1 Thessalonians 1 1

1 Thessalonians 1:1 kjv

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 nkjv

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church 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 Thessalonians 1:1 niv

Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 esv

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 nlt

This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God give you grace and peace.

1 Thessalonians 1 verses

1 Thessalonians 1 1 Meaning

The first verse of 1 Thessalonians serves as the authoritative salutation of the letter. It identifies the letter's three senders—Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy—and explicitly names the recipients: the believers in Thessalonica, identifying them as "the church of the Thessalonians." Crucially, it defines their foundational identity as being "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." The verse then pronounces a classic apostolic benediction, wishing "grace and peace" upon them, with these divine blessings originating jointly "from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." This greeting immediately establishes the letter's divine authority, the core identity of the Christian community, and the theological source of all spiritual well-being.

1 Thessalonians 1 1 Context

This verse initiates Paul’s First Epistle to the Thessalonians, a letter written during his second missionary journey, likely from Corinth (c. AD 50-51). The letter addresses a vibrant young church established in Thessalonica, a prominent Roman city in Macedonia. Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy had spent only a short time establishing this community (Acts 17:1-9) before being forced to leave due to persecution instigated by hostile Jews and agitated Gentile citizens. Despite their brief presence, the Thessalonians had received the word with great readiness and faced immediate opposition, demonstrating remarkable faith and endurance (1 Thess 1:3-10; 2:14; 3:1-5). Timothy had recently returned to Paul, bringing back a positive report of their continued faith, love, and hope amidst suffering (1 Thess 3:6-8), prompting Paul to write this letter of thanksgiving, commendation, encouragement, and correction, particularly regarding issues related to Christ's return. This opening verse establishes the apostolic authority behind the letter and grounds the church's very identity in their allegiance to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, implicitly contrasting it with the dominant civic and imperial cults of Roman Thessalonica.

1 Thessalonians 1 1 Word analysis

• Paul (Παῦλος - Paulos): The principal author and Apostle to the Gentiles (Rom 11:13). His Roman name reflects his primary mission to the non-Jewish world. By leading the list, he signifies his primary leadership and authority in this letter.
• and Silvanus (καὶ Σιλουανός - kai Silouanos): The Latinized form of Silas. A key companion and co-worker of Paul on his second missionary journey, identified also as a prophet (Acts 15:32). His inclusion emphasizes the collective apostolic witness and the unity of their teaching. He also may have served as the amanuensis (scribe) for this letter.
• and Timothy (καὶ Τιμόθεος - kai Timotheos): Paul's beloved protégé and spiritual son (1 Tim 1:2), deeply trusted and integral to Paul’s ministry. He had recently visited the Thessalonian church, and his positive report prompted the writing of this letter, making his inclusion particularly pertinent.
• unto the church (τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ - tē ekklēsia): Refers to "the assembly" or "the called-out ones." In the New Testament, this term signifies not merely a human gathering or institution, but the community of believers chosen and set apart by God (Eph 1:22-23). It denotes a divinely constituted body.
• of the Thessalonians (Θεσσαλονικέων - Thessalonikeōn): Identifies the specific geographical location and the people forming this assembly. This highlights that the universal church manifests in distinct, local expressions.
• in God the Father (ἐν Θεῷ Πατρὶ - en Theō Patri): This crucial phrase denotes the sphere, identity, or existence of the church. Their foundational being and allegiance are not "in" the city, its culture, or any earthly institution, but profoundly rooted "in" God the Father. This emphasizes His paternity, headship, and intimate relationship with His people.
• and the Lord Jesus Christ (καὶ Κυρίῳ Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ - kai Kyriō Iēsou Christō):
  • Lord (Κύριος - Kyrios): A title asserting Jesus’ supreme divine authority and sovereignty, used frequently in the Septuagint to translate Yahweh. For the Thessalonian believers, proclaiming Jesus as Lord stood in stark contrast to acknowledging Caesar as Lord, a significant act of defiance against the Roman cult.
  • Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): His personal, human name, meaning "Yahweh saves." It points to His redemptive work and historical manifestation.
  • Christ (Χριστός - Christos): Greek for "Anointed One" (Hebrew: Messiah), referring to His divine office as the prophesied deliverer, King, and High Priest. The phrase "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" together signifies the Trinitarian foundation of the church’s identity and existence—united to God through Jesus Christ.
• Grace (χάρις - charis): God’s undeserved favor, His benevolent action towards humanity. It is the active display of divine kindness and generosity, which is the very source of salvation and ongoing spiritual life (Eph 2:8).
• be unto you (ὑμῖν - hymin): A direct address, making the blessing personal to the recipients.
• and peace (καὶ εἰρήνη - kai eirēnē): Greek for eirene, conceptually echoing the Hebrew shalom. More than mere absence of conflict, it signifies holistic well-being, wholeness, reconciliation, harmony, prosperity, and spiritual flourishing, particularly the state of right relationship with God, oneself, and others. This peace is a result of grace and reconciliation through Christ (Rom 5:1).
• from God our Father (ἀπὸ Θεοῦ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν - apo Theou Patros hēmōn): Establishes the divine origin and source of "grace and peace." The phrase "our Father" underscores the intimate, familial relationship believers share with God through adoption by Christ.
• and the Lord Jesus Christ (καὶ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ - kai Kyriou Iēsou Christou): This vital addition places Jesus Christ as a co-equal source of grace and peace alongside God the Father. This is a powerful declaration of Christ’s divinity and co-equality within the Godhead, signifying that blessings flow directly from both the Father and the Son.

