The Meaning of 1 Thessalonians 1:4 Explained

1 Thessalonians 1:4

KJV: Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

YLT: having known, brethren beloved, by God, your election,

Darby: knowing, brethren beloved by God, your election.

ASV: knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Knowing,  brethren  beloved,  your  election  of  God. 

What does 1 Thessalonians 1:4 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 - Imitators And Examples
This chapter abounds in thanksgiving; and the Apostle recites the many beautiful and hopeful traits of character and behavior by which the members of this Christian community had endeared themselves to him. Notice his favorite grouping of faith, hope, and love. We are taught to crave for these in our own soul-garden, and to rejoice to find them blossoming in others. Too often the gospel comes only in word; let us seek the other three accompaniments of 1 Thessalonians 1:5. What a blessed thing it would be if our church life were so full of the Spirit of Christ that the ministers would not need to say anything! "By whose preaching," a lad was asked, "were you converted?" "By no one's preaching," was the reply, "but by my Aunt Mary's living."
There are three memorable steps indicated in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10. Turn unto God: serve Him as true and living: wait for the coming of the Son of man. The last phrase strikes the keynote of this Epistle. The Church is encouraged to stand expectant at the oriel window. Behind her is the night from which she has been delivered, and on the bosom of the dawn shines the morning star. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Thessalonians 1

1  The Thessalonians are told both how mindful of them Paul was in thanksgiving, and prayer;
5  and also how well he was persuaded of the truth and sincerity of their faith and conversion to God

Greek Commentary for 1 Thessalonians 1:4

Knowing [ειδοτες]
Second perfect active participle of οιδα — oida (ειδον — eidon), a so-called causal participle=since we know, the third participle with the principal verb ευχαριστουμεν — eucharistoumen the Greek being fond of the circumstantial participle and lengthening sentences thereby (Robertson, Grammar, P. 1128). [source]
Beloved by God [ηγαπημενοι υπο του τεου]
Perfect passive participle of αγαπαω — agapaō the verb so common in the N.T. for the highest kind of love. Paul is not content with the use of αδελποι — adelphoi here (often in this Epistle as 1 Thessalonians 2:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:14, 1 Thessalonians 2:17; 1 Thessalonians 3:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:10), but adds this affectionate phrase nowhere else in the N.T. in this form (cf. Judges 1:3) though in Sirach 45:1 and on the Rosetta Stone. But in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 he quotes “beloved by the Lord” from Deuteronomy 33:12. The use of αδελποι — adelphoi for members of the same brotherhood can be derived from the Jewish custom (Acts 2:29, Acts 2:37) and the habit of Jesus (Matthew 12:48) and is amply illustrated in the papyri for burial clubs and other orders and guilds (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary). Your election (την εκλογην υμων — tēn eklogēn humōn). That is the election of you by God. It is an old word from εκλεγομαι — eklegomai used by Jesus of his choice of the twelve disciples (John 15:16) and by Paul of God‘s eternal selection (Ephesians 1:4). The word εκλογη — eklogē is not in the lxx and only seven times in the N.T. and always of God‘s choice of men (Acts 9:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; Romans 9:11; Romans 11:5, Romans 11:7, Romans 11:8; 2 Peter 1:10). The divine εκλογη — eklogē was manifested in the Christian qualities of 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (Moffatt). [source]
Your election [την εκλογην υμων]
That is the election of you by God. It is an old word from εκλεγομαι — eklegomai used by Jesus of his choice of the twelve disciples (John 15:16) and by Paul of God‘s eternal selection (Ephesians 1:4). The word εκλογη — eklogē is not in the lxx and only seven times in the N.T. and always of God‘s choice of men (Acts 9:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; Romans 9:11; Romans 11:5, Romans 11:7, Romans 11:8; 2 Peter 1:10). The divine εκλογη — eklogē was manifested in the Christian qualities of 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (Moffatt). [source]
Election of God []
Incorrect. Const. of or by ( ὑπὸ ) God with beloved. Ἑκλογὴ electionin N.T., mostly by Paul. Elsewhere only Acts 9:15, and 2 Peter 1:10. This, and the kindred words, ἐκλέγειν tochoose, and ἐκλεκτὸς chosenor elect, are used of God's selection of men or agencies for special missions or attainments; but neither here nor elsewhere in the N.T. is there any warrant for the revolting doctrine that God has predestined a definite number of mankind to eternal life, and the rest to eternal destruction. The sense in this passage appears to be defined by the succeeding context. The Thessalonians had been chosen to be members of the Christian church, and their conduct had justified the choice. See 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Thessalonians 1:4

