1 Thessalonians 2:13
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Original Language Analysis
διὰ
cause
G1223
διὰ
cause
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
1 of 33
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εὐχαριστοῦμεν
thank
G2168
εὐχαριστοῦμεν
thank
Strong's:
G2168
Word #:
5 of 33
to be grateful, i.e., (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace at a meal
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
7 of 33
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἀδιαλείπτως
without ceasing
G89
ἀδιαλείπτως
without ceasing
Strong's:
G89
Word #:
8 of 33
uninterruptedly, i.e., without omission (on an appropriate occasion)
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
9 of 33
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
παραλαβόντες
when ye received
G3880
παραλαβόντες
when ye received
Strong's:
G3880
Word #:
10 of 33
to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn
λόγον
as the word
G3056
λόγον
as the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
11 of 33
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
ἀκοῆς
which ye heard
G189
ἀκοῆς
which ye heard
Strong's:
G189
Word #:
12 of 33
hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard)
παρ'
of
G3844
παρ'
of
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
13 of 33
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
16 of 33
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐδέξασθε
ye received
G1209
ἐδέξασθε
ye received
Strong's:
G1209
Word #:
17 of 33
to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
λόγον
as the word
G3056
λόγον
as the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
19 of 33
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
21 of 33
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
λόγον
as the word
G3056
λόγον
as the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
25 of 33
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
26 of 33
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὃς
which
G3739
ὃς
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
27 of 33
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
28 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.Romans 10:17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.1 Peter 1:23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.1 Peter 1:25But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.1 Peter 2:2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:Luke 11:28But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.Acts 13:48And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.Galatians 4:14And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.Acts 17:11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.1 John 3:3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Historical Context
The Thessalonians' recognition that Paul's preaching was God's word, not human opinion, explains their willingness to suffer persecution for it. Ancient philosophers offered competing wisdom traditions—Stoics, Epicureans, Cynics—but these were acknowledged human speculation. The gospel came with divine authority (1:5), confirming Paul's apostolic claim to revelation (Gal 1:11-12). This conviction that Scripture is God's inerrant word has sustained martyrs throughout church history; those who view it as merely human religious literature rarely suffer for it.
Questions for Reflection
- What evidence demonstrates that you receive Scripture as God's authoritative word rather than human religious opinion?
- How does recognizing the Bible as God's word 'effectually working' change your approach to reading, studying, and obeying it?
- In what ways has the word of God demonstrably 'worked effectively' in your life, producing transformation beyond human capability?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God—paralabontes logon akoēs par' hēmōn tou Theou edexasthe ou logon anthrōpōn alla kathōs estin alēthōs logon Theou (παραλαβόντες λόγον ἀκοῆς παρ' ἡμῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐδέξασθε οὐ λόγον ἀνθρώπων ἀλλὰ καθώς ἐστιν ἀληθῶς λόγον Θεοῦ). The contrast is emphatic: not logon anthrōpōn (word of men) but logon Theou (word of God). This grounds biblical authority—Scripture isn't human wisdom but divine revelation.
Which effectually worketh also in you that believe (hos kai energeitai en hymin tois pisteuousin, ὃς καὶ ἐνεργεῖται ἐν ὑμῖν τοῖς πιστεύουσιν)—energeitai (present middle, 'is working/is effective') indicates continuous supernatural operation. God's word doesn't return void (Isaiah 55:11) but accomplishes transformation in believers. The Thessalonians' perseverance (v. 14), transformation from idols (1:9), and reproducing faith (1:8) proved the word's effectual working. Divine word produces divine results through divine power, distinguishing true Scripture from human philosophy.