1 Thessalonians 1:5

Text (1 Thessalonians 1:5)

5 how that our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; even as ye know what manner of men we showed ourselves toward you for your sake.

Translation and Paraphrase

5.

(We have assurance of your election) because our gospel (the good news which we preached) came not unto you as a spoken message only, but also with (miracle-working) power, and with the (evident presence of the) Holy Spirit, and with much full assurance (such as can exist only when men know they speak a true and powerful message. We preached unto you with assurance like that,) even as ye know what sort of men we were (while we were) among you (laboring as we did) for your sakes.

Notes (1 Thessalonians 1:5)

1.

Paul declares that the gospel which he preached came to the Thessalonians in four different ways:

(1)

In word, but not in word only.

(2)

In power.

(3)

In the Holy Spirit.

(4)

In much assurance.

2.

The way the gospel had come to the Thessalonians, and the way they received it, are set forth by Paul as proofs of their election. Sometimes people wonder if they are truly saved and accepted by God, If they have heard the gospel proclaimed truly, and have received it, they can know that their election is a reality.

3.

The word gospel means good news, Rotherham renders the phrase, our gospel, as our glad-message.

The gospel concerns the facts of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, with all the blessings brought by these events. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. You should by all means remember that the gospel concerns these three things.

The gospel has commands that must be obeyed. This is indicated by the fact that men must obey the gospel. 2 Thessalonians 1:8.

4.

While Paul calls his message our gospel, it is the same message as is elsewhere called the gospel of God (1 Thessalonians 2:2), and the gospel of Christ (1 Thessalonians 3:2). Paul calls it our gospel because he believed it, was saved by it, and preached it. But it did not originate in his mind. It was revealed to him by God. Galatians 1:11-12.

5.

The gospel which Paul preached is the ONLY gospel that can save us from our sins. We must strive for THE faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1:27). For there is only one faith, (Ephesians 4:5). We preach not a faith, but the faith. The gospel is by its very nature intolerant. It is kind, but intolerant. We must recognize it as THE truth of God, and preach it with full assurance, as Paul did. We cannot yield an inch when it comes to standing for the gospel.

6.

Paul's preaching in Thessalonica went forth to them in word, that is, as a spoken message. Paul in Thessalonica, reasoned with the Jews out of the Scriptures. He opened the Scriptures and alleged from them that the Christ had to suffer and rise again, and that Jesus was the Christ. Acts 17:2-3.

In our generation we cannot deliver God's message without using God's words. Modern attempts to deny that the message of God can be communicated in words are foolishness. If every man has to discover for himself what the will of God for him is, then we shall all live and die in uncertainty.

7.

The gospel also came to the Thessalonians in power. This probably refers to miracles which Paul worked in Thessalonica. Compare Hebrews 2:4. It is true that the account in Acts 17:1-9 of Paul's work in Thessalonica does not mention him doing any miracles. However, Romans 15:19 says, Through many signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. See also 1 Corinthians 2:4. It is very probable that Paul demonstrated power by doing miracles in Thessalonica as he did elsewhere.

8.

Also the gospel came to them in the Holy Spirit. This probably refers to the fact that Paul had supernatural guidance by the Holy Spirit in his preaching in Thessalonica.

Can we claim to preach in the Holy Spirit? We certainly do not claim direct guidance by the Holy Spirit as Paul experienced it. Nonetheless, what gospel preacher even today has not at times digressed from his prepared messages, and made extemporaneous remarks that he had not planned to make, and found afterwards that the unplanned remarks were exactly what some person present needed to hear? Surely the Holy Spirit must have guided the preacher to say these words, and brought them to his remembrance at the proper time.

Also we could stand up and say religious words to people forever without bringing conviction to them. Only as the Holy Spirit takes the words which we preach and uses them to bring conviction to people's hearts, will we be able to win them. See John 17:8. So in a very real manner we still preach in the Holy Spirit.

9.

Finally, Paul preached in much assurance. May God help us to have the same assurance. The assurance we have inwardly will be exhibited outwardly by every word we say and every deed we do. Weak convictions produce weak actions. Assurance produces ardent actions.

On the other hand, we might have inward assurance, but because we were too reserved or formal or naturally hesitant, we might speak in a very conversational, and apparently unconcerned manner, which would give people the impression that we did not have real assurance. God help us to preach fervently, and to lift up our voice with strength, and cry aloud. Paul says that his manner of life proved that his gospel had come to the Thessalonians with much assurance. Let us have the same urgency in our speech and actions that Paul had, so that men will know we preach the gospel with much assurance.