King James Version

What Does 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Mean?

1 Thessalonians 1:3 in the King James Version says “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in th... — study this verse from 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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;

1 Thessalonians 1:3 · KJV


Context

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.

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. beloved: or, beloved of God, your election

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ—this verse introduces Paul's 'faith-hope-love' triad (also 1 Cor 13:13; Col 1:4-5), here with distinctive emphases. Each virtue produces action: ergon tēs pisteōs (ἔργον τῆς πίστεως, 'work produced by faith'), kopos tēs agapēs (κόπος τῆς ἀγάπης, 'toil produced by love'), and hypomonē tēs elpidos (ὑπομονὴ τῆς ἐλπίδος, 'endurance produced by hope'). Faith works, love toils to exhaustion, hope endures.

In the sight of God and our Father (emprosthen tou Theou kai Patros hēmōn, ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν)—their virtues are exercised coram Deo, 'before the face of God.' The Thessalonians' faith wasn't theoretical but active in works (James 2:17); their love wasn't sentimental but costly (kopos implies wearying labor); their hope wasn't passive but produced perseverance under persecution. This trinity of graces flows from union with Christ—notice 'in our Lord Jesus Christ,' the source and sphere of all Christian virtue.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Thessalonians demonstrated these virtues despite brutal persecution. After Paul left, local Jews and thugs had attacked Jason's house, dragging believers before city authorities with charges of treason against Caesar (Acts 17:5-9). Yet their faith continued producing works, their love kept laboring despite cost, and their hope in Christ's return sustained endurance. This real-world testing proved the genuineness of their conversion from idols (1:9).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does each element of the faith-hope-love triad produce specific action in your life rather than remaining abstract belief?
  2. What 'labour of love' in your life has been costly enough to qualify as <em>kopos</em> (toiling to exhaustion)?
  3. How does living 'in the sight of God our Father' change your motivation for perseverance compared to human recognition?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
ἀδιαλείπτως1 of 28

without ceasing

G89

uninterruptedly, i.e., without omission (on an appropriate occasion)

μνημονεύοντες2 of 28

Remembering

G3421

to exercise memory, i.e., recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse

ὑμῶν3 of 28

your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

τοῦ4 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔργου5 of 28

work

G2041

toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act

τῆς6 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστεως7 of 28

of faith

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

καὶ8 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῦ9 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόπου10 of 28

labour

G2873

a cut, i.e., (by analogy) toil (as reducing the strength), literally or figuratively; by implication, pains

τῆς11 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγάπης12 of 28

of love

G26

love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

καὶ13 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῆς14 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὑπομονῆς15 of 28

patience

G5281

cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy

τῆς16 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐλπίδος17 of 28

of hope

G1680

expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence

τοῦ18 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κυρίου19 of 28

Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ἡμῶν20 of 28

in our

G2257

of (or from) us

Ἰησοῦ21 of 28

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Χριστοῦ22 of 28

Christ

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

ἔμπροσθεν23 of 28

in the sight

G1715

in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)

τοῦ24 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ25 of 28

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καὶ26 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πατρὸς27 of 28

Father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἡμῶν28 of 28

in our

G2257

of (or from) us


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Thessalonians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Thessalonians 1:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Thessalonians 1:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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