1 Thessalonians 1:2–9
2 We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. 9 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.
All of my New Testament teachers would have agreed that this was probably Paul’s first letter to one of his churches. A suggested date is around 50 AD. It is also likely the first book of the New Testament that was written, even earlier than any of the Gospels. Notice how Paul begins this letter, with thanksgiving. The people to whom he is writing are well-known for their faith in God. Paul will use the letter to correct some of their errors and to encourage them in their life of faith.
What is the first thing we write in our letters? I am usually trying to get right to the point. It seems to be “all business” with me. My email correspondence is even more that way. I am trying to correct that. I am now trying to begin with some positive expressions to the person who will receive my email or my letter. The Christmas letter that my wife is writing for us begins with introductory sentences expressing our connection with the people to whom we are writing. (more…)
