Many of the believers in Thessalonica had "turned . . . from idols to serve the living and true God." They had "received the word in much affliction;" and their hearts were filled with "joy of the Holy Ghost." The apostle declared that in their faithfulness in following the Lord they were "ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia." These words of commendation were not unmerited; "for from you," he wrote, "sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to Godward is spread abroad."

Mange af de troende i Tessalonika var "vendt om til Gud fra afguderne for at tjene den levende og sande Gud." De havde "under stor trængsel taget mod ordet" og deres hjerter var fyldt af "glæde i Helligånden". Apostlen sagde, at de ved deres trofaste efterfølgelse af Herren var blevet til "forbillede for alle de troende i Makedonien og Akaja." Disse rosende ord var ikke ufortjente, "thi fra jer har Herrens ord lydt vidt ud; ikke blot i Makedonien og Akaja, men alle vegne er jeres tro på Gud blevet kendt,"