Bible Study

Bible Study

November 26, 2025

“Be Am Imitator”

1 Thessalonians 1:6 – 10 (NKJV)

6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 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, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

The Thessalonian church much like many of the early churches faced persecution both from the citizens as well as the government of the day. In spite of that we are called to be a light in the midst of spiritual and moral darkness. Paul is telling them and commending them for having received the word and receiving it in joy.

Most of us would agree it is easy to accept the word when it is a good one or one we wanted to hear but not so much joy is expressed when we are told ‘no’ or we must ‘wait’ for an answer. The Greek word to express ‘example’ describes a seal that marked wax or stamped a coin. ‘These church members were so blessed that other churches around them were examples of who they had become. Paul uses the word “became” to say they had accomplished it ‘in every place.’

Paul used the term ‘turned’ here to indicate true repentance. Repentance calls for a person to turn from the ‘false gods’ they worship to the one true God. False gods can be and is anything that keeps one turned from the true God.

Once we are converted from the former lifestyle we lived we are to become examples in the new life we are changed into. “all things become new” when our life changes.

We are now exempt from the current wrath or the coming wrath. We will have times of trial but eternal wrath will not come as long as we are covered by the blood of Jesus. As we continue to read and study the book of First Thessalonians I believe we will see Paul is talking about the eternal wrath that is to come.

God Bless.