1 Thessalonians 1:9

Text (1 Thessalonians 1:9)

9 For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God,

Translation and Paraphrase

9.

For they themselves (the people in every place) report (to us when we talk to them,) concerning us (telling us about) what (a wonderful) sort of entering in we had unto you (when we came to Thessalonica to preach), and how that you (so completely) turned to God from idols, (determined) to serve (yes, even be slaves of) a living and true God.

Notes (1 Thessalonians 1:9)

1.

News about a genuine conversion is quickly known far and wide. Paul found himself hearing reports from many people about how the Thessalonians had turned to God. As travellers came into Corinth from various places, many of them told how they had heard about the Thessalonians, and how Paul had had such a successful entry into Thessalonica, and how that so many of them had turned from idols to the true and living God. The Thessalonians had really placed their light on a candlestick for all to see. Matthew 5:15. They were a church to be thankful for.

2.

The discussion of the manner of Paul's entering in unto the Thessalonians is taken up in detail beginning at 1 Thessalonians 2:1. The word translated entrance in 1 Thessalonians 2:1 (eisodos) is the same word translated here as entering in.

3.

Acts 14:15 gives an example of how Paul urged the Gentiles to turn from idols: We. preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God. It will not do to put up a picture of Christ on an idol shelf along with the statue of Buddha. People must turn FROM idols to serve God acceptably.

4.

The verb turned is in the aorist tense, indicating completed, punctilliar, point action. They did not half turn. They turned once for all from idols.

5.

They turned from idols to serve the living God. The verb translated serve (douleuo) means to be slaves (or bondservants) of. Paul frequently referred to himself as the servant or slave of Christ. See Romans 1:1. The unavoidable truth is that ALL people are going to be bondservants of someone, either of sin, or of the Lord. Romans 6:16; John 8:34. However, sin is so deceptive that men can be slaves to it, and think they are completely free and emancipated. This is the devil's method of enslaving people.

6.

The expression, living and true God, is a Hebrew way of describing God, and is gloriously correct. Jesus himself spoke of His Father in a similar manner when He said, That they. might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent. John 17:3.

7.

The fact that the Thessalonians had so generally turned from idols shows that it was predominantly a Gentile church, as Acts 17:4 also indicates.

8.

It is a fact that a person becomes like what he worships. The idol worshippers reflect on their faces the likeness (often the sadness) of their gods. The worshippers of the living God show by radiant joy that their God is REAL. They looked unto him, and were radiant; and their faces shall never be confounded. Psalms 34:5; American Standard Ver.