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;
הערת לימוד
Study Note
The description of the Thessalonians' conversion as turning 'from idols to serve the living and true God' is the New Testament's most compact summary of Gentile conversion, presenting it as a transfer of allegiance from dead images to the living God of Israel. The phrase 'living and true God' (theō zōnti kai alēthinō) is a stock Jewish-missionary formula contrasting YHWH with the inert deities of the nations, suggesting Paul used this apologetic framework consistently in his early Gentile preaching (cf. Acts 14:15). The addition 'and to wait for his Son from heaven' (v. 10) gives the conversion narrative an eschatological orientation: the Thessalonians did not merely change religious affiliation but entered a community living toward the parousia. The verse became the standard missionary-theology template for describing conversion as both a break from idolatry and a reorientation toward eschatological hope.
תרגומים נוספים
For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God,
for they themselves concerning us do declare what entrance we had unto you, and how ye did turn unto God from the idols, to serve a living and true God,
For they themselves give the news of how we came among you; and how you were turned from images to God, to the worship of a true and living God,
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