1 Thessalonians
Chapter 1
What Happens in This Chapter
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy write a letter to the group of Jesus-followers in the city of Thessalonica. They thank God for these people and remember their faith, love, and hope. They say the good news came to Thessalonica with power, and that the people welcomed it even while they suffered. News about their faith has spread to other places, and they now wait for God's Son, Jesus, to come from heaven.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
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.
1This letter is from Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. We write to the church in the city of Thessalonica. A church is a group of people who follow Jesus. You belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus give you kindness and peace.
2We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
2We always thank God for every one of you. We talk about you when we pray.
3Remembering 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;
3We keep remembering you as we stand before God our Father. Your trust in God shows up in your work. Your love makes you work hard. Your hope in our Lord Jesus keeps you going.
4Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
4Brothers and sisters, God loves you. We know that God chose you to be his.
The old English says "your election of God." That does not mean voting. It means God chose them.
5For 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.
5We brought you the good news about Jesus. It came with more than words. It came with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with strong certainty. You saw how we lived while we were with you. We lived that way to help you.
The old English says "Holy Ghost." Long ago, "ghost" simply meant spirit. It means the Holy Spirit.
6And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
6You began to live the way we live, and the way the Lord lives. You took in the message even while you were hurting badly. The Holy Spirit filled you with joy.
7So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
7So you became an example for everyone who believes in Macedonia and Achaia.
Macedonia and Achaia were two large areas of the country we now call Greece.
8For 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.
8The Lord's message rang out from you into Macedonia and Achaia. News of your trust in God has spread to every place. So we do not need to say anything more.
9For 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;
9People tell us how kindly you welcomed us. They tell how you turned away from idols and turned to God. Idols are statues that people bow down to. Now you serve the God who is alive and real.
10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
10You are waiting for God's Son to come from heaven. God raised him from the dead. He is Jesus. He saves us from the anger that is coming.
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