1 Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
Original Language Analysis
αὐτοὶ
themselves
G846
αὐτοὶ
themselves
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
1 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 24
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
3 of 24
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
ὁποίαν
what manner
G3697
ὁποίαν
what manner
Strong's:
G3697
Word #:
6 of 24
of what kind that, i.e., how (as) great (excellent) (specially, as an indefinite correlative to the definite antecedent g5108 of quality)
ἔσχομεν
we had
G2192
ἔσχομεν
we had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
8 of 24
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
9 of 24
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πῶς
how
G4459
πῶς
how
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
12 of 24
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
ἐπεστρέψατε
ye turned
G1994
ἐπεστρέψατε
ye turned
Strong's:
G1994
Word #:
13 of 24
to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
14 of 24
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
God
G2316
θεῷ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
16 of 24
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
17 of 24
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰδώλων
idols
G1497
εἰδώλων
idols
Strong's:
G1497
Word #:
19 of 24
an image (i.e., for worship); by implication, a heathen god, or (plural) the worship of such
δουλεύειν
to serve
G1398
δουλεύειν
to serve
Strong's:
G1398
Word #:
20 of 24
to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary)
θεῷ
God
G2316
θεῷ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
21 of 24
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Cross References
1 Timothy 4:10For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.1 Corinthians 12:2Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.Acts 14:15And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:1 Thessalonians 2:13For 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.Psalms 42:2My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?1 Thessalonians 2:1For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:Daniel 6:26I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
Historical Context
Thessalonica worshiped many gods: Zeus, Dionysus, the Egyptian deities Serapis and Isis, and prominently the imperial cult (emperor worship was strong in this loyal Roman city). Converts faced immediate pressure—refusing to attend civic festivals honoring these gods marked them as antisocial, even treasonous. The mob's accusation 'These all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus' (Acts 17:7) reveals the political danger of monotheism in a polytheistic culture.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'idols' (ultimate values, security sources, identity foundations) would biblical conversion require you to turn from?
- How does understanding conversion as 'turning from' idols to serve God challenge contemporary emphasis on 'inviting Jesus into your heart'?
- What social, economic, or relational costs have you paid (or avoided) for exclusive loyalty to Jesus as Lord?
Analysis & Commentary
For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols—epistrephō (ἐπιστρέφω, 'to turn/convert') describes 180-degree reversal, not religious refinement. The Thessalonians didn't add Jesus to their pantheon; they abandoned eidōla (εἴδωλα, 'idols') for the living God. This conversion was public, costly, and complete—forsaking idols meant economic loss (no trade-guild participation in idol feasts), social ostracism (breaking family religious practices), and physical danger (angering neighbors who profited from idolatry).
To serve the living and true God (douleuein Theō zōnti kai alēthinō, δουλεύειν Θεῷ ζῶντι καὶ ἀληθινῷ)—douleuein means 'to serve as a slave,' indicating total life reorientation. The living God contrasts with dead idols (Psalm 115:4-8); the true God contrasts with false pretenders. This is biblical conversion: not adding Jesus to existing religious practices but turning from darkness to light, from Satan's power to God (Acts 26:18). The Thessalonians' visible turning created the testimony that spread abroad (v. 8).