And then, dear brothers and sisters, you suffered persecution from your own countrymen. In this way, you imitated the believers in God’s churches in Judea who, because of their belief in Christ Jesus, suffered from their own people, the Jews.
Parallel translations
- WEB For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews;
- KJV 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:
- BSB For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews,
- NKJV For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,
- NASB For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Thessalonians imitated the suffering Judean churches by enduring persecution from their own countrymen. Sharing in suffering marks them as belonging to Christ's people.
Overview
Paul links the young Gentile church to the original Jewish-Christian congregations in Judea, noting both faced persecution from their own people. Suffering for the faith is not a sign of God's absence but of solidarity with the wider church and with Christ. The Thessalonians stand in a long line of believers opposed by those around them.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 19
- 1 Th 3:4For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.
- Heb 10:33–34partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions; and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so.
- Heb 5:7–8He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,
- 2 Th 1:4so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your perseverance and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure.
- 2 Cor 8:1–2Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia;
- Gal 1:22I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ,
- Acts 12:1–3Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly.
- 1 Th 1:6You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
- 1 Cor 7:17Only, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has called each, so let him walk. So I command in all the assemblies.
- 2 Th 1:1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ:
- Acts 17:1–8Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
- Acts 9:1But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
- Acts 11:19They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only.
- 1 Th 1:1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Acts 17:13But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, agitating the multitudes.
- Acts 9:31So the assemblies throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 8:1Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.
- Acts 8:3But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house, and dragged both men and women off to prison.
- Acts 9:13But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.
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The believer waits for God's Son from heaven, Jesus who delivers from the wrath to come and who will return to gather his people to himself.
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Original language
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