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1 Thessalonians 1:6 |
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And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
Note 9 at 1 Th. 1:6: "And ye became followers (imitators) of us, and of the Lord?" Paul's behavior was such that if the Thessalonians needed a model to follow they could find it in him. So closely did Paul imitate Christ, that to follow Paul was to follow Christ (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 4:9; 2 Th. 3:7).
The Greek word for "follow" used here is MIMETES. It is used seven times in the New Testament and always in a good sense (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Eph. 5:1; 1 Th. 1:6; 2:14; Heb. 6:12; 1 Pet. 3:13). "It comes from MIMOS, 'a mimic' or 'an actor'" (Word Meanings in the N.T., Ralph Earle, p. 364). MIMETES is translated "imitators" in the RSV, NASV, and the NIV.
What a challenge this word is for us today. Is our behavior a model of Christ?
Note 10 at 1 Th. 1:6: "Having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost." The circumstances in which the Thessalonians had received the gospel was a combination of joy, produced by the Holy Ghost, and much affliction. The affliction of which Paul is speaking came as a result of the gospel being received by a great multitude of God-fearing Greeks and a few Jews. Paul had presented the gospel for three weeks in the synagogue at Thessalonica. It was a time of joy as people believed the "good news."
But trouble soon came as a mob of the unbelieving Jews rioted and tried to drag Paul and Silas from the home of their host, Jason. Paul and Silas were not found but Jason and some others were dragged to court and forced to post a bond. This guaranteed that Paul and Silas would not return to the city and resulted in them being sent away to Berea at night (Acts 17:1-10).
It was in the midst of this trouble and persecution that the gospel was planted firmly in the lives of the Thessalonian believers. So the Thessalonians had received the Word not because it was easy, but in spite of the difficulty and persecution. Jesus calls this the Word that fell on good soil, "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience" (Lk. 8:15).
