⁷ And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

그러므로 너희가 마게도냐와 아가야 모든 믿는 자의 본이 되었는지라

 Thessalonians becoming a model of all believers in the region is an eyebrow raising statement. We only remember the Berean side of it, but they were the counterpart who were compared with the Bereans, indirectly therefore described as not generous (‘noble’) in accepting the gospel, having no passion in examining the Scriptures to see if what they were hearing was true (Acts 17:11). Not only did they attack Paul in Thessalonica and made him flee by the night (v5-10), but the mobs enticed by jealous Jews in the city followed Paul down to Berea to disturb Paul’s ministry (v.13,14).

⁸ The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia – your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 

주의 말씀이 너희에게로부터 마게도냐와 아가야에만 들릴 뿐아니라 하나님을 향하는 너희 믿음의 소문이 각처에 퍼진고로 우리는 아무 말도 할것이 없노라

Such hastily sown seed of gospel grew because of our Lord’s coming and creating the good soil, full of God. Even what is seemingly rocky ground and thorny bushes have obviously been turned in to the good soil just as in Jesus’ parable (Luke 8)!

⁹ for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 

저희가 우리에 대하여 스스로 고하기를 우리가 어떻게 너희 가운데 들어간 것과 너희가 어떻게 우상을 버리고 하나님께로 돌아와서 사시고 참되신 하나님을 섬기며

‘They themselves’ probably refers to the ‘Lord’s message’ and ‘ (the news of) your faith’ (v.8). The kind of reception was utter rejection on the surface, now we know. Before the turbulence, Paul had explained and proved that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. And that the Jesus he was proclaiming to them was that Messiah (Acts 17:2-3). He preached the grace of God’s plan and peace our Jesus achieved as the Christ.

¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

또 죽은 자들 가운데서 다시 살리신 그의 아들이 하늘로부터 강림하심을 기다린다고 말하니 이는 장래 노하심에서 우리를 건지시는 예수시니라

Not only have the Thessalonian turned from the idol of serving themselves to the true God, but now they have a new hope: the coming back of the Son. For us too this is the direction our faith journey should take.

Lord, in the past, knowingly or unknowingly we were like the old Thessalonians, rejecting you, false witnessing you, and being utterly jealous of you. But for Christ’s sake you have turned the thorns and rocks into the good soil where your word fall and prosper. Not only that, you say we are the seed and we are your word that display you. May your message be fruitful and multiply as you first intended! During the reading of 1 Thessalonians let us move toward you more and discover anew the hope of waiting for Jesus. Thanks be to God who gives us hope.