title: 1 - 2 Thessalonians (Believers Church Bible Commentary)
author:  Jacob W. Elias 
description: Elias's technique of listening in on the conversation between Paul and the Thessalonian congregation is innovative, effective, and engaging. Students and pastors seeking a fair presentation of various sides of the scholarly debate will be rewarded, and the believers church movement will find much here to sustain its efforts. --Robert Jewett, Harry R. Kendall Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary<br /><br />Elias has done an impressive job of remaining faithful to the text while making 1 and 2 Thessalonians accessible to pastors, teachers, and lay Christians. I recommend Elias's commentary. --Reta Halteman Finger, Eastern Mennonite Seminary
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  1 Thessalonians
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God
  the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our
  Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  
  
  
  
  
  1:2 We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our
  prayers,
  
  
  
  
  
  1:3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and
  patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.
  
  
  
  
  
  1:4 We know, brothers {The word for "brothers" here and where context allows
  may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} loved
  by God, that you are chosen,
  
  
  
  
  
  1:5 and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power,
  and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we
  showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.
  
  
  
  
  
  1:6 You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in
  much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
  
  
  
  
  
  1:7 so that you b