1 Thessalonians 2:14
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
Original Language Analysis
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 32
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἐγενήθητε
became
G1096
ἐγενήθητε
became
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
4 of 32
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἀδελφοί
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
5 of 32
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκκλησιῶν
of the churches
G1577
ἐκκλησιῶν
of the churches
Strong's:
G1577
Word #:
7 of 32
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
9 of 32
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰουδαίᾳ
Judaea
G2449
Ἰουδαίᾳ
Judaea
Strong's:
G2449
Word #:
14 of 32
the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
17 of 32
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
18 of 32
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐπάθετε
have suffered
G3958
ἐπάθετε
have suffered
Strong's:
G3958
Word #:
20 of 32
to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
23 of 32
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἰδίων
your own
G2398
ἰδίων
your own
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
25 of 32
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
συμφυλετῶν
countrymen
G4853
συμφυλετῶν
countrymen
Strong's:
G4853
Word #:
26 of 32
a co-tribesman, i.e., native of the same country
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
28 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοὶ
they have
G846
αὐτοὶ
they have
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
29 of 32
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
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
30 of 32
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
Cross References
1 Thessalonians 3:4For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.2 Thessalonians 1:4So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:Galatians 1:22And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:1 Thessalonians 1:6And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:2 Thessalonians 1:1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Historical Context
The Judean churches suffered intense persecution from Jewish authorities (Acts 4:1-22; 5:17-42; 7:54-60; 8:1-3; 12:1-4). Paul himself had persecuted these churches before conversion (Acts 9:1-2; Gal 1:13). Now, as persecuted missionary, he identifies Thessalonian Gentile believers with persecuted Jewish believers—all are 'churches of God in Christ Jesus,' united by suffering for the gospel. This solidarity across ethnic and geographic boundaries demonstrated the church's supernatural unity, transcending natural divisions.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing suffering as normative Christian experience (not exceptional) change your response to persecution or trials?
- What does the solidarity between Judean and Thessalonian churches teach about the church's essential unity across ethnic, cultural, and geographic boundaries?
- How can contemporary comfortable Christianity recover biblical expectations that following Christ involves suffering, not merely blessing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews—mimētai egenēthēte (μιμηταὶ ἐγενήθητε, 'became imitators') connects Thessalonian suffering with Jerusalem church persecution. Ta auta epathete kai hymeis hypo tōn idiōn symphyletōn kathōs kai autoi hypo tōn Ioudaiōn (τὰ αὐτὰ ἐπάθετε καὶ ὑμεῖς ὑπὸ τῶν ἰδίων συμφυλετῶν καθὼς καὶ αὐτοὶ ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, 'the same things you suffered from your own countrymen as they from the Jews'). Both churches experienced persecution from their own people—Jews persecuted Jewish Christians; Gentiles persecuted Gentile Christians.
Paul normalizes suffering as Christian experience, not aberration. The Judean churches' persecution (Acts 8:1-3; 12:1-4) provided the pattern; Thessalonian affliction (Acts 17:5-9) replicated it. This suffering validates authentic faith—false converts flee when cost becomes clear; true believers persevere. The phrase ekklēsiai tou Theou (ἐκκλησίαι τοῦ Θεοῦ, 'churches of God') emphasizes divine ownership: persecuting believers means attacking God's possession, ensuring divine vindication (v. 16; 2 Thess 1:6-9).