1 Thessalonians 1:6

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord imitators of us &c. (R.V.); comp. ch. 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:9, where the same correction is made. An "imitator" not only accepts the teaching of another, but copies his example. This imitationconsisted (1) in the joyful endurance of suffering for the Gospel's sake, as the following words show (comp. ch. 1 Thessalonians 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15, &c.); but (2) also in the vigour which marked the life of this Church, corresponding to that of the Apostle's ministry amongst them (1 Thessalonians 1:4). See note on "work of faith" (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

Thus imitating their apostles, the Thessalonian believers were walking in the steps of the Lord, Who Himself "received" from the Father "the word in much affliction," and "with joy of the Holy Spirit:" "The words that Thou gavest Me," He said to the Father, "I have given them;" men "persecuted Me, and they will persecute you," He promised His disciples; and He too "rejoiced in the Holy Spirit" (John 17:8; John 15:20; Luke 10:21). Accordingly, in Colossians 1:24 the Apostle writes of himself as "filling up what is left behind of the afflictions of Christ." Observe two things here: (1) How inspiring to the Thessalonians to be told they were walking in the very steps "of the Lord;" this makes toil welcome, and shame glorious. (2) How bold in the Apostle, and what a good conscience he kept, that he could identify following himself with following Christ. Comp. 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Be imitators of me, even as I also of Christ."

1 Thessalonians 1:6 is parallel to 1 Thessalonians 1:5, both serving to establish 1 Thessalonians 1:4. St Paul was satisfied that God had set His love upon these Thessalonians and chosen them to salvation, in the first instance by the extraordinary power and effect upon them of his preaching, as they will remember (1 Thessalonians 1:5); and further by their joyous endurance of persecution, proving the thoroughness of their conversion, to which everyone is witness (1 Thessalonians 1:6). "We give thanks to God for you … being well assured of your Divine election, in that our message to you was attended with the manifest power of the Holy Spirit, and yon gladly consented to the sufferings that it brought upon you" (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

having received the word On "receive" see note to ch. 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

"The word" (par excellence) stands alone for "the word of the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 1:8), or "of God" (ch. 1 Thessalonians 2:13), the same as "our gospel" (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

in much affliction This great affliction (or tribulation: same Greek word, ch. 1 Thessalonians 3:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:6) is described in Acts 17:5-9, and referred to frequently in the Epistles: see Introd.pp. 15, 35. Persecution marked out the path in which the Thessalonians were called to follow Christ, and gave them an immediate opportunity of showing the genuineness of their faith. So with the kindred Philippian Church: "To you it was granted as a favour on Christ's behalf, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Philippians 1:29).

with joy of the Holy Ghost i.e. coming of (or inspired by) the Holy Spirit. Joy constantly attends suffering for the truth's sake, and for the word of God. Of this St Paul was an eminent example "sorrowing, yet alway rejoicing" (2 Corinthians 6:10, &c.); and Christ Himself, Who promises His disciples "My joy" amidst the sorrows of His passion (John 15:11); the Thessalonians were "imitators." At a later time the Apostle notes in the Macedonian Churches, "in much proof of affliction, the abundance of their joy" (2 Corinthians 8:2). All such joy is from the Holy Spirit, and is a sign of His indwelling,

"Whose blessed unction from above

Is comfort, life, and fire of love!"

The same Spirit Who enabled the apostles to preach with powerin spite of all opposition, enabled the Thessalonians to believe with joyin spite of all persecution.

The Apostle introduces the Holy Spirit in 1 Thessalonians 1:5 as One whose presence and attributes were well known to his readers. They had been "baptised into the name of the Holy Spirit," as well as "of the Father and the Son:" see notes on 1 Thessalonians 1:1, "in God the Father &c." In these first few verses the whole doctrine of the Trinity is implied.