King James Version

What Does 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Mean?

1 Thessalonians 2:13 in the King James Version says “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye rec... — study this verse from 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 · KJV


Context

11

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you , as a father doth his children,

12

That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

13

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

14

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

15

Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: persecuted us: or, chased us out


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of Godparalabontes logon akoēs par' hēmōn tou Theou edexasthe ou logon anthrōpōn alla kathōs estin alēthōs logon Theou (παραλαβόντες λόγον ἀκοῆς παρ' ἡμῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐδέξασθε οὐ λόγον ἀνθρώπων ἀλλὰ καθώς ἐστιν ἀληθῶς λόγον Θεοῦ). The contrast is emphatic: not logon anthrōpōn (word of men) but logon Theou (word of God). This grounds biblical authority—Scripture isn't human wisdom but divine revelation.

Which effectually worketh also in you that believe (hos kai energeitai en hymin tois pisteuousin, ὃς καὶ ἐνεργεῖται ἐν ὑμῖν τοῖς πιστεύουσιν)—energeitai (present middle, 'is working/is effective') indicates continuous supernatural operation. God's word doesn't return void (Isaiah 55:11) but accomplishes transformation in believers. The Thessalonians' perseverance (v. 14), transformation from idols (1:9), and reproducing faith (1:8) proved the word's effectual working. Divine word produces divine results through divine power, distinguishing true Scripture from human philosophy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Thessalonians' recognition that Paul's preaching was God's word, not human opinion, explains their willingness to suffer persecution for it. Ancient philosophers offered competing wisdom traditions—Stoics, Epicureans, Cynics—but these were acknowledged human speculation. The gospel came with divine authority (1:5), confirming Paul's apostolic claim to revelation (Gal 1:11-12). This conviction that Scripture is God's inerrant word has sustained martyrs throughout church history; those who view it as merely human religious literature rarely suffer for it.

Reflection Questions

  1. What evidence demonstrates that you receive Scripture as God's authoritative word rather than human religious opinion?
  2. How does recognizing the Bible as God's word 'effectually working' change your approach to reading, studying, and obeying it?
  3. In what ways has the word of God demonstrably 'worked effectively' in your life, producing transformation beyond human capability?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 33 words
διὰ1 of 33

cause

G1223

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

τοῦτο2 of 33

For this

G5124

that thing

καὶ3 of 33

also

G2532

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

ἡμεῖς4 of 33

we

G2249

we (only used when emphatic)

εὐχαριστοῦμεν5 of 33

thank

G2168

to be grateful, i.e., (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace at a meal

τῷ6 of 33
G3588

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

θεοῦ7 of 33

God

G2316

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

ἀδιαλείπτως8 of 33

without ceasing

G89

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

ὅτι9 of 33

because

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

παραλαβόντες10 of 33

when ye received

G3880

to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn

λόγον11 of 33

as the word

G3056

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

ἀκοῆς12 of 33

which ye heard

G189

hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard)

παρ'13 of 33

of

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

ἡμῶν14 of 33

us

G2257

of (or from) us

τοῦ15 of 33
G3588

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

θεοῦ16 of 33

God

G2316

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

ἐδέξασθε17 of 33

ye received

G1209

to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

οὐ18 of 33

it not

G3756

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

λόγον19 of 33

as the word

G3056

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

ἀνθρώπων20 of 33

of men

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἀλλὰ21 of 33

but

G235

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

καθώς22 of 33

as

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

ἐστιν23 of 33

it is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἀληθῶς24 of 33

in truth

G230

truly

λόγον25 of 33

as the word

G3056

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

θεοῦ26 of 33

God

G2316

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

ὃς27 of 33

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

καὶ28 of 33

also

G2532

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

ἐνεργεῖται29 of 33

effectually worketh

G1754

to be active, efficient

ἐν30 of 33

in

G1722

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

ὑμῖν31 of 33

you

G5213

to (with or by) you

τοῖς32 of 33
G3588

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

πιστεύουσιν33 of 33

that believe

G4100

to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch


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 2:13 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 2:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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