King James Version

What Does 1 Thessalonians 1:5 Mean?

1 Thessalonians 1:5 in the King James Version says “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 kn... — study this verse from 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 · KJV


Context

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.

6

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

7

So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance—Paul distinguishes mere rhetoric from pneumatic reality. The phrase ouk en logō monon alla kai en dynamei (οὐκ ἐν λόγῳ μόνον ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐν δυνάμει, 'not in word only but also in power') echoes 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, contrasting human persuasion with divine demonstration. Dynamis (δύναμις, 'power') refers to the Spirit's convicting work; plērophoria (πληροφορία, 'full assurance') describes the deep conviction produced by Spirit-empowered preaching.

As ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake—Paul's character authenticated his message. The missionaries' suffering for the gospel (Acts 17:5-9) proved they weren't in it for gain. True gospel preaching combines doctrinal content ('word'), supernatural power (Holy Spirit conviction), deep persuasion (assurance), and credible messengers (godly character). The Thessalonians didn't merely assent to propositions—they experienced God's transforming power through the word.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Paul had come to Thessalonica from Philippi, where he and Silas had been beaten and imprisoned (Acts 16:22-24). Arriving with wounds still fresh, they preached boldly despite previous suffering. This suffering-servant pattern authenticated the message—why endure such cost for a lie? The Holy Spirit used Paul's courageous testimony to produce deep conviction in hearers. The rapid conversion of Thessalonians, including prominent women (Acts 17:4), demonstrated power beyond human persuasion.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you distinguish between intellectually accepted truth and Spirit-empowered conviction in your own faith experience?
  2. What role does the messenger's character and willingness to suffer play in validating the gospel's power?
  3. In what ways have you experienced the gospel as 'power' and not merely 'word' in your conversion or spiritual growth?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
ὅτι1 of 31

For

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

τὸ2 of 31
G3588

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

εὐαγγέλιον3 of 31

gospel

G2098

a good message, i.e., the gospel

ἡμῶν4 of 31

our

G2257

of (or from) us

οὐκ5 of 31

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐγενήθημεν6 of 31

came

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

εἰς7 of 31

unto

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ὑμᾶς8 of 31

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἐν9 of 31

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

λόγῳ10 of 31

word

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

μόνον11 of 31

only

G3440

merely

ἀλλὰ12 of 31

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

καὶ13 of 31

also

G2532

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

ἐν14 of 31

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

δυνάμει15 of 31

power

G1411

force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)

καὶ16 of 31

also

G2532

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

ἐν17 of 31

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

πνεύματι18 of 31

Ghost

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

ἁγίῳ19 of 31

the Holy

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

καὶ20 of 31

also

G2532

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

ἐν21 of 31

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

πληροφορίᾳ22 of 31

assurance

G4136

entire confidence

πολλῇ23 of 31

much

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

καθὼς24 of 31

as

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

οἴδατε25 of 31

ye know

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

οἷοι26 of 31

what manner of men

G3634

such or what sort of (as a correlation or exclamation); especially the neuter (adverbially) with negative, not so

ἐγενήθημεν27 of 31

came

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἐν28 of 31

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ὑμῖν29 of 31

you

G5213

to (with or by) you

δι'30 of 31

for

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

ὑμᾶς31 of 31

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)


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 1:5 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 1:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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