Spiritual Virtues: Faith, Love, and Hope (1 Thessalonians 1)

Scripture reading – 1 Thessalonians 1

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* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.

Our chronological reading of the Scriptures brings us to 1 Thessalonians 1. 1 Thessalonians is the first of two epistles Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica. When Paul remembered the saints of Thessalonica, his fond memories stirred his heart to rejoice and give thanks to the LORD.

Paul arrived in Thessalonica, the capital of ancient Macedonia, and for three Sabbaths he boldly preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the synagogue of that city, “alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead” (Acts 17:3), and that this was according to the Scriptures (Isaiah 53). The success of Paul’s ministry in that city provoked unbelieving Jews to envy, and they stirred up a mob against Paul and Silas, forcing them to flee the city (Acts 17:5-10). 

1 Thessalonians 1

“Grace, Peace, and Thanksgiving” (1 Thessalonians 1:1-2)

Notice Paul’s “shepherd’s heart” and his longing for the saints in Thessalonica. For instance, his salutation reflects a pastor’s sincere love for believers. Paul wrote,

“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” (1 Thessalonians 1:1b–2). Paul began his second epistle with a similar greeting, writing, “Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ We are bound to thank God always for you” (2 Thessalonians 1:2–3).

Notice the themes of grace and peace. Grace is God’s gift of loving favor. Like grace, peace is also a gift from God through Jesus Christ. This peace and harmony stem from the believer’s security in God’s love (John 14:27; Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:20).

 After greeting the saints with a longing for them to rest in the blessings of God’s grace and peace, Paul burst into thanksgiving! He wrote, “We give thanks to God always for you all” (1 Thessalonians 1:2). In his second epistle, Paul wrote, “We are bound to thank God always for you” (2 Thessalonians 1:3).

 Three Virtues: Faith, Love, and Hope (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

 When Paul remembered the saints of Thessalonica, his fond memories stirred his heart to rejoice and give thanks to the LORD. Those believers were not without fault, yet they demonstrated three spiritual virtues that should inspire all believers: faith, love, and hope (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

Paul wrote, “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.” The Thessalonian believers’ faith was more than a profession; it was a working faith (1 Thessalonians 1:3a). The believers in Thessalonica demonstrated their faith through their works (James 2:18-22, 26).

The second virtue was their “labour of love” (1 Thessalonians 1:3b). Love is an enduring motivation for ministering to others (Galatians 6:10; 1 Peter 1:22), and sincere love for God is shown by a readiness to love and serve others (2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Hebrews 10:24).

Finally, “patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:3c) was the third virtue of the believers in Thessalonica: a long-suffering, enduring, steadfast hope in Christ.

What motivates a believer to work, labor, and not lose hope? The promise of Christ’s coming!

Titus 2:13b – “…Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”