1 Thessalonians 1:7

Text (1 Thessalonians 1:7)

7 so that ye became an ensample to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.

Translation and Paraphrase

7.

(But your sufferings with joy have resulted in much good, so much so) that you have become an example to all (of those) who believe (both) in Macedonia (northern Greece) and in Achaia (southern Greece).

Notes (1 Thessalonians 1:7)

1.

Much good resulted from the troubles of the Thessalonians. Soon Christians from all over Greece were looking to the Thessalonians as an example.

2.

The word ensample is an obsolete word in modern English. It means practically the same thing as example. This is well indicated by the fact that there are two Greek words that are translated ensample (tupos and hupodeigma), but that these same words are also translated example in other references. The word used here is tupos. (We get our word type from this word.) Technically, it means a pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made. The image left on a coin by stamping it is called a type. Children are said to be types of their parents. So these Thessalonians were clearly stamped and typed as children of God.

3.

For information as to the location of Macedonia, see the map inside the cover, and Introductory Section VI, par. 2.

4.

Achaia was the great Roman province in southern Greece, of which Corinth was capital. Athens was also in Achaia.

5.

Probably travellers going in and out of Corinth (where Paul was) from Macedonia reported to Paul how they had heard about the Thessalonian Christians.