1 Thessalonians 1 · Verse 5

1 Thessalonians 1:5

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 1:5, King James Version

1 Thessalonians 1:5 in other translations

BSB	because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake.
WEB	and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.
ASV	how that our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; even as ye know what manner of men we showed ourselves toward you for your sake.
YLT	because our good news did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, even as ye have known of what sort we became among you because of you,
DARBY	For our glad tidings were not with you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; even as ye know what we were among you for your sakes:
BBE	Because our good news came to you, not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Spirit, so that you were completely certain of it; even as you saw what our behaviour to you was like from our love to you.
Webster	For our gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

What does 1 Thessalonians 1:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

5. our gospel--namely, the Gospel which we preached. came--Greek, "was made," namely, by God, its Author and Sender. God's having made our preaching among you to be attended with such "power," is the proof that you are "elect of God" (1Th 1:4). in power--in the efficacy of the Holy Spirit clothing us with power (see end of verse; Ac 1:8; 4:33; 6:5, 8) in preaching the Gospel, and making it in you the power of God unto salvation (Ro 1:16). As "power" produces faith; so "the Holy Ghost," love; and "much assurance" (Col 2:2, full persuasion), hope (He 6:11), resting on faith (He 10:22). So faith, love, and hope (1Th 1:3). as ye know--answering to the "knowing," that is, as WE know (1Th 1:4) your character as the elect of God, so YE know ours as preachers. for your sake--The purpose herein indicated is not so much that of the apostles, as that of God. "You know what God enabled us to be ... how mighty in preaching the word ... for your sakes ... thereby proving that He had chosen (1Th 1:4) you for His own" [Alford]. I think, from 1Th 2:10-12, that, in "what manner of men we were among you," besides the power in preaching, there is included also Paul's and his fellow missionaries' whole conduct which confirmed their preaching; and in this sense, the "for your sake" will mean "in order to win you." This, though not the sole, yet would be a strong, motive to holy circumspection, namely, so as to win those without (Col 4:5; compare 1Co 9:19-23).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 5. For our gospel came not unto you. When first preached, Acts 17:1-3. Paul speaks of it as "our gospel," because it was the gospel preached by him, and Silas, and Timothy. Comp. 2Thes 2:14, 2Ti 2:8. He did not mean to say that the gospel had been originated by him, but only that he had delivered the good news of salvation to them. He is here stating the evidence which had been given that they were a church "chosen by God." He refers, first, to the manner in which the gospel was received by them, 1Thes 1:5-7; and, secondly, to the spirit which they themselves manifested in sending it abroad, 1Thes 1:8-10.

In word only. Was not merely spoken; or was not merely heard. It produced a powerful effect on the heart and life. It was not a mere empty sound, that produced no other effect than to entertain or amuse. Comp. Eze 33:32.

But also in power. That is, in such power as to convert the soul. The apostle evidently refers not to any miracles that were wrought there, but to the effect of the gospel on those who heard it. It is possible that there were miracles wrought there, as there were in other places; but there is no mention of such a fact, and it is not necessary to suppose it, in order to see the full meaning of this language. There was great power manifested in the gospel in its leading them to break off from their sins, to abandon their idols, and to give their hearts to God. See this more fully explained 1Cor 2:4.

And in the Holy Ghost. Comp. 1Cor 2:4. It is there called the "demonstration of the Spirit."

And in much assurance. That is, with firm conviction, or full persuasion of its truth. It was not embraced as a doubtful thing, and it did not produce the effect on the mind which is caused by anything that is uncertain in its character. Many seem to embrace the gospel as if they only half believed it, or as if it were a matter of very doubtful truth and importance; but this was not the case with the Thessalonians. There was the firmest conviction of its truth, and they embraced it "heart and soul." Col 2:2, Heb 6:11. From all that is said in this verse, it is evident that the power of God was remarkably manifested in the conversion of the Thessalonians, and that they embraced the gospel with an uncommonly strong conviction of its truth and value. This fact will account for the subsequent zeal which the apostle so much commends in them--for it is usually true that the character of piety in a church, as it is in an individual, is determined by the views with which the gospel is first embraced, and the purposes which are formed at the beginning of the Christian life.

As ye know what manner of men, etc. Paul often appeals to those among whom he had laboured as competent witnesses with respect to his own conduct and character. See 1Thes 2:9,10, Acts 20:33-35. He means here that he and his fellow-labourers had set them an example, or had shown what Christianity was by their manner of living, and that the Thessalonians had become convinced that the religion which they taught was real. The holy life of a preacher goes far to confirm the truth of the religion which he preaches, and is among the most efficacious means of inducing them to embrace the gospel.

