1 Thessalonians 1:6
New International Version
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

New Living Translation
So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.

English Standard Version
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

Berean Standard Bible
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering.

Berean Literal Bible
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

King James Bible
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

New King James Version
And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

New American Standard Bible
You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word during great affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

NASB 1995
You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

NASB 1977
You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

Legacy Standard Bible
You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

Amplified Bible
You became imitators of us and [through us] of the Lord, after you welcomed our message in [a time of] great trouble with the joy supplied by the Holy Spirit;

Christian Standard Bible
and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and you became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit.

American Standard Version
And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit;

Contemporary English Version
So, when you accepted the message, you followed our example and the example of the Lord. You suffered, but the Holy Spirit made you glad.

English Revised Version
And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You imitated us and the Lord. In spite of a lot of suffering, you welcomed God's word with the kind of joy that the Holy Spirit gives.

Good News Translation
You imitated us and the Lord; and even though you suffered much, you received the message with the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit.

International Standard Version
You became imitators of us and of the Lord. In spite of a great deal of suffering, you welcomed the word with the joy that the Holy Spirit produces.

Majority Standard Bible
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering.

NET Bible
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction.

New Heart English Bible
You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

Webster's Bible Translation
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit:

Weymouth New Testament
And you followed the pattern set you by us and by the Master, after you had received the Message amid severe persecution, and yet with the joy which the Holy Spirit gives,

World English Bible
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you became imitators of us and of the LORD, having received the word in much tribulation with joy of the Holy Spirit,

Berean Literal Bible
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

Young's Literal Translation
and ye -- ye did become imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye were imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much pressure, with joy of the Holy Spirit:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And you became followers of us, and of the Lord; receiving the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, you became imitators of us and of the Lord, accepting the Word in the midst of great tribulation, but with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

New American Bible
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the holy Spirit,

New Revised Standard Version
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,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you became followers of us, and of our LORD, for you welcomed the word with much tribulation and with joy of the Holy Spirit:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And you imitated us and Our Lord, for you received the word in great affliction and in the joy of The Spirit of Holiness.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Spirit,

Godbey New Testament
And you became imitators of us, and the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation, with the joy of the Holy Ghost;

Haweis New Testament
And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, receiving the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost;

Mace New Testament
and you imitated us, and were imitators of the Lord, having receiv'd the word, notwithstanding all your afflictions, with that alacrity, which the holy spirit inspires.

Weymouth New Testament
And you followed the pattern set you by us and by the Master, after you had received the Message amid severe persecution, and yet with the joy which the Holy Spirit gives,

Worrell New Testament
And ye became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with joy of the Holy Spirit;

Worsley New Testament
And ye became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word tho' in much affliction, yet with joy of the holy Ghost.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Greetings to the Thessalonians
5because 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. 6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering. 7As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 11:1
You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

Philippians 3:17
Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.

2 Corinthians 8:5
And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, through the will of God.

1 Peter 2:21
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:

Hebrews 6:12
Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

2 Thessalonians 3:7-9
For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you, / nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you. / Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.

Acts 17:5-10
The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. / But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!” ...

2 Corinthians 1:6
If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

Galatians 4:14
And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself.

Acts 5:41
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

Matthew 5:12
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

1 Peter 4:13
But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Hebrews 10:34
You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.


Treasury of Scripture

And you became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.

ye.

1 Thessalonians 2:14
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

1 Corinthians 4:16
Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

and of.

Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 13:13-15
Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am…

received.

1 Thessalonians 2:13,14
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…

1 Thessalonians 3:2-4
And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: …

Hosea 2:14
Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.

with joy.

John 14:16-18
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; …

Acts 5:41
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Acts 9:31
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Jump to Previous
Accepted Affliction Amid Followed Followers Ghost Gives Holy Imitators Inspired Joy Master Message Pattern Persecution Received Severe Spirit Spite Suffering Tribulation Trouble Welcomed Word
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Accepted Affliction Amid Followed Followers Ghost Gives Holy Imitators Inspired Joy Master Message Pattern Persecution Received Severe Spirit Spite Suffering Tribulation Trouble Welcomed Word
1 Thessalonians 1
1. The Thessalonians are told both how mindful of them Paul was in thanksgiving, and prayer;
5. and also how well he was persuaded of the truth and sincerity of their faith and conversion to God.














