel hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also: and in the Holy Ghost and in much fulness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes.

1:6. And you became followers of us and of the Lord: receiving the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

1:7. So that you were made a pattern to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.

1:8. For from you was spread abroad the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and in Achaia but also in every place: your faith which is towards God, is gone forth, so that we need not to speak any thing.

1:9. For they themselves relate of us, what manner of entering in we had unto you: and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.

1:10. And to wait for his Son from heaven (whom he raised up from the dead), Jesus, who hath delivered us from the wrath to come.