1 Thessalonians 1:9
New International Version
for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

New Living Translation
for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God.

English Standard Version
For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

Berean Standard Bible
For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

Berean Literal Bible
For they themselves report concerning us what reception we had from you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God,

King James Bible
For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

New King James Version
For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

New American Standard Bible
For they themselves report about us as to the kind of reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

NASB 1995
For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

NASB 1977
For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

Legacy Standard Bible
For they themselves report about us what kind of an entrance we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

Amplified Bible
For they themselves report about us, telling what kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

Christian Standard Bible
for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

Holman Christian Standard Bible
for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

American Standard Version
For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God,

Contemporary English Version
Everyone is talking about how you welcomed us and how you turned away from idols to serve the true and living God.

English Revised Version
For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They talk about how you welcomed us when we arrived. They even report how you turned away from false gods to serve the real, living God

Good News Translation
All those people speak about how you received us when we visited you, and how you turned away from idols to God, to serve the true and living God

International Standard Version
For people keep telling us what kind of welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve a living and true God

Majority Standard Bible
For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

NET Bible
For people everywhere report how you welcomed us and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

New Heart English Bible
For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God,

Webster's Bible Translation
For they themselves show of us what manner of entrance we had to you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God;

Weymouth New Testament
For when others speak of us they report the reception we had from you, and how you turned from your idols to God, to be bondservants of the true and ever-living God,

World English Bible
For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for they themselves declare concerning us what entrance we had to you, and how you turned to God from the idols, to serve a living and true God,

Berean Literal Bible
For they themselves report concerning us what reception we had from you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God,

Young's Literal Translation
for they themselves concerning us do declare what entrance we had unto you, and how ye did turn unto God from the idols, to serve a living and true God,

Smith's Literal Translation
For they themselves proclaim of us what entrance we have to you, and how ye turned to God from images to serve the living and true God;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For they themselves relate of us, what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For others are reporting among us of the kind of acceptance we had among you, and how you were converted from idols to God, to the service of the living and true God,

New American Bible
For they themselves openly declare about us what sort of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

New Revised Standard Version
For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For these people themselves relate how we entered first among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For they relate what an introduction we had to you and how you were turned to God from the worship of idols to serve The Living and True God,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For they themselves declare concerning us what kind of entrance we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God,

Godbey New Testament
for they proclaim concerning what kind of reception we had unto you; and how you turned to God from the idols, to serve the true and the living God,

Haweis New Testament
For they publish concerning you what manner of entrance we had unto you, and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve the living and true God,

Mace New Testament
how successful our arrival was among you, and how you renounc'd your idols to serve the living and true God,

Weymouth New Testament
For when others speak of us they report the reception we had from you, and how you turned from your idols to God, to be bondservants of the true and ever-living God,

Worrell New Testament
for they themselves report, concerning us, what manner of entrance we had to you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

Worsley New Testament
For they themselves declare concerning us what kind of entrance we had among you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Greetings to the Thessalonians
8For not only did the message of the Lord ring out from you to Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone out to every place, so that we have no need to say anything more. 9For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and TRUE God 10and to await His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath.…

Cross References
Acts 14:15
“Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.

Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

1 Corinthians 12:2
You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

Galatians 4:8-9
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. / But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

1 Peter 1:18
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers,

Romans 1:8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world.

1 Corinthians 1:2
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

1 John 5:21
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

1 Corinthians 8:4-6
So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.

2 Corinthians 6:16
What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 Timothy 4:10
To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.

Isaiah 45:20
Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save.

Jeremiah 10:10
But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.

Psalm 115:4-8
Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...


Treasury of Scripture

For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

what.

1 Thessalonians 1:5,6
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 2:1,13
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: …

ye.

Isaiah 2:17-21
And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day…

Jeremiah 16:19
O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.

Zephaniah 2:11
The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.

the living.

Deuteronomy 5:26
For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?

1 Samuel 17:26,36
And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? …

Psalm 42:2
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

Jump to Previous
Bondservants Declare Entering Entrance Ever-Living Idols Images Kind Manner News Others Reception Relate Report Serve Shew Show Speak Themselves True. Turn Turned Welcome Worship
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Bondservants Declare Entering Entrance Ever-Living Idols Images Kind Manner News Others Reception Relate Report Serve Shew Show Speak Themselves True. Turn Turned Welcome Worship
1 Thessalonians 1
1. The Thessalonians are told both how mindful of them Paul was in thanksgiving, and prayer;
5. and also how well he was persuaded of the truth and sincerity of their faith and conversion to God.














