Reading for October 22nd

 Read 1 Thessalonians 1.2-10. In verses 2-5: 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. Chose, see Deut 4.37; 7.6-8; 10.14-15; 14.2. In 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 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 suggest, contrary to Acts 17.4, that the converts were gentiles. See 2.14. Comments or Questions