1 Thessalonians

The apostles Paul, Sylvanus, and Timothy express gratitude to God for the Thessalonian church, acknowledging their faith, hardship, charity, and enduring hope in Jesus Christ. The church has become a model for believers in Macedonia and Achaia, spreading the Word of the Lord to every place, and their faith has advanced to the point where no further instruction is needed. The apostles' ministry among the Thessalonians was genuine and selfless, motivated by a desire to please God rather than men, and they took pride and joy in the Thessalonians' faith. The apostle sent Timothy to confirm the faith of the Thessalonians and to exhort them during tribulations, and when Timothy returned, he reported the Thessalonians' faith, charity, and good remembrance of the apostle. The apostle prays for the Lord to multiply the Thessalonians' charity and confirm their hearts in sanctity before God, and he instructs them to live honorably, abstaining from fornication and lustful passions, and to console one another with the hope of being with the Lord always.