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1 Thessalonians 1:4

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Thessalonians 1:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election,
1 Thessalonians 1:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Thessalonians 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
2We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention [of you] in our prayers;
3remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father;
4knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election,
5how that our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and [in] much assurance; even as ye know what manner of men we showed ourselves toward you for your sake.
6And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit;
7so that ye became an ensample to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.
← 1 Thessalonians 1:31 Thessalonians 1:5 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.] Which intends not an election to an office, for this epistle is written not to the officers of the church only, but to the whole church; nor to the Gospel, the outward means of grace, since this was common to them with others, and might be known without the evidence after given; nor does it design the effectual calling, sometimes so called for this is expressed in the following verse as a fruit, effect, and evidence of the election here spoken of, which is no other than the eternal choice of, them to everlasting life and happiness: this is of God, an act of God the Father, made in Christ Jesus before the world began, and which springs from…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Knowing--Forasmuch as we know. your election of God--The Greek is rather, "beloved by God"; so Rom 1:7; Th2 2:13. "Your election" means that God has elected you as individual believers to eternal life (Rom 11:5, Rom 11:7; Col 3:12; Th2 2:13).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God - The margin here reads, “beloved of God, your election.” The difference depends merely on the pointing, and that which would require the marginal reading has been adopted by Hahn, Tittman, Bloomfield, and Griesbach. The sense is not materially varied, and the common version may be regarded as giving the true meaning. There is no great difference between “being beloved of God,” and “being chosen of God.” The sense then is, “knowing that you are chosen by God unto salvation;” compare notes on Ephesians 1:4-5, Ephesians 1:11. The word “knowing” here refers to Paul himself, and to Silas and Timothy, who united with him in writing the Epistle, and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Knowing your election - Which is through faith, by these plain proofs. 1 Thessalonians 1:5”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:4 dear brothers and sisters: Greek adelphoi, a generic term that refers to members of the same family, both male and female.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Knowing: Th1 1:3; Rom 8:28-30, Rom 11:5-7; Eph 1:4; Phi 1:6, Phi 1:7; Pe1 1:2; Pe2 1:10 your election: Rom 1:7, Rom 9:25; Eph 2:4, Eph 2:5; Col 3:12; Th2 2:13; Ti2 1:9, Ti2 1:10; Tit 3:4, Tit 3:5 beloved, your election of God: or, beloved of God 1 Thessalonians 1:5”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Thessalonians 1 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification