1 Thessalonians 1:3
What does 1 Thessalonians 1:3 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 1:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Thessalonians 1:3 means
Paul recalls, without ceasing, three visible marks of genuine Christianity in them: a faith that works, a love that labors, and a hope that endures. Faith is not idle; it produces deeds. Love is costly; it toils for the good of others. Hope is not wishful thinking; it patiently waits because it is anchored “in our Lord Jesus Christ.” All of this is lived “before our God and Father,” reminding them that their lives are open to God’s sight. The triad of faith, love, and hope summarizes a balanced Christian life, especially under trial: trusting Christ, serving through love, and steadfastly looking forward because of Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Having ever in mind your work of faith and acts of love and the strength of your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862unceasingly remembering of you the work of the faith, and the labour of the love, and the endurance of the hope, of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the presence of our God and Father,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Being mindful of the work of your faith and labour and charity: and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890remembering unceasingly your work of faith, and labour of love, and enduring constancy of hope, of our Lord Jesus Christ, before ourGod and Father;
Context
This verse specifies the content of the thanksgiving mentioned in verse 2 and anticipates themes that will recur throughout the letter. It prepares for verse 4 by presenting the fruits that give Paul confidence about their standing with God. It also paves the way for verses 6–10, which describe how their faith, love, and hope were displayed amid affliction and in witness. Seeing this triad here helps readers trace the chapter’s structure: thanksgiving for fruit, assurance of God’s choice, and evidence in transformed life.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
- Revelation 2:19
I know thy works, and thy love and faith and ministry and patience, and that thy last works are more than the first.
- 1 John 3:21
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God;
- John 21:15
So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
- Romans 5:3
And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness;
- 1 John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
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