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1 Thessalonians 1:3 open_in_new
work of faith
Literally, operative faith, and laborious love, and hope-filled patience.
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1 Thessalonians 1:9 open_in_new
how ye turned
The tenses of the believer's life here indicated are logical and give the true order. They occur also in (1 Thessalonians 1:3).
The "work of faith" is to "turn to God from idols";
(compare (John 6:28); (John 6:29).
The "labour of love" is to "serve the living and true God"; and
The "patience of hope" is to "wait for his Son from heaven".
(compare (Matthew 24:42); (Matthew 25:13); (Luke 12:36-48); (Acts 1:11); (Philippians 3:20); (Philippians 3:21).
Paul repeats this threefold sequence in (Titus 2:11-13).