And you became imitators
The Greek word for "imitators" is "mimētai," which is the root of the English word "mimic." In the early Christian context, this term implies a deep, transformative emulation rather than mere superficial copying. The Thessalonians are commended for adopting the behaviors and attitudes of Paul and his companions, as well as those of Christ Himself. This imitation is not just external but involves a profound internal change, reflecting a heart aligned with God's will.

of us and of the Lord
Paul, Silas, and Timothy set themselves as examples, but ultimately, the highest model is the Lord Jesus Christ. The phrase underscores the importance of discipleship and mentorship in the Christian faith. Historically, the early church relied heavily on the example of apostolic leaders to understand how to live out the teachings of Jesus. This dual imitation signifies a chain of spiritual influence, where believers are encouraged to follow those who follow Christ.

when you welcomed the message
The Greek term for "welcomed" is "dechomai," which conveys a sense of receiving something with approval and readiness. The Thessalonians did not merely hear the gospel; they embraced it wholeheartedly. This reception is indicative of a heart prepared by the Holy Spirit to accept the truth of the gospel, which is a recurring theme in the New Testament regarding the transformative power of God's word.

with the joy of the Holy Spirit
Joy, or "chara" in Greek, is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). This joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is a deep-seated gladness that comes from the Holy Spirit's work within believers. Despite facing persecution, the Thessalonians experienced this divine joy, which is a testament to the Spirit's power to sustain and uplift believers even in the midst of trials.

in spite of your great suffering
The Thessalonians faced significant persecution for their faith, as indicated by the historical context of the early church's struggles. The phrase highlights the paradox of Christian joy amidst suffering, a theme prevalent throughout the New Testament. This suffering, or "thlipsis" in Greek, refers to pressure or tribulation, yet it did not deter their faith. Instead, it became a backdrop against which their steadfastness and joy shone even brighter, serving as a powerful witness to the transformative power of the gospel.

(6) And ye became followers.--Not so much a separate reason for believing them elected of God, because of their receptiveness, but an evidence of the power given by God to the preachers for the winning of them. "So much so, that, in spite of persecution, you became Christians with enthusiasm."

Followers.--Not "disciples," but imitators. The three points in which the Lord and His Apostles were imitated are then expressed--(1) meek reception (Psalm 40:6; Isaiah 1:5); (2) cost what it might; (3) rejoicing all the while (Psalm 22:22; Psalm 45:7).

In much affliction.--For examples of troubles in the early days of the Thessalonian Church, see Acts 17:5; Acts 17:8. . . .

Verse 6. - Now follows the second reason assigned by Paul for his confidence in their election. And ye became followers (or, imitators) of us, and of the Lord; of Christ. By becoming imitators of the apostle, they became imitators of Christ. "Be ye followers of me," writes St. Paul to the Corinthians, "even as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). The point of imitation did not consist in their cordial reception of the gospel, for that could not apply to Christ; but in their joyful endurance of suffering. Having received the word in much affliction. We learn from the Acts that the unbelieving Jews stirred up the heathen rabble, and raised a persecution against Paul and his associates, in consequence of which they had to depart from Thessalonica (Acts 17:4-10). It would appear that, after the apostle had left the city, the persecution, far from abating, rather increased, and the Gentile inhabitants united with the unbelieving Jews against the Christians; the Thessalonian converts suffered from their own countrymen as well as from the Jews (1 Thessalonians 2:14). With joy of the Holy Ghost; that is, not merely spiritual joy, or joy in the Holy Ghost, but joy which proceeds from the Holy Ghost - joy which is produced by him, of which he is the Author.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

you
ὑμεῖς (hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

became
ἐγενήθητε (egenēthēte)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

imitators
μιμηταὶ (mimētai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3402: An imitator, follower. From mimeomai; an imitator.

of us
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

when you welcomed
δεξάμενοι (dexamenoi)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1209: To take, receive, accept, welcome. Middle voice of a primary verb; to receive.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

message
λόγον (logon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

with
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

[the] joy
χαρᾶς (charas)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5479: Joy, gladness, a source of joy. From chairo; cheerfulness, i.e. Calm delight.

of [the] Holy
Ἁγίου (Hagiou)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

Spirit,
Πνεύματος (Pneumatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

in [spite of your]
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

great
πολλῇ (pollē)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

suffering.
θλίψει (thlipsei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2347: Persecution, affliction, distress, tribulation. From thlibo; pressure.


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NT Letters: 1 Thessalonians 1:6 You became imitators of us (1 Thess. 1 Thes. 1Th iTh i Th)
1 Thessalonians 1:5
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