John Calvin Commentary 1 Thessalonians 1:9

"For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God," — 1 Thessalonians 1:9 (ASV)

He says that the report of their conversion had obtained great renown everywhere. What he mentions regarding his entering in among them refers to that power of the Spirit by which God had distinguished his gospel. He says, however, that both things are freely reported among other nations as things worthy of mention.

In the detail which follows, he shows, first, what the condition of mankind is before the Lord enlightens them by the doctrine of his gospel; and further, for what purpose he would have us instructed, and what is the fruit of the gospel. For although all do not worship idols, all are nonetheless addicted to idolatry and are immersed in blindness and madness. Therefore, it is due to the kindness of God that we are exempted from the deceptions of the devil and every kind of superstition.

Some, indeed, he converts earlier, others later, but as alienation is common to all, it is necessary that we be converted to God before we can serve God. From this, also, we gather the essence and nature of true faith, since no one gives due credit to God except the person who, renouncing the vanity of his own understanding, embraces and receives the pure worship of God.

To the living God. This is the goal of genuine conversion. We see, indeed, that many abandon superstitions, who, nonetheless, after taking this step, are so far from making progress in piety that they fall into what is worse. For having thrown off all regard to God, they give themselves up to a profane and brutal contempt.

Thus, in ancient times, the superstitions of the common people were derided by Epicurus, Diogenes the Cynic, and the like, but in such a way that they confused the worship of God, making no distinction between it and absurd trifles. Therefore, we must take care, so that the tearing down of errors is not followed by the overthrow of the building of faith.

Further, the Apostle, in ascribing to God the epithets true and living, indirectly censures idols as being dead and worthless inventions, and as being falsely called gods. He makes the goal of conversion to be what I have noticed—that they might serve God. Therefore, the doctrine of the gospel tends to this: that it leads us to serve and obey God.

For as long as we are the servants of sin, we are free from righteousness (Romans 6:20), since we amuse ourselves and wander aimlessly, exempt from any yoke. No one, therefore, is properly converted to God except the person who has learned to place himself wholly under subjection to him.

However, as it is more than simply difficult, in such great corruption of our nature, he shows at the same time what retains and confirms us in the fear of God and obedience to him—waiting for Christ. For unless we are stirred to the hope of eternal life, the world will quickly draw us to itself.

For just as it is only confidence in the Divine goodness that leads us to serve God, so it is only the expectation of final redemption that keeps us from giving way. Let everyone, therefore, who would persevere in a course of holy life, apply his whole mind to the expectation of Christ’s coming.

It is also worth noting that he uses the expression waiting for Christ instead of the hope of everlasting salvation. For, unquestionably, without Christ we are ruined and thrown into despair, but when Christ shows himself, life and prosperity then shine forth upon us.

Let us bear in mind, however, that this is said to believers exclusively, for as for the wicked, since he will come to be their Judge, they can do nothing but tremble in looking for him.

This is what he afterwards adds—that Christ delivereth us from the wrath to come. For this is felt by none except those who, being reconciled to God by faith, already have a pacified conscience; otherwise, his name is dreadful. Christ, it is true, delivered us by his death from the anger of God, but the significance of that deliverance will become apparent on the last day.

This statement, however, consists of two parts. The first is that the wrath of God and everlasting destruction are impending over the human race, since all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23). The second is that there is no way of escape except through the grace of Christ, for it is not without good reason that Paul assigns to him this office.

It is, however, an inestimable gift that the pious, whenever mention is made of judgment, know that Christ will come as a Redeemer to them.

In addition to this, he says emphatically, the wrath to come, so that he may rouse pious minds, lest they should falter by focusing on the present life. For as faith is a looking at things that do not appear (Hebrews 11:1), nothing is less fitting than for us to estimate the wrath of God according to how anyone is afflicted in the world, just as nothing is more absurd than to seize upon the transient blessings we enjoy in order to estimate God's favor from them.

Therefore, while on the one hand the wicked amuse themselves at their ease, and we, on the other hand, languish in misery, let us learn to fear the vengeance of God, which is hidden from fleshly eyes, and find our satisfaction in the secret delights of the spiritual life.