Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Thessalonians 1:7

"so that ye became an ensample to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia." — 1 Thessalonians 1:7 (ASV)

“Your zeal was so great and sincere that you, in your turn, became a model: for even in far-away countries the tale of your conversion is told with wonder.”

Examples.—Probably the singular should be read: the whole church became a model church.

To all that believe—i.e., now; not to those that then believed; Philippi was the only such church.

Macedonia and Achaia.—These two provinces comprised all Roman Greece. The influence of the Thessalonians spreads far beyond their own country.