1 Thessalonians 1:7

7 So you became a model to all the believers in the lands of Macedonia and Achaia.

1 Thessalonians 1:7 Meaning and Commentary

1 Thessalonians 1:7

So that ye were ensamples to all that believe
They were not only followers of Christ and his apostles, whom they took for examples of faith, holiness, courage, meekness, and patience; but they were patterns of good works; and of suffering afflictions to other believers, even to all that knew them, or heard of them, particularly

in Macedonia;
as at Philippi and other places: though the Gospel was first preached there, and they had received it, and a Gospel church state was formed there; yet these were more forward in the exercise of grace and discharge of duty, and were even ensamples to them to copy after; so the first are sometimes last, and the last first:

and Achaia;
another part of Greece, the metropolis of which was Corinth, where there also was a very considerable church; but these saints at Thessalonica set them an example in many things, and particularly in acts of beneficence and liberality, being one of the churches of Macedonia spoken of in ( 2 Corinthians 8:1 ) .

1 Thessalonians 1:7 In-Context

5 Our good news didn't come to you only in words. It came with power. It came with the Holy Spirit's help. He gave us complete faith in what we were preaching. You know how we lived among you for your good.

6 We and the Lord were your examples. You followed us. You suffered terribly. Even so, you welcomed our message with the joy the Holy Spirit gives.

7 So you became a model to all the believers in the lands of Macedonia and Achaia.

8 The Lord's message rang out from you. That was true not only in Macedonia and Achaia. Your faith in God has also become known everywhere. So we don't have to say anything about it.

9 The believers themselves report the kind of welcome you gave us. They tell about how you turned away from statues of gods to serve the living and true God.