1 Thessalonians 1 3

1 Thessalonians 1:3 kjv

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

1 Thessalonians 1:3 nkjv

remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,

1 Thessalonians 1:3 niv

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 esv

remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 nlt

As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1 verses

1 Thessalonians 1 3 Meaning

This verse encapsulates the three cardinal Christian virtues—faith, love, and hope—as they are actively manifested in the lives of the Thessalonian believers. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy commend them for their unwavering commitment, expressing their constant remembrance and thanksgiving to God. It signifies a faith that demonstrates itself through tangible actions, a love that prompts laborious service, and a hope that fuels steadfast endurance, all rooted in their relationship with Jesus Christ and lived authentically before God the Father.

1 Thessalonians 1 3 Context

First Thessalonians begins with Paul's deep affection and thankfulness for the Thessalonian believers. Chapter 1 serves as an opening of profound thanksgiving and commendation for their vibrant spiritual condition. They had turned from idols to serve the living and true God and to await His Son from heaven, making them a significant example to believers throughout Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thess 1:8-9). This particular verse, 1:3, highlights the foundational virtues evident in their lives that stood out to Paul and his companions: their "work of faith," "labour of love," and "patience of hope." The letter was written to a relatively young church, likely facing persecution (Acts 17), making their steadfastness remarkable. Paul seeks to encourage them, affirm their authentic conversion, and teach them further about living a holy life and the coming return of Christ. The virtues mentioned are not mere abstract qualities but are seen as active manifestations stemming from their conversion and lived out "in our Lord Jesus Christ," making them distinct from pagan or purely humanistic virtues, and lived "in the sight of God and our Father."

1 Thessalonians 1 3 Word analysis

• remembering (μνημονεύοντες - mnēmoneuontes): An active participle, indicating a continuous, ongoing act of recall. This is not just a casual memory, but an active, thoughtful consideration, implying deep appreciation and thanksgiving on the part of Paul and his team. It denotes a habitual state of mind regarding the Thessalonians.
• without ceasing (ἀδιαλείπτως - adialeiptōs): An adverb meaning "uninterruptedly," "constantly," or "perpetually." It emphasizes the continual and unfailing nature of their remembrance, suggesting they frequently pray and give thanks for the Thessalonians' spiritual progress, highlighting the depth of the apostles' pastoral care.
• your: Specifies the focus of the apostles' remembrance is directly on the Thessalonian believers.
• work (ἔργου - ergou): A noun referring to deeds, actions, or accomplishments. This word highlights that faith is not merely an intellectual assent or passive belief, but it must be evidenced through observable actions and practical living. This aligns with the biblical emphasis on faith being a transformative force leading to obedience and good works (Jas 2:17). It indicates a dynamic, active faith.
• faith (πίστεως - pisteōs): A noun meaning trust, conviction, or faithfulness. Here, it signifies the saving faith in Christ that transforms one's life. The genitive "of faith" implies that faith is the source or the motivating power behind the "work." It is "faith at work" or "faith expressed in action."
• and: A simple conjunction connecting the three spiritual attributes, showing their interconnectedness.
• labour (κόπου - kopou): A noun implying strenuous toil, exhaustive effort, or hard work that leads to weariness. It suggests that love is not a passive emotion but an active, self-sacrificial exertion for the benefit of others, even to the point of personal cost or fatigue (e.g., in ministry, serving the needy, enduring persecution for others).
• love (ἀγάπης - agapēs): A noun denoting divine, selfless, benevolent love; the characteristic love of God (1 Jn 4:8). The phrase "labour of love" indicates that this deep, Christ-like love is the driving force and nature of their strenuous service. It is "love that toils."
• patience (ὑπομονῆς - hypomonēs): A noun meaning steadfastness, endurance, or perseverance, particularly under trials or suffering. It speaks of the ability to remain firm, courageous, and constant despite opposition or difficulty, without yielding.
• hope (ἐλπίδος - elpidos): A noun meaning confident expectation or a positive anticipation of future good, especially concerning eternal salvation and the return of Christ (Tit 2:13). The genitive "of hope" signifies that hope is the foundation or power source for their "patience." It is "hope that endures."
• in our Lord Jesus Christ (ἐν τῷ κυρίῳ Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ - en tō kyriō Iēsou Christō): This prepositional phrase indicates the sphere, source, or foundation for these virtues. These are not merely humanistic moral qualities but are uniquely Christian virtues, originating from and sustained by their spiritual union with Jesus Christ. He is the essence and power of their faith, love, and hope.
• in the sight of (ἔμπροσθεν - emprosthen): A preposition meaning "before," "in the presence of," or "in the view of." It implies an open, transparent, and public display. These virtues were evident not only to human observers but also, crucially, to God.
• God and our Father: Identifies the divine audience for these virtues. This indicates that their work, labor, and patience were authentic and pleasing to God. It highlights the believers' relationship with God as their Father through Christ, underscoring intimacy and accountability.

