1Thessalonians 1:8-10 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
‘Sounded out’ [Greek: execheomai] to sound forth; publish. From Thessalonica went ministers preaching and confirming the Word of God in Macedonia, Greece, and many other places. Then, too, merchants went from Thessalonica to all parts, taking the news that the people had believed.
‘Your faith to God-ward is spread abroad.’ Their faith and power were matters of conversation among the heathen. If they had manifested only a formal confession of faith without the power they would not have been model saints for other congregations.
‘How you turned to God from idols.’ This shows that these converts were Gentiles who once served idol gods. They turned from these to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven (1:10).
‘Living’ God is here called living in contrast to lifeless idols. He is called true in contrast to the whole system of idolatry which was false in its gods, worship, doctrines, promises, and prospects of eternal life.
‘True God’ – Seven major Christian doctrines here: Conversion – they “turned” (1:9; Matt. 18:3). True and living God (1:9; John 17:3). Against idolatry (1:9; 1Cor. 8:1-13). Jesus the Son of God (1:10; John 3:16). Second coming of Jesus Christ (1:10). Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Salvation from the wrath to come.
‘And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.’ This is the 1st New Testament prophecy in 1 Thessalonians and it is unfulfilled until Christ’s Second Coming.
Living the Word 