Paul's Letters to the Thessalonians_03 - Receiving the Word of God

1 Thessalonians 2:1-13 -- Because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the departure of Paul and his companions from the city of Thessalonica, Paul takes some time to reassure the brethren of their genuine love and care for them. In the process he commends them for their initial reception of the gospel that was proclaimed among them--accepting it for what it really is, the Word of God. And it was precisely because they had received the word in this way that they were able to hold fast to it until the end. An example worth imitating ourselves!