1 Thessalonians 1 vs 9
2
1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; Note 14 at 1 Th. 1:9: The phrase "they themselves" refers to all those who had heard the testimony of the Thessalonians. They all bore witness to the transformation that the Word of God had produced in the Thessalonians. Note 15 at 1 Th. 1:9: When Paul spoke of the "entering in we had unto" the Thessalonians, he was speaking about the kind of reception they had given him. They had received him and the gospel he preached completely and became followers of him and of Christ v. ! #so much so, that Paul said everyone else would do well to imitate them see note $ at v. !, p. %&&' . What made the Thessalonians di(erent than others that Paul ministered to) What did the Thessalonians do to e(ect this great change) Paul describes it in this verse by speaking of how they turned to God and served *im. The +nglish word "turning" was translated from the Greek word +P -T +P*/ and was often used literally of someone who turned himself around 0t. $1&&2 0k. '1342 51332 6n. &%1&42 ev. %1%& , of one turning in repentance to God 7k. %8192 :cts 31%$2 $13'2 :cts &!1%5, &4 , and to the Christian faith :cts %%1&%2 %91%'2 %'1%$2 & Cor. 31%!2 % Th. %1$2 % Pet. &1&' . t was also used of 6ohn the ;aptist<s message in turning people unto the 7ord 7k. %1%!# %8 . t is translated in the =6> by the +nglish words "converted" 0t. %31%'2 0k. 91%&2 7k. &&13&2 6n. %&1942 :cts &51&82 6as. '1%$#&4 , "return" 0t. &91%5 and "turn back again" 0k. %31%! . ?otice also that the Thessalonians turned @rst T/ G/A and secondly B /0 A/7-. t<s possible for someone to be so dissatis@ed with what he is e periencing that he decides to turn away from that lifestyle but not turn to God. True conversion is not Dust a turning from something but a turning to God. The phrase "from idols" suggests that most of these Christians were Gentiles that were converted from a pagan culture. ?e t, the Thessalonians turned to -+ >+ the living and true God. The word "serve" is the Greek word A/E7+E/ and means "to serve, to yield to, and to give one<s self up to" Thayer . n Greek this word is in the present tense an carries the idea that the service is absolute, constantly, a continuous proces and habit. There is no time that 6esus Christ is not our 7ord and we are not *is servants see note % at om. %1% , p. 894 .
description
nn
Transcript of 1 Thessalonians 1 vs 9
1 Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;Note 14 at 1 Th. 1:9:The phrase "they themselves" refers to all those who had heard the testimony of the Thessalonians. They all bore witness to the transformation that the Word of God had produced in the Thessalonians.Note 15 at 1 Th. 1:9:When Paul spoke of the "entering in we had unto" the Thessalonians, he was speaking about the kind of reception they had given him. They had received him and the gospel he preached completely and became followers of him and of Christ (v. 6)-so much so, that Paul said everyone else would do well to imitate them (seenote 9 at v. 6, p. 1225).What made the Thessalonians different than others that Paul ministered to? What did the Thessalonians do to effect this great change? Paul describes it in this verse by speaking of how they turned to God and served Him.The English word "turning" was translated from the Greek word EPISTREPHO and was often used literally of someone who turned himself around (Mt. 9:22; Mk. 5:30; 8:33; Jn. 21:20; Rev. 1:12), of one turning in repentance to God (Lk. 17:4; Acts 3:19; 9:35; Acts 26:18, 20), and to the Christian faith (Acts 11:21; 14:15; 15:19; 2 Cor. 3:16; 1 Th. 1:9; 1 Pet. 2:25). It was also used of John the Baptist's message in turning people unto the Lord (Lk. 1:16-17). It is translated in the KJV by the English words "converted" (Mt. 13:15; Mk. 4:12; Lk. 22:32; Jn. 12:40; Acts 28:27; Jas. 5:19-20), "return" (Mt. 24:18), and "turn back again" (Mk. 13:16).Notice also that the Thessalonians turned first TO GOD and secondly FROM IDOLS. It's possible for someone to be so dissatisfied with what he is experiencing that he decides to turn away from that lifestyle but not turn to God. True conversion is not just a turning from something but a turning to God.The phrase "from idols" suggests that most of these Christians were Gentiles that were converted from a pagan culture.Next, the Thessalonians turned to SERVE the living and true God. The word "serve" is the Greek word DOULEUO and means "to serve, to yield to, and to give one's self up to" (Thayer). In Greek this word is in the present tense and carries the idea that the service is absolute, constantly, a continuous process and habit. There is no time that Jesus Christ is not our Lord and we are not His servants (seenote 1 at Rom. 1:1, p. 740).The Thessalonians turned to the LIVING and TRUE GOD as contrasted to the dead idols which they were serving. The term "true God" means real and genuine as opposed to that which is fictitious and counterfeit (2 Chr. 15:3; Jer. 10:10; Jn. 17:3; 1 Jn. 5:20).
