Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Thessalonians 1:2

"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention [of you] in our prayers;" — 1 Thessalonians 1:2 (ASV)

It was Paul’s practice to begin his letters by thanking God for his readers. Paul found much in the lives of the Thessalonians to be grateful for. In fact, he kept on being grateful (cf. “always”). Nor was he alone in gratitude. The pronoun “we” includes Silas and Timothy as sharing his appreciation.

By thanking God at the beginning of the letter, Paul lifts the thought above the human level. He is not trying to win the Thessalonians over by rhetorical flattery (cf. 2:5). On the contrary, he is sincerely giving the ultimate credit to the One from whom spiritual progress comes. When Christians realize their complete dependence on God and keep this in clear focus, then and only then are they capable of moving on to greater spiritual exploits.

“All of you” expresses Paul’s desire not to exclude any of the Thessalonian believers. Every single one of them, no matter how obscure, had certain qualities worth thanking God for.

Paul then begins to elaborate on this idea of thanksgiving. The means used to express their thanks was prayer. As he prayed with Silas and Timothy, they remembered the Thessalonian believers one by one with gratitude for their spiritual progress and with intercession for their advancement in the Gospel.