For they themselves report
This phrase indicates the widespread acknowledgment and testimony of the Thessalonians' faith. The Greek word for "report" (ἀπαγγέλλω, apangellō) suggests a declaration or announcement, emphasizing the impact of the Thessalonians' transformation. Historically, this reflects the early Christian community's interconnectedness, where news of faith and conversion spread rapidly among believers, serving as a powerful witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.

what kind of reception you gave us
The "reception" (εἴσοδος, eisodos) refers to the welcoming and acceptance of Paul and his companions by the Thessalonian believers. This reception was not merely a physical welcome but a spiritual openness to the message of Christ. In the historical context, such hospitality was crucial for the spread of Christianity, as it provided a foundation for the apostles to teach and establish the church.

and how you turned to God from idols
The phrase "turned to God from idols" signifies a radical transformation and repentance. The Greek word for "turned" (ἐπιστρέφω, epistrephō) implies a complete change of direction. In the ancient world, idolatry was prevalent, and turning from idols to the one true God was a significant and courageous act. This conversion highlights the power of the Gospel to break the chains of idolatry and sin, leading individuals to a new life in Christ.

to serve the living and true God
"To serve" (δουλεύω, douleuō) indicates a life of devotion and obedience. The Thessalonians' service to God was not out of obligation but a willing response to His grace. The description of God as "living and true" contrasts with lifeless idols, emphasizing God's active presence and faithfulness. This phrase underscores the core of Christian faith: a relationship with a God who is alive and genuine, deserving of our worship and service. Historically, this declaration would have been counter-cultural, challenging the prevailing religious norms and affirming the distinctiveness of the Christian faith.

(9) They themselves--i.e., the inhabitants of those countries. "Wherever we go we find our own story told us."

Shew.--Rather, announce. Both sides of the story are told: (1) of us--what kind of entry we made among you, explained in 1Thessalonians 2:1-12 to mean with "the word of truth, of meekness, and righteousness" (Psalm 45:5); (2) of you--how truly converted you were, as he proceeds to show further in 1Thessalonians 2:13 to 1Thessalonians 3:13.

Living and true God.--In contrast to the lifeless and false idols. The Thessalonians had been Gentiles, Perhaps St. Paul was thinking of his own speech on Mars Hill, which had been recently uttered.

Verse 9. - For they themselves; that is, the reporters, those in Macedonia, Achaia, and every other place. Show of us; or, report concerning us (R.V.) in regard to our preaching or entrance among you. Instead of questions being asked of us by them, as would naturally be expected, they of their own accord give information. What manner of entering in we had among you. "Entering" here evidently refers, not merely to the outward entrance, the mere preaching of the gospel among the Thessalonians; but to the access, the internal entrance, which the gospel found into their hearts; that is, with what power and fullness of the Holy Ghost we preached the gospel unto you, and with what joy and confidence and contempt of danger ye received it. And how ye turned to God from idols. This, as already remarked, is one of the proofs that the Church of Thessalonica was chiefly composed of Gentile converts, though, of course, not to the exclusion of the Jewish element (Acts 17:4). To serve the living and true God. Two epithets there employed in contrast to the idols of the heathen: "living," in opposition to dead idols, which were nothing in the world; "true," not in the sense of veracious, but of real in opposition to the imaginary gods of the heathen.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

they themselves
αὐτοὶ (autoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

report
ἀπαγγέλλουσιν (apangellousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 518: To report (from one place to another), bring a report, announce, declare. From apo and the base of aggelos; to announce.

what kind
ὁποίαν (hopoian)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3697: Of what kind or manner, of what sort. From hos and poios; of what kind that, i.e. How great.

of welcome
εἴσοδον (eisodon)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1529: (act of) entering, an entrance, entry. From eis and hodos; an entrance.

you gave us,
ἔσχομεν (eschomen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

how
πῶς (pōs)
Conjunction
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

you turned
ἐπεστρέψατε (epestrepsate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1994: From epi and strepho; to revert.

away from
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

idols
εἰδώλων (eidōlōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1497: An idol, false god. From eidos; an image; by implication, a heathen god, or the worship of such.

to serve
δουλεύειν (douleuein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1398: To be a slave, be subject to, obey, be devoted. From doulos; to be a slave to.

[the] living
ζῶντι (zōnti)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2198: To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

TRUE
ἀληθινῷ (alēthinō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 228: True (lit: made of truth), real, genuine. From alethes; truthful.

God
Θεῷ (Theō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


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NT Letters: 1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves report concerning us what (1 Thess. 1 Thes. 1Th iTh i Th)
1 Thessalonians 1:8
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