1 THESSALONIANS 1:6 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:”
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit — suffering and joy are inseparable in the gospel economy; persecution becomes the context for authentic joy. The imitation is not mere behavior modification but apprenticeship in the way of the cross. The Spirit's inspiration (chara) transforms what the flesh would experience as defeat into exultation.
Church Fathers on 1 Thessalonians 1:6
Strange! What an encomium is here! The disciples have suddenly become teachers! They not only heard the word, but they quickly arrived at the same height with Paul. But this is nothing; for see how he exalts them, saying, “You became imitators of the Lord.” How? “Having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.” Not merely with affliction, but with much affliction. And this we may learn from the Acts of the Apostles, how they raised a persecution…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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