Words-group analysis:

• remembering without ceasing: This phrase emphasizes the apostles' persistent and thankful prayer for the Thessalonians, highlighting their constant pastoral care and joy over the believers' spiritual state. It demonstrates genuine spiritual connection and admiration.
• work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope: This iconic triad describes the dynamic essence of the Christian life. It shows that faith is not stagnant but active, love is not sentimental but sacrificial, and hope is not passive dreaming but a resilient endurance that triumphs over hardship. Each virtue is connected to a specific mode of active living. The genitive constructions (e.g., "of faith") suggest either source (faith produces work), characteristic (a working kind of faith), or effect (the result of faith is work). All three represent the integrated outworking of genuine conversion.
• in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father: This final phrase anchors the spiritual virtues firmly in Christ and validates them before God. It declares that these qualities are divine in origin and approval, distinguishing them from human efforts. Christ is the empowering source, and God is the all-seeing Witness and ultimateRecipient of honor.

1 Thessalonians 1 3 Bonus section

• Pauline Triad: This verse brilliantly encapsulates the Pauline triad of faith, hope, and love (cf. 1 Cor 13:13; Col 1:4-5), illustrating how these abstract virtues translate into tangible, observable characteristics of a genuine Christian walk. While 1 Corinthians places love last as the greatest, 1 Thessalonians often places hope third (1:3, 5:8) possibly because the letter significantly deals with eschatology and the comfort derived from the Lord's return.
• Perfection of Qualities: The "of" in each phrase (work of faith, labour of love, patience of hope) functions as a genitive of quality or origin. It describes the kind of work (characterized by faith), the source of the labor (prompted by love), and the basis for endurance (derived from hope). It shows a profound theological and practical integration of these virtues into everyday living.
• Authenticity in Trial: Given the historical context of persecution in Thessalonica, these qualities were not merely academic but forged in the crucible of adversity. Their steadfastness was a testament to the Holy Spirit's power at work within them (1 Thess 1:5-6), confirming the validity of their conversion and making them an example for other believers (1 Thess 1:7).

1 Thessalonians 1 3 Commentary

This concise verse paints a vivid picture of authentic Christianity. It moves beyond mere theological assertions to practical manifestation, commending the Thessalonians for living out their faith dynamically. Their "work of faith" points to their responsive obedience and courageous proclamation in the face of persecution (1 Thess 1:5-9). Their "labour of love" speaks to their sacrificial service towards each other and others, despite hardship, showing genuine care beyond superficial sentiment. And their "patience of hope" highlights their steadfast endurance and resilience, fueled by the sure expectation of Christ's return and their future inheritance. These intertwined virtues, rooted entirely "in our Lord Jesus Christ," formed the unmistakable evidence of God's hand on their lives. That these were lived "in the sight of God and our Father" affirms their authenticity and their pleasing nature to God, serving as a powerful example not only to nearby churches but also to future generations of believers.