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1 Thessalonians 1:5

in 1 Thessalonians 1

because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

how that our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; even as ye know what manner of men we showed ourselves toward you for your sake.

KJV

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

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This verse in 1 Thessalonians 1

Commentary

4 notes on this verse
For our gospel came not unto you - When first preached; Act 17:1-3. Paul speaks of it as “our gospel,” because it was the gospel preached by him and Silas and Timothy; comp 2Th 2:14; 2Ti 2:8. He did not mean to say that the gospel had been originated by him, but only that he had delivered the good news of salvation to them.

This site's exposition

your election of God

on 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

Paul claims to know their election, and verse 5 gives his evidence: the gospel came not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance, God's visible working in the preaching and in its reception. The order runs from what was seen to what it proved, the fruit demonstrating the root. What manner of men we were among you adds the preachers' lives as part of the message's credentials.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

A commentator

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

And these signs, if not the miraculous gifts, always attend the preaching of the gospel, unless it be in vain: neither are the extraordinary operations of the Holy Ghost ever wholly withheld, where the gospel is preached with power, and men are alive to God.

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

Note, Wherever the gospel comes in power, it is to be attributed to the operation of the Holy Ghost; and unless the Spirit of God accompany the word of God, to render it effectual by his power, it will be to us but as a dead letter; and the letter killeth, it is the Spirit that giveth life. (3.) The gospel came to them in much assurance.

The words behind it

31 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

1 Corinthians 4:20For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.43 works1 Corinthians 2:4My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,30 worksRomans 15:13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.19 works1 Corinthians 1:18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.15 works2 Timothy 3:14But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them.15 works2 Thessalonians 3:7–9For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you,12 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
Mark 16:20And they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked through them, confirming His word by the signs that accompanied it.11 works1 Corinthians 2:2–5For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.10 worksEphesians 1:19and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength,8 works2 Thessalonians 2:14To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.7 works1 Thessalonians 2:13And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as the true word of God—the word which is now at work in you who believe.7 works2 Corinthians 4:7Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.7 works2 Corinthians 4:3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.7 works1 Peter 1:12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.6 worksHebrews 6:18–19Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.6 worksGalatians 3:2–5I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?6 worksColossians 2:2that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,6 works1 Thessalonians 2:10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.6 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    1 Thessalonians 2:13

    And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as the true word of God—the…

    it leads to

    • Hebrews 4:12

      For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

    • Romans 10:17

      Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

    • 1 Peter 1:23

      For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

    • 1 Peter 1:25

      but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.

    • 1 Peter 2:2

      Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

  • Through

    Mark 16:20

    And they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked through them, confirming His word by the signs that accompanied it.

    it leads to

    • 1 Corinthians 2:4–5

      My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,

    • Acts 14:3

      So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who affirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

    • Acts 8:4–6

      Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

Where this verse is studied

About 1 Thessalonians

The Ascension — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)
The Ascension — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)
1 Thessalonians: the study guide →Read 1 Thessalonians 1 →

This page draws on Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); John Calvin, Commentary on 1 Thessalonians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.

Read on in 1 Thessalonians 1 →