1 Thessalonians 1 1 Bonus section

• Contrast with Paganism: The phrasing "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" subtly yet powerfully contrasts the Christian community's identity with that of cults dedicated to Roman emperors or various gods, whose adherents were identified "in Caesar" or "in Athena." The Christian's allegiance is exclusively to the living God and His Son, setting them apart distinctly in the Greco-Roman world.
• Standard Christian Salutation: Paul revolutionized common Hellenistic letter greetings (which usually began with "Greetings!") by integrating theological depth, transforming it into "Grace and Peace." This distinct Christian benediction became a hallmark of early church correspondence, carrying deep theological meaning.
• Collaborative Ministry: The joint authorship (Paul, Silvanus, Timothy) reinforces the New Testament emphasis on collective, rather than individual, ministry. It shows the unity and shared responsibility within the apostolic band for proclaiming the Gospel and shepherding churches.

1 Thessalonians 1 1 Commentary

The inaugural verse of 1 Thessalonians is far more than a customary greeting; it's a condensed theological statement that frames the entire epistle. The communal authorship by Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy highlights not just individual authority, but a shared apostolic mission and common witness, strengthening the message to a vulnerable young church. The designation "the church of the Thessalonians" identifies the local expression of the universal body of Christ. Crucially, their defining identity is not their citizenship, ethnicity, or location, but their grounding "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." This radical claim directly countered the pervasive Roman and Hellenistic societal norms where allegiance was tied to political power or pagan deities. Their new existence "in God" meant belonging to a divinely authored community, with the triune God as their ultimate reality and authority. The joint declaration of "grace and peace"—a transformed Christian blessing replacing common secular greetings—signifies divine gifts rather than human wishes. Grace represents God's unmerited favor and enabling power, the fount of salvation. Peace signifies the holistic spiritual well-being and reconciliation with God that results from this grace. By sourcing these blessings from both "God our Father" and "the Lord Jesus Christ," the verse establishes Christ’s full deity and His co-equality with the Father as the Giver of all spiritual life and blessing, thereby grounding the Thessalonian believers firmly in the saving work of God the Father and the Son.

• Practical Usage Example: Understanding "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" helps believers recognize that their ultimate identity and security are not found in their nationality, profession, or achievements, but solely in their relationship with the divine. It prompts them to seek their values and direction from God, rather than prevailing cultural standards.