1 Thessalonians 1 6

1 Thessalonians 1:6 kjv

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 nkjv

And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

1 Thessalonians 1:6 niv

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 esv

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

1 Thessalonians 1:6 nlt

So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 1 verses

1 Thessalonians 1 6 Meaning

First Thessalonians 1:6 describes the profound transformation and faithfulness of the Thessalonian believers. It highlights that they became followers of both the apostles (Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy) and the Lord Jesus Himself. This imitation was demonstrated by their acceptance of the Gospel message—the Word—even though doing so brought them immense suffering and tribulation. Remarkably, they received this Word not with sadness, but with supernatural joy, a joy specifically empowered and inspired by the Holy Spirit. This verse encapsulates the paradoxical experience of the early Christian faith: profound joy flourishing amidst severe persecution, serving as a powerful testimony to others.

1 Thessalonians 1 6 Context

First Thessalonians chapter 1 introduces Paul's gratitude and commendation for the church in Thessalonica. Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy immediately acknowledge the believers' work produced by faith, their labor prompted by love, and their endurance inspired by hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. This specific verse, 1:6, elaborates on their remarkable faith by highlighting how their conversion and ongoing discipleship directly mirrored the experiences of the apostles who ministered to them, and ultimately, of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Their courageous reception of the Gospel amidst significant local persecution validated the authenticity of their faith, setting them apart as an exemplary body of believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The historical context reveals that the apostles had faced violent opposition in Thessalonica (Acts 17), and the new converts also endured severe tribulation from both Jewish opposition and pagan neighbors, making their Spirit-given joy a stark and powerful contrast to their difficult circumstances.

1 Thessalonians 1 6 Word analysis

• καὶ ὑμεῖς (kai hymeis) – "And you" / "You yourselves." This conjunction connects the Thessalonians' actions directly to what was previously stated about them (v. 3-5) and also implies a connection to Paul and his companions. It draws a contrast or comparison to the apostles' own example, suggesting their responsive alignment.
• μιμηταὶ ἡμῶν ἐγενήθητε (mimētai hēmōn egenēthēte) – "became imitators of us."
  • Mimētai (μιμηταὶ): Means "imitators" or "followers." It denotes a deep identification and emulation of an example. This isn't superficial copying but an earnest desire to live out the same principles and lifestyle observed in others.
  • Hēmōn (ἡμῶν): "of us," referring to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. The apostles served as concrete examples of living the Gospel, enduring suffering, and manifesting joy.
  • Egenēthēte (ἐγενήθητε): "you became." An aorist verb, indicating a definite past action. Their imitation was a real, demonstrable reality, not just a future goal or a theoretical concept.
• καὶ τοῦ Κυρίου (kai tou Kyriou) – "and of the Lord." This crucial addition immediately elevates the example from mere human imitation to divine imitation. While they followed Paul's example, Paul himself was always pointing to Christ. Thus, the ultimate imitation is of the Lord Jesus, who Himself suffered and demonstrated steadfast joy (Heb 12:2). This ensures that their faith is grounded in Christ, not merely in the apostles.
• δεξάμενοι τὸν λόγον (dexamenoi ton logon) – "having received the word."
  • Dexamenoi (δεξάμενοι): An aorist participle, meaning "having welcomed," "having accepted," or "having received hospitably." It implies a decisive, intentional, and favorable reception of the message, distinguishing them from those who rejected it. It’s an active embracing, not a passive hearing.
  • Ton logon (τὸν λόγον): "the word." This refers specifically to the Gospel, the message of salvation in Christ preached by Paul and his companions.
• ἐν θλίψει πολλῇ (en thlipsei pollē) – "in much affliction" / "in much tribulation."
  • Thlipsis (θλίψει): Means "pressure," "distress," "tribulation," or "affliction." It often refers to outward persecution, difficulties, and physical suffering. The context in Acts 17 confirms that their conversion coincided with immediate, intense opposition.
  • Pollē (πολλῇ): "much," "great." This adjective emphasizes the significant degree or intensity of the suffering they experienced. Their reception of the Word was not easy or convenient.
• μετὰ χαρᾶς Πνεύματος Ἁγίου (meta charas Pneumatos Hagiou) – "with joy of the Holy Spirit."
  • Chara (χαρᾶς): "joy." This is not natural human happiness, which is often tied to circumstances, but a deeper, spiritual gladness that can exist independently of, and even contrary to, outward conditions. It’s a divine attribute.
  • Pneumatos Hagiou (Πνεύματος Ἁγίου): "of the Holy Spirit." This identifies the Holy Spirit as the direct source and giver of this joy. It signifies a supernatural, divine endowment, which explains the paradox of joy in suffering. The Spirit empowers believers to rejoice even in dire circumstances, validating the authenticity and power of their faith and conversion. This specific phrasing highlights that the joy wasn't something they naturally mustered but was an outflow of the Spirit's presence and work within them.

1 Thessalonians 1 6 Bonus section

The paradoxical nature of "joy in tribulation" (Rom 5:3; Jas 1:2) is a recurring theme in the New Testament and is central to understanding mature Christian faith. It's not a masochistic embrace of pain but a confident assurance that God is sovereign, working even through suffering for a greater good. The Spirit's role here is crucial; without His indwelling and empowerment, such joy would be humanly impossible. The Thessalonians' experience challenges the notion that faith leads to an easy life, instead presenting it as a journey often marked by difficulty but imbued with divine comfort and joy. Their imitation of the apostles and the Lord underscores the practical, lived-out reality of discipleship, where spiritual formation involves embodying Christ-like attitudes even in adversity. This living testimony, empowered by the Spirit, became the foundation of their renowned reputation among other believers (1 Thes 1:7-8).

1 Thessalonians 1 6 Commentary

First Thessalonians 1:6 offers a profound statement on the authenticity of the Thessalonians' faith and the counter-intuitive nature of the Christian life. Their spiritual journey began with an active choice to "receive the word," signifying a true embrace of the Gospel message. What makes this reception so remarkable, and thus so commendable, is that it occurred "in much affliction." In the face of intense societal and perhaps personal opposition, their commitment did not wane. Instead, it was cemented. This immediate and substantial cost highlights the depth of their conversion and illustrates the transformative power of the Gospel that enabled them to endure.

The key paradox of the verse, and a hallmark of true Christian experience, is found in the phrase "with joy of the Holy Spirit." While human logic dictates that severe suffering should evoke sorrow or fear, the Thessalonians experienced an overriding spiritual joy. This joy was not a superficial cheerfulness but a deep, supernatural gladness that transcended their painful circumstances. The Holy Spirit is identified as the source of this joy, indicating that it is a divine gift, a "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal 5:22). This Spirit-empowered joy provided an internal strength that enabled them to withstand external pressures and stand firm in their new faith. It served as undeniable proof of God's work in them and the power of the Gospel. Their endurance, marked by Spirit-given joy amidst trials, not only solidified their own faith but also transformed them into a compelling example for believers throughout Macedonia and Achaia, as detailed in the subsequent verse (1:7).