In reading the first chapter of 1 Thessalonians I was struck by verse 8: “For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything”. In the context, the “word of the Lord” refers to the gospel, which Paulessentially summarises in vv. 9-10. The point is that Paul preached this word to the Thessalonians, they came to believe it, and now the fruit of their faith is further proclamation of the gospel. Those who have now “turned to God from idols” are now proclaiming the gospel. In fact, the Thessaloniansare so bold in their faith that people in Macedonia and Achaia are talking about their faith – and there’s no reason to think that it was just Christians in these places who were talking about the Thessalonians’…
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