1 Thessalonians 1:7 (KJV)

Passage

So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

Nearby Context

1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

1 Thessalonians 1:7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

1 Thessalonians 1:8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "ensamples", "believe", "macedonia", and "achaia". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "ensamples" and "believe", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 6's "And ye became followers of us and..." into verse 8's "For from you sounded out the word...", so "ensamples" and "believe" belong inside that flow. In 1 Thessalonians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "ensamples" and "believe" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.