For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. (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 letter to the Thessalonians was written by the apostle Paul. The theme of our verses is genuine Christianity and the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ – the second coming is referred to in some way in every chapter of this letter and Paul is giving clear instruction regarding this. The gospel – “our gospel” – called such because Paul’s own experience of conversion, must be reflected clearly in our lives and words. The Spirit becomes indwelling at the moment of conversion and there is a deep persuasion of the truth of the gospel. We don’t all have the dramatic conversion of Paul but our eyes have been opened, repentance worked in our hearts; our new lives back up the gospel message and we become faithful witnesses that spread the gospel to others.

Paul now moves to spell out reasons he knew God chose the Thessalonians believers for salvation; for the effects their faith had in lives of believers who turned from idols to the living God – to those converted and in turn converting others, to those living the gospel through actions and words, and to those awaiting the second coming of Christ. Paul knew God opened hearts to the gospel or he would be preaching in vain. Our good deeds cannot pay the penalty of sin and only Christ is sufficient – either our sin is on Jesus or it’s on us. Paul preached the good news of full and free salvation. Believing in Jesus is the beginning point of Christian life. Idols could not/cannot placate God’s wrath. At the root of all idolatry is anything that takes the place of the living God in our lives – the god of self.

The Spirit worked in the hearts and souls of the faithful Thessalonians and great changes took place as they passed from death to life in Christ. They became imitators of the apostles who were imitators of the Lord and then the Thessalonians became patterns to all who believed in the gospel. They waited for God’s Son, Christ Jesus, whom God had raised from the dead according to Christ’s own promise to come bodily again. Christ has delivered/will deliver the faithful from the wrath to come – before the wrath Christ will take His own into His presence.