Romans 9:11 Neither having done anything good or bad [μηδε πραχαντων τι αγατον η παυλον]
Genitive absolute again with first active participle of πρασσω — prassō On παυλον — phaulon see note on 2 Corinthians 5:10. The purpose of God (η προτεσις του τεου — hē prothesis tou theou). See note on Romans 8:28 for προτεσις — prothesis According to election Old word from εκλεγω — eklegō to select, to choose out. See note on 1 Thessalonians 1:4. Here it is the purpose Not of merit. [source]
Romans 9:11 According to election [κατ εκλογην]
Old word from εκλεγω — eklegō to select, to choose out. See note on 1 Thessalonians 1:4. Here it is the purpose Not of merit. [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:4 Beloved by God [ηγαπημενοι υπο του τεου]
Perfect passive participle of αγαπαω — agapaō the verb so common in the N.T. for the highest kind of love. Paul is not content with the use of αδελποι — adelphoi here (often in this Epistle as 1 Thessalonians 2:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:14, 1 Thessalonians 2:17; 1 Thessalonians 3:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:10), but adds this affectionate phrase nowhere else in the N.T. in this form (cf. Judges 1:3) though in Sirach 45:1 and on the Rosetta Stone. But in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 he quotes “beloved by the Lord” from Deuteronomy 33:12. The use of αδελποι — adelphoi for members of the same brotherhood can be derived from the Jewish custom (Acts 2:29, Acts 2:37) and the habit of Jesus (Matthew 12:48) and is amply illustrated in the papyri for burial clubs and other orders and guilds (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary). Your election (την εκλογην υμων — tēn eklogēn humōn). That is the election of you by God. It is an old word from εκλεγομαι — eklegomai used by Jesus of his choice of the twelve disciples (John 15:16) and by Paul of God‘s eternal selection (Ephesians 1:4). The word εκλογη — eklogē is not in the lxx and only seven times in the N.T. and always of God‘s choice of men (Acts 9:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; Romans 9:11; Romans 11:5, Romans 11:7, Romans 11:8; 2 Peter 1:10). The divine εκλογη — eklogē was manifested in the Christian qualities of 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (Moffatt). [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:4 Your election [την εκλογην υμων]
That is the election of you by God. It is an old word from εκλεγομαι — eklegomai used by Jesus of his choice of the twelve disciples (John 15:16) and by Paul of God‘s eternal selection (Ephesians 1:4). The word εκλογη — eklogē is not in the lxx and only seven times in the N.T. and always of God‘s choice of men (Acts 9:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; Romans 9:11; Romans 11:5, Romans 11:7, Romans 11:8; 2 Peter 1:10). The divine εκλογη — eklogē was manifested in the Christian qualities of 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (Moffatt). [source]
2 Thessalonians 2:13 Beloved of the Lord [ηγαπημενοι υπο κυριου]
Perfect passive participle of αγαπαω — agapaō with υπο — hupo and the ablative as in 1 Thessalonians 1:4, only here κυριου — kuriou instead of τεου — theou the Lord Jesus rather than God the Father. Because that God chose you (οτι ειλατο υμας ο τεος — hoti heilato humas ho theos). First aorist middle indicative of αιρεω — haireō to take, old verb, but uncompounded only in N.T. here, Philemon 1:22; Hebrews 11:25, and here only in sense of choose, that being usually εχαιρεομαι — exaireomai or προοριζω — proorizō From the beginning Probably the correct text (Aleph D L) and not απαρχην — aparchēn (first fruits, B G P), though here alone in Paul‘s writings and a hard reading, the eternal choice or purpose of God (1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9), while απαρχην — aparchēn is a favourite idea with Paul (1 Corinthians 15:20, 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 8:23; Romans 11:16; Romans 16:5). Unto salvation (εις σωτηριαν — eis sōtērian). The ultimate goal, final salvation. In sanctification of the Spirit Subjective genitive πνευματος — pneumatos sanctification wrought by the Holy Spirit. And belief of the truth (και πιστει αλητειας — kai pistei alētheias). Objective genitive αλητειας — alētheias belief in the truth. [source]
2 Peter 1:10 Give the more diligence [μαλλον σπουδασατε]
“Become diligent (first aorist ingressive active imperative of σπουδαζω — spoudazō as in 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 1:15) the more” Present middle infinitive of ποιεω — poieō to make for yourselves.Calling and election Both words See for εκλογη — eklogē 1 Thessalonians 1:4; Romans 9:11.If ye do (ποιουντες — poiountes). Present active circumstantial (conditional) participle of ποιεω — poieō “doing.”Ye shall never stumble Strong double negative (ου μη ποτε — ou mē pote) with first aorist active subjunctive of πταιω — ptaiō old verb to stumble, to fall as in James 2:10; James 3:2. [source]
2 Peter 1:10 Calling and election [κλησιν και εκλογην]
Both words See for εκλογη — eklogē 1 Thessalonians 1:4; Romans 9:11.If ye do (ποιουντες — poiountes). Present active circumstantial (conditional) participle of ποιεω — poieō “doing.”Ye shall never stumble Strong double negative (ου μη ποτε — ou mē pote) with first aorist active subjunctive of πταιω — ptaiō old verb to stumble, to fall as in James 2:10; James 3:2. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Thessalonians 1:4 mean?

knowing brothers beloved by - God the election of you
εἰδότες ἀδελφοὶ ἠγαπημένοι ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ τὴν ἐκλογὴν ὑμῶν

εἰδότες  knowing 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: οἶδα  
Sense: to see.
ἀδελφοὶ  brothers 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀδελφός  
Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother.
ἠγαπημένοι  beloved 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Vocative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀγαπάω  
Sense: of persons.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεοῦ  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
ἐκλογὴν  election 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐκλογή  
Sense: the act of picking out, choosing.
ὑμῶν  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.