1 Thessalonians 1:6
What does 1 Thessalonians 1:6 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 1:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Thessalonians 1:6 means
The Thessalonians became imitators of the apostles and of the Lord by embracing the word under “much affliction” with “joy of the Holy Spirit.” Disciples learn by watching and following faithful examples; ultimately they mirror the Lord, who endured suffering with steadfast joy. Their reception of the gospel did not remove trials; it produced Spirit-given joy within them. Such joy in hardship is a hallmark of genuine conversion, showing a new allegiance and power at work. Their imitation was not superficial copying but a Spirit-enabled alignment of life with the pattern of Christ and His servants, even when it cost them socially and physically.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And you took us and the Lord as your example, after the word had come to you in much trouble, with joy in the Holy Spirit;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and ye--ye did become imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And you became followers of us and of the Lord: receiving the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and ye became our imitators, and of the Lord, having accepted the word in much tribulation with joy of [the] Holy Spirit,
Context
Following the Spirit-empowered preaching of verse 5, verse 6 displays the Thessalonians’ Spirit-enabled response. It prepares for verse 7, where their imitation blossoms into being an example to others. The flow is significant: gospel power leads to transformed reception, then to a life that instructs other believers. Understanding their affliction and joy here explains why their testimony became so compelling across Macedonia and Achaia.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 3 John 1:11
Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
- John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever,
- 2 Corinthians 8:5
and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
- 1 Corinthians 4:16
I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:9
not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us.
- John 13:13
Ye call me, Teacher, and, Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
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