(a) "came not unto you" Isa 55:11, Mk 16:20 (b) "power" 1Cor 2:4 (c) "in the Holy Ghost" 2Cor 6:6 (d) "as ye know" Heb 2:3

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 5 For our Gospel - That is, the glad tidings of salvation by Jesus Christ, and of your being elected to enjoy all the privileges to which the Jews were called, without being obliged to submit to circumcision, or fulfill the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law. Came not unto you in word only - It was not by simple teaching or mere reasoning that the doctrines which we preached recommended themselves to you, we did not insist on your using this or the other religious institution; we insisted on a change of heart and life, and we held out the energy which was able to effect it. But also in power - Εν δυναμει· With miraculous manifestations, to your eyes and to your hearts, which induced you to acknowledge that this Gospel was the power of God unto salvation. And in the Holy Ghost - By his influence upon your hearts, in changing and renewing them; and by the testimony which ye received from him, that you were accepted through the Beloved, and become the adopted children of God. And in much assurance - Εν πληροφοριᾳ πολλῃ. The Holy Spirit which was given you left no doubt on your mind, either with respect to the general truth of the doctrine, or the safety of your own state. Ye had the fullest assurance that the Gospel was true, and the fullest assurance that ye had received the remission of sins through that Gospel; the Spirit himself bearing witness with your spirit, that you are the sons and daughters of God Almighty. What manner of men we were - How we preached, and how we lived; our doctrines and our practices ever corresponding. And for your sakes we sustained difficulties, endured hardships, and were incessant in our labors.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5

As all good comes from God, so no good can be hoped for by sinners, but from God in Christ. And the best good may be expected from God, as our Father, for the sake of Christ. We should pray, not only for ourselves, but for others also; remembering them without ceasing. Wherever there is a true faith, it will work; it will affect both the heart and life. Faith works by love; it shows itself in love to God, and love…

Read the full comment on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 →

1 Thessalonians 1:5 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὅτιhotibecauseG3754

τὸtotheG3588

εὐαγγέλιονeuangeliongospelG2098

ἡμῶνhēmōnof usG3165

οὐκouknotG3756

ἐγενήθηegenēthēcameG1096

εἰςeistoG1519

ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771

ἐνeninG1722

λόγῳlogōwordG3056

μόνονmonononlyG3441

ἀλλὰallabutG235

καὶkaialsoG2532

ἐνeninG1722

δυνάμειdunameipowerG1411

καὶkaiandG2532

ἐνeninG1722

πνεύματιpneumati[the] SpiritG4151

ἁγίῳhagiōHolyG40

καὶkaiandG2532

ἐνenwithG1722

πληροφορίᾳplērophoriafull assuranceG4136

πολλῇpollēamuchG4183

καθὼςkathōseven asG2531

οἴδατεoidateyou know

οἷοιhoioiwhatG3634

ἐγενήθημενegenēthēmenwe wereG1096

ἐνenamongG1722

ὑμῖνhuminyouG4771

δι᾽di᾽on account ofG1223

ὑμᾶς·humasyou;G4771

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 1:5

2 Thessalonians 3:7-9
For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
Mark 16:20
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
1 Corinthians 2:2-5
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1 Thessalonians 2:13
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
2 Thessalonians 2:14
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 6:18-19
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
1 Peter 1:12
Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
1 Corinthians 4:20
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
Colossians 2:2
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Galatians 3:2-5
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Hebrews 2:3-4
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
Romans 15:18-19
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

our.
Isa 55:11; Ro 2:16; 2Co 4:3; Ga 1:8-12; 2:2; 2Th 2:14; 2Ti 2:8
in word.
2:13; 1Co 4:20; 2Co 3:6
but.
Ps 10:2,3; Mr 16:20; Ac 11:21; 16:14; Ro 1:16; 15:18,19; 1Co 1:24
1Co 2:4,5; 3:6; 2Co 10:4,5; Eph 1:17-20; 2:4,5,10; 3:20; Php 2:13
Jas 1:16-18; 1Pe 1:3
in the.
Joh 16:7-15; Ac 2:33; 10:44-46; 11:15-18; 1Co 3:16; 12:7-11
2Co 6:6; Ga 3:2-5; 5:5,22,23; Tit 3:5,6; Heb 2:4; 1Pe 1:12
in much.
Col 2:2; Heb 2:3; 6:11,18,19; 10:22; 2Pe 1:10,19
what.
2:1-11; Ac 20:18,19,33-35; 1Co 2:2-5; 4:9-13; 10:33; 2Co 4:1,2
2Co 6:3-10; Php 4:9; 2Th 3:7-9; 1Ti 4:12-16; 1Pe 5:3
for.
1Co 9:19-23; 2Ti 2:10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

1 Thessalonians 1:4
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
1 Thessalonians 1:5
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 1:6
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 1

1 Thessalonians 1:5 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Por cuanto nuestro evangelio no fué á vosotros en palabra solamente, mas también en potencia, y en Espíritu Santo, y en gran plenitud; como sabéis cuáles fuimos entre vosotros por amor de vosotros.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Car notre évangile n’est pas venu à vous en parole seulement, mais aussi en puissance, et dans l’Esprit Saint, et dans une grande plénitude d’assurance, ainsi que vous savez quels nous avons été parmi vous pour l’amour de vous.
German Elberfelder 1871	Denn unser Evangelium war nicht bei euch im Worte allein, sondern auch in Kraft und im Heiligen Geiste und in großer Gewißheit, wie ihr wisset, was wir unter euch waren um euretwillen.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	quia Evangelium nostrum non fuit ad vos in sermone tantum, sed et in virtute, et in Spiritu Sancto, et in plenitudine multa, sicut scitis quales fuerimus in vobis propter vos.