1 THESSALONIANS 1:9 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;”
For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God — the conversion is total and comprehensive, abandoning the cosmos of pagan religion for the exclusive service of the true God. The 'living God' (theos zōn) stands in radical contrast to dead idols; the shift is from death to life, darkness to light. This is not modification but transformation, not addition but substitution.
Church Fathers on 1 Thessalonians 1:9
As a sweet-smelling ointment keeps not its fragrance shut up in itself, but diffuses it afar, and scenting the air with its perfume, so conveys it also to the senses of the neighbors; so too illustrious and admirable men do not shut up their virtue within themselves, but by their good report benefit many, and render them better. Which also then happened. Wherefore he said, “So that you became ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” “For from you,” he says,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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