1 Thessalonians 1:9

They themselves. That is, those who reported to the apostle. These people, of their own accord, told Paul of the great change that had been wrought in Thessalonica by his ministry. Such testimony was even more valuable than any given by the Thessalonians themselves.

Turned to God. Compare the phrase “faith to God-ward” (v. 8). The Thessalonians had turned their back on idols and come face to face with God.

Idols. Paul had just recently come from Athens, where his spirit was greatly stirred because the city was “wholly given to idolatry” (see on Acts 17:16). He was therefore greatly impressed by the way in which the Thessalonians had abandoned their idols in favor of the true God.

To serve. Gr. douleud, “to be a slave,” “to yield obedience” (cf. on Rom. 1:1). The form of the Greek verb conveys the continuous sense, “to keep on serving.”

True. Gr. alethinos, “genuine,” “real.” The living and real God is contrasted with lifeless and false idols. Both Paul and his converts were conscious of the inestimable superiority of the vital Christian religion over all other religions.