Time after Pentecost · Proper 24 · Year A
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith
October 18, 2026
Overview & Insights
“You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9)
Address and Greeting 1:1 Paul frequently associates himself with others in the prescripts of his letters (cf. 1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:1f.; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1; Philem. 1). In most cases it must be doubted that the others made any material contribution to the letters, being named simply out of courtesy, and so in this case. The letter bears all the hallmarks of a Pauline epistle (see Introduction on The Authenticity of 1 Thessalonians and disc. on 3:1), such that it is difficult to believe that Silas and Timothy had any hand in what was written apart from giving Paul an up-to-date report on the situation in Thessalonica and some counsel as to what should be said to the church of the Thessalonians. Silas and Timothy had, of course, shared with Paul in the establishment of that church, and Timothy had only recently returned (as we suppose) from revisiting the scene of their former labors.
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Commentary
Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10Commentary on 1 Thes 1:1-10 Working Preacher
The Lutheran home commentary on thanksgiving and the church that became a model.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Commentary1 Thes 1:1-10 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on faith, love, hope, and imitation of the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 1 - A Model Church1 Thes 1 - A Model Church Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse-by-verse evangelical study of the Thessalonians' faith and their turn from idols.
1 Thessalonians Commentaries and Sermons1 Thes Commentaries and Sermons Precept Austin
A gateway to inductive word studies and cross references across 1 Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians 1:1 Commentaries1 Thes 1:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on Paul's thanksgiving.
1 Thessalonians 1:1 Verse-by-Verse Commentary1 Thes 1:1 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight
A large library of expositors stacked verse by verse for a further voice on the passage.
Background & Word Study
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why does Paul give thanks for them?
Opening his earliest letter, Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians’ “work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope,” and for how their turning from idols became known everywhere (1 Thessalonians 1:1–10).
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on Matthew 22:15-22
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.