1 Thessalonians 1:5 – All of a Piece

… 5 for the evangel of our God did not come to you in word only, but in power also, and in holy spirit and much assurance, according as you are aware. Such we became among you, because of you.

The Evangel did not come to the Thessalonians apart from those who proclaimed it to them. What Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy said and how they were among them belonged together. Their conduct did not contradict their words but confirmed them. And Paul can appeal to that without hesitation: the Thessalonians had experienced it themselves. Hence: “according as you are aware.”

Literally, Paul writes: “Such we became among you.” Chapter 2 will show at length what he means by that. No flattery, no greed, and no seeking human glory. Their conduct did not contradict their message but underscored it. However convincing a message may sound, when the messenger contradicts it in his conduct, that detracts from his words. With Paul and his coworkers, message and messenger were all of a piece: integrity.

And then follow two more telling words: “because of you.” They were not in Thessalonica to serve themselves, but for the sake of the Thessalonians. Paul will even write that they wanted to share with them not only God’s Evangel but also their own lives (2:8). That is what they had become among them – because of them.

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