8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.” (1 Thessalonians 1:8 (ESV)
What is meant by reverberation? To reverberate means (1) a repeated loud noise almost like an echo; (2) to vibrate or be disturbed because of a loud noise; (3) to return or re-echo a sound: and (4) to have a continuing and serious effect upon people and/or places. This fourth definition defines the impact the Thessalonian believers had upon their immediate surroundings and beyond. Through them, the Word of the Lord sounded forth (ἐξήχηται; exechetai) and created what amounted to a turmoil.
Through them, the gospel impacted the regions of Macedonia and Achaia. However, not only did the Thessalonian believers influence these areas, but their faith in God was everywhere. Their commitment, trust, dependence and worship of God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, made a lasting impact. Consequently, Paul, Silas and Timothy did not need to share the gospel to certain people groups because the Thessalonians had already done so.
“Though it may appear that this church developed such a testimony in only three Sabbaths of preaching (cf. Acts 17:2) spanning as little as 15 days, it is better to understand that Paul preached three Sabbaths in the synagogue before he had to relocate elsewhere in the city. In all likelihood, Paul spent months not weeks, which accounts for: 1) the two collections he received from Philippi (Phil. 4:16); 2) the time he worked night and day (1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:8); and 3) the depth of pastoral care evidenced in the letter (1 Thess. 2:7–8, 11),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
“Paul notes that “the word of the Lord” had “sounded forth” from the church at Thessalonica, a clear reference to the proclamation of divine revelation. He also notes that their “faith in God” had “gone forth everywhere” (1 Thess. 1:8). “Faith in God” might refer to the Thessalonians’ own subjective trust in the gospel—the Thessalonians’ belief in the gospel had become known,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“However, it more likely refers to the content of what they believed—the Christian faith was proclaimed from Thessalonica. Thus, the Thessalonians were known for enthusiastically preaching the gospel to as many people as possible. Their faith went forth “everywhere”; that is, Thessalonian believers had gone out from the city with the gospel in every direction, and they had evangelized their provinces so thoroughly that Paul did not need to preach the gospel in those regions any longer (v. 8). Indeed, the Thessalonians were vital players in the early spread of the gospel. Aristarchus, for example