Kehillah in Thessalonika I 1:7

7 With the result that you became a mofet (portent), even a role model for all the ma’aminim (believers) in the territory of Macedonia [T.N. a Roman province in northern Greece] and in Achaia [T.N. a Roman province of southern Greece].

Kehillah in Thessalonika I 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 ) .

Kehillah in Thessalonika I 1:7 In-Context

5 For our Besuras HaGeulah did not come to you in mere locution but indeed in gevurah (miraculous power) and in the Ruach HaKodesh and in full bitachon (confidence), just as you have da’as what sort of men we were among you for your sake.

6 And you became imitators of us and of Adoneinu, having received the Dvar Hashem (the Word of the L-rd) in much redifah (persecution) with the simcha of the Ruach HaKodesh,

7 With the result that you became a mofet (portent), even a role model for all the ma’aminim (believers) in the territory of Macedonia [T.N. a Roman province in northern Greece] and in Achaia [T.N. a Roman province of southern Greece].

8 For from you the Dvar Hashem has resounded not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but also in every place to which your emunah in Hashem has gone forth, with the result that we have no need to say anything.

9 For they themselves (the ma’aminim b’Moshiach in Macedonia and Achaia) are reporting about us, what sort of initial reception we had with you, and how you made teshuva, turning to Hashem from elilim (idols), from avodah zarah (idol worship), turning to worship the Elohim Chayyim and Elohei Emes (the Living G-d and the True G-d),