Note 3 at 1 Th. 1:3: There were three virtues that existed in this church-faith, love and hope. Each virtue produced a powerful and definite result in the believers' life and conduct. This shows that these virtues are not just theological concepts or doctrines but rather that they translate into the everyday life of the believers.

This first virtue is what Paul calls "your work of faith." Vine's Expository Dictionary alludes to this by stating, "Faith is of the heart, invisible to men; obedience is of the conduct and may be observed. When a man obeys God he gives the only possible evidence that in his heart he believes God. Of course it is persuasion of the truth that results in faith, but PEITHO (obedience), in the New Testament suggests an actual and outward result of the inward persuasion and consequent faith" (p. 124).

"Works of faith" do stand in contrast with the "works of the law" (Phil. 3:9). "Works of the law" are not of faith (Gal. 3:12) and are the product of self-righteousness. "Works of faith" are the by-product of our reliance upon Christ (Rom. 1:5).

Secondly, Paul speaks of a "labour of love" - not just love, but a labor of love. "The word KOPOS (labour) denotes laborious toil, and directs our minds to unceasing hardship borne for love's sake" (Tyndale Commentary, by Leon Morris, p. 34). The Thessalonian Christians were loving in deed and in truth (1 Jn. 3:18).

Thirdly, the Thessalonians had "patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." This suggests the hope that the Thessalonians had in the Lord Jesus Christ enabled them to endure much persecution. The Greek word HUPOMONE which was translated "patience" here means not a negative, passive acquiescence, but an active patience characterized by endurance.

These virtues were not only expressed before man but also in the sight of God and our Father.