1 Thessalonians 1:6
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγενήθητε
became
G1096
ἐγενήθητε
became
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
5 of 18
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
8 of 18
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
δεξάμενοι
having received
G1209
δεξάμενοι
having received
Strong's:
G1209
Word #:
9 of 18
to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον
the word
G3056
λόγον
the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
11 of 18
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
πολλῇ
much
G4183
πολλῇ
much
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
14 of 18
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 11:1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.1 Corinthians 4:16Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.Acts 13:52And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,2 Thessalonians 3:9Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.Ephesians 5:1Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;3 John 1:11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
Historical Context
The affliction began immediately—Jews incited a mob, attacked Jason's house, and dragged believers before city authorities with charges of treason: 'These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also' (Acts 17:6). Believers posted bail and Paul fled by night. Yet this 'much affliction' didn't crush faith but produced joy, evidence of the Holy Spirit's indwelling. This same pattern marked the Jerusalem church (Acts 5:41) and would characterize Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you explain joy coexisting with genuine suffering rather than denying either reality?
- What evidence demonstrates that your faith could withstand 'much affliction' rather than being fair-weather Christianity?
- How does the Holy Spirit produce joy that's qualitatively different from circumstantial happiness or psychological optimism?
Analysis & Commentary
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost—mimētai (μιμηταί, 'imitators') indicates intentional copying, not mere admiration. The Thessalonians imitated Paul's pattern: receiving the word in much affliction (dexamenoi ton logon en thlipsei pollē, δεξάμενοι τὸν λόγον ἐν θλίψει πολλῇ). Thlipsis (θλῖψις) means 'pressure, crushing,' the same term used for Christ's tribulations. Yet persecution produced paradoxical joy of the Holy Ghost (meta charas pneumatos hagiou, μετὰ χαρᾶς πνεύματος ἁγίου)—supernatural gladness impossible through human emotion.
This pattern fulfills Jesus's teaching: 'In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer' (John 16:33). The Holy Spirit doesn't remove affliction but produces joy within it, authenticating conversion's reality. Superficial conversions collapse under pressure; Spirit-born faith rejoices in persecution (Acts 5:41). By imitating Paul's suffering-with-joy pattern, the Thessalonians revealed themselves genuine disciples, not fair-weather followers.