King James Version
What Does 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Mean?
“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;”
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.
Topics in This Verse
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(3) **Faith . . . love . . .** **hope.**—in this first of his writings, St. Paul has already fixed upon the three great *abiding* principles (1Corinthians 13:13) of the Christian life, and the forms in which they mainly exhibit themselves. The genitive in such phrases as “work of faith,” etc., is almost equivalent to a very emphatic adjective—“faithful activity,” *i.e., *a work characterised by faith and prompted by faith, such as faith alone could have enabled you to accomplish; so “labour of love” is similarly equivalent to “loving labour,” laborious toil undertaken for love’s sake, and done in the spirit of love; and “patience of hope” to “hopeful endurance of trials,” a steadfast endurance which is grounded upon and cheered by hope.
**In our Lord.**—More correctly, *of* The words in the Greek go with all three clauses: He is the object of the faith and love, as well as of the hope. This “hope of our Lord” includes, but is not limited to, the hope of His second Advent.
**In the sight of God** goes closely with “remembering,” and is equivalent to “in prayer.”
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge