Reading for August 4th

Read 1 Thessalonians 1.2-10 Thanksgiving.
Paul highlights his consistent prayers, signs of the congregation's ongoing life, and God's
initiative in the effectiveness of the gospel and Paul's mission team.
In verse 3 faith...love...hope, see 5.8; Rom 5.1-5; 1 Cor 13.13; Gal 5.5-6.
In verse 4 on the kinship expression brothers and sisters, see Deut 15.3.
Beloved by God, see Deut 33.12.
Chosen, see Deut 4.37; 7.6-8; 10.14-15; 14.2.
In verses 1.6-2.16 The suffering and endurance of the congregation.
Three sections depict how the Thessalonians suffered with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit (1.6-10), the endurance of the mission team (2.1-12), and what the Thessalonians suffered (2.13-16).
In verses 1.6-10 How the Thessalonians suffered.
In verse 6 persecution (3.3-4, 7), suffering or affliction, the woes that precede the
consummation of the new age.
In verse 8 sounded forth, the Greek implies continuous spreading of the word.
In verses 9-10 this may be a formal statement of belief.
Turned to God from idols suggests, contrary to Acts 17.4, that the converts were gentiles.
See 2.14.
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