1.

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.

Verse 1
Silvanus, Silas. He was with Timothy, the companion of Paul, in preaching the gospel at Thessalonica, and had since joined him at Corinth (Acts 17:14,Acts 18:5.)

2.

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

3.

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;

4.

Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

Verse 4
Knowing--your election; having abundant evidence of it by the proofs mentioned above.

5.

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

Verse 5
In power; with great effect.--In much assurance; with convincing evidence.

6.

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

Verse 6
In much affliction, with joy, &c.; that is, having joyfully received the word, though in circumstances of great trial and affliction. For the nature of these circumstances, see Acts 17:5-10.

7.

So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

8.

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

9.

For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

Verse 9
What manner of entering in we had, &c.; that is, what was the effect of our labors. The meaning is, that although Paul had been violently driven away from Thessalonica, so that he had no opportunity personally to witness the fruits of his labor, still the successful results which followed, had been fully made known to him by general report.

10.

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.