1:8a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For connects back to 1:7. In 1:7, Paul explained that the Thessalonians had become a model for other believers. In this verse he explained how that happened. Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. Connect this verse to 1:7 in a natural way in your language.

did the message of the Lord ring out from you: Paul used a metaphor here. When someone blows a trumpet or a horn the sound of the instrument spreads out from that place. In a similar way, the Lord’s message had spread out from the Thessalonians to the rest of Greece and beyond.

the message of the Lord: In this context this probably refers to the gospel. Here is another way to translate this:

the message about the Lord (Good News Translation)

The text does not tell us how the gospel went forth from the Thessalonians. They themselves may have sent out missionaries to other towns. Alternatively, travelers and traders may have told people in other places about how the Thessalonian Christians believed in God and how they behaved.

1:8c

every place: This is hyperbole, that is, exaggerated language to emphasize something. It means “many places.” If you cannot use hyperbole in your language, you can clarify it in one of the following ways:

• With a specific statement that means “everywhere that Paul visited.”

• With a general statement, for example “many places.” Most commentators support this view.

Either of these is acceptable. The Display follows the first.

1:8d

so that we have no need to say anything more: This does not mean that Paul and his companions did not need to preach the gospel anymore. It means that they did not need to tell people how the Thessalonians had believed in God.

anything more: Here Paul implies that he does not need to say anything more about what he had just been talking about in 1:8c, the Thessalonians’ faith in God.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.