1 Thessalonians 2:13-14

2:13 And so ¹  we too constantly thank God that when you received God’s message that you heard from us, ²  you accepted it not as a human message, ³  but as it truly is, God’s message, which is at work among you who believe. 2:14 For you became imitators, brothers and sisters, ⁴  of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews,

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

2:19 For who is our hope or joy or crown to boast of ⁵  before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not of course you? 2:20 For you are our glory and joy!

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¹ tn Grk “for this reason,” which seems to look back to Paul’s behavior just described. But it may look forward to v. 13b and mean: “and here is another reason that we constantly thank God: that…”

² tn Grk “God’s word of hearing from us.”

³ tn Paul’s focus is their attitude toward the message he preached: They received it not as a human message but a message from God.

⁴ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:4.

⁵ sn Crown to boast of (Grk “crown of boasting”). Paul uses boasting or exultation to describe the Christian’s delight in being commended for faithful service by the Lord at his return (1 Cor 9:15-16; 2 Cor 1:12-14; 10:13-18; Phil 2:16; and 1 Cor 3:14; 4:5).