Let us all remember that we have received the Word of God as a stewardship; that God

has promised to honour and work through His Word by the Holy Spirit, and if we want to

see a lasting effect in Christian witness we must minister that Word in all its purity and

then look to him to "give the increase" (I Cor. 3: 6).

After commenting upon the work of faith, labour of love and patience of hope of the

Thessalonian believers, the Apostle declares that they had become imitators of him and of

the Lord. This had led them through much tribulation and persecution for their faithful

witness, but through it all there had been joy of the Holy Spirit to more than compensate.

The result was that they had become "ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and

Achaia" (1: 7). The critical texts read the singular number "ensample". This is the Greek

tupos which gives us the English word type. Paul stated that he had been an example or

pattern to them in his behaviour, by working night and day so that he would not be

chargeable to them (II Thess. 3: 8, 9). Again he holds himself up as a pattern to the

Philippian saints (Phil. 3: 17). Both Timothy and Titus are exhorted to be "examples" or

"types" (I Tim. 4: 12; Titus 2: 7). The church at Thessalonica had become a pattern to

the whole of Greece and beyond (1: 7).  The Apostle could hardly give higher

commendation than this. Their Christian testimony sounded out far and wide and so the

Truth spread abroad.

The need for bold and fearless witness is not the less needed in our day. We all should

show clearly Whose we are and Whom we serve. There are far too many secret disciples,

those who are afraid to let the light shine. Specially is this so concerning the deeper

truths revealed in Paul's prison epistles. Many keep quiet because of the fear of man that

bringeth a snare even when these are believers. They are afraid of the price they will

have to pay. May we all be so strengthened and inspired to "shine as lights in the world,

holding forth the word of life" (Phil. 2: 15, 16) and so avoid being "ashamed of the Lord

and His prisoner" (II Tim. 1: 8).

In view of the practical effects that accrued from the outstanding witness of the

Thessalonian saints, the Apostle states that he had no need to speak anything; rather the

people of Macedonia and Achaia reported what manner of entering in he had to them and

with the results that had glorified the Lord so much.

The closing verses of the chapter strike a dispensational note.  Believers at

Thessalonica were awaiting the Lord Jesus from heaven. This can only mean that they

expected, as their hope, the return of the Saviour in their lifetime. The Apostle also

identifies himself with this hope in the phrase in chapter 4: 17, "we which are alive and