1 Thessalonians 1:6
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
The Thessalonians became followers of Paul and his fellow messengers and of the Lord by embracing the gospel under severe suffering with joy given by the Holy Spirit. Their receiving of the word joined much affliction and Holy Spirit joy together as one experience. By so receiving it they became examples to other believers, including those in Macedonia and Achaia, showing the gospel's power in a changed life that spread the word widely and won hearts. That same experience is needed today in proclaiming Christ's second coming and unpopular truth, calling messengers to move forward with watchfulness, prayer, faith and courage, and calling all believers to stand firm in the truth even under persecution or death.
Following Amid Affliction with Joy
The Thessalonians became followers of Paul and his fellow messengers and of the Lord by receiving the gospel message despite severe affliction, with joy imparted by the Holy Spirit. To follow in this sense was to follow both the human example and the divine pattern, receiving the word in much trouble yet with gladness given from above. Their response made them examples to other believers and displays the power of the gospel at work in those who hear it.
Much affliction and joy of the Holy Spirit belong together as the joint experience of receiving the word, so that trouble endured for the gospel does not exclude but accompanies Spirit-given rejoicing. Believers may be filled with joy from the Holy Spirit even amid severe trouble, and that faithful following makes them examples who share the gospel through a changed life. This receiving followed powerful, Spirit-filled preaching and an assured example, as set forth in the preceding verse, where the word came not in word only but with power and full conviction lived out before them.
Their receiving meant turning from idols and from error to serve the living and true God. That conversion from error to the service of the living God is the fruit of the second-coming message when proclaimed with the Spirit's power and assurance, and it gives reason for thanksgiving and praise to God.
Becoming Examples to Others
By receiving the word in severe affliction with joy given by the Holy Spirit, the Thessalonians became followers of Paul and his fellow messengers and of the Lord, and in that following became examples to other believers. Their example reached believers in Macedonia and Achaia. Their faith itself became an example to other believers, showing that receiving the gospel brings both much affliction and Holy Spirit joy.
Their response displays the gospel's power at work in those who hear it. Those who so receive the word follow the Lord and share the gospel through a changed life.
They were not silenced by affliction, but their transformed lives and powerful witness spread the word of the Lord widely. That witness won hearts and added believers. Christ's grace had delivered them from fear of the coming wrath and made them zealous missionaries.
Pattern for Believers Today
The affliction endured at Thessalonica is the pattern for those who preach unpopular truth now. Those messengers must expect no more favorable reception from most professed Christians than Paul received. They will face united opposition from diverse religious organizations that trample the fourth commandment. Those who reject the truth will make zealous efforts to keep others from receiving it, manufacture falsehoods, and stir base passions to make truth of none effect.
In that position the messengers of Christ must arm themselves with watchfulness and prayer. They must move forward with faith, firmness, and courage, sounding warning to the world. They must teach transgressors of the law what sin is and point them to Jesus Christ as its great and only remedy.
The experience of receiving the word amid much affliction with joy through the Holy Spirit is needed today in proclaiming the message of Christ's second coming. That proclamation needs the Spirit's power and assurance. It should lead people to turn from idols to serve God. The following of both Paul and the Lord in receiving the word amid much affliction with joy through the Holy Ghost shows that believers are to remain firm in confession of the truth even when it brings persecution or death.