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.
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's thanksgiving that the Thessalonians received his word 'not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe' grounds the apostolic mission in a theology of divine speech mediated through human proclamation. The distinction between human word and divine word is not a claim about miraculous verbal dictation but about the reception-dynamic: the message was heard as carrying divine authority and was received with corresponding commitment. The phrase 'effectually worketh' (energeitai) is a characteristic Pauline term for divine power in operation — the same word used in Ephesians 1:19-20 for the resurrection power working 'in us that believe.' Hebrews 4:12's 'the word of God is quick, and powerful' develops the same theology of divine speech as active agent rather than merely transmitted information.
Other Translations
And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe.
Because of this also, we--we do give thanks to God continually, that, having received the word of hearing from us of God, ye accepted, not the word of man, but as it is truly, the word of God, who also doth work in you who believe;
And for this cause we still give praise to God, that, when the word came to your ears through us, you took it, not as the word of man, but, as it truly is, the word of God, which has living power in you who have faith.
Cross References
As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken …
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in …
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak …
But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, …
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood …
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again …
For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? …