1 Thessalonians 1:3,4 - He has chosen you

1:3

So what does Paul specifically thank God for? Their work produced by faith; their labour prompted by love; and their endurance inspired by hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. Any notion that Paul saw faith and work as opposed is a sign of not reading Paul’s letters. He was against the idea that works earns salvation or righteousness, but he saw no conflict between faith and works. Faith produces works. Faith and love go together, and love is not soppy sentimentality, but it produces concrete action. The Christian life is a battle, and winning it requires endurance. This endurance is inspired by hope in Christ. There is the salvation he has already given us, then the completion of the salvation. Our resurrection life, and our reigning with Him in glory, our seeing God fact to face. We have much to look forward to!

1:4

Paul uses the term “brethren” twenty one times in the letter, indicating the closeness of his relationship with them. Many modern translations will have it as “brothers and sisters”, and this is not wrong. ESV has a footnote saying that the word is adelphoi which can  refer just to men or men and women, depending on the context. Here it clearly refers to the whole church, so “brothers and sisters” is OK. Paul talks about them being chosen by God. In the Old Testament Israel is often referred to as God’s chosen people. We are chosen by God. Now this does not mean that what we do with our lives is of no account, but we should dwell on the fact that we are chosen by God. Our lives are not at the mercy of chance, rather we stand in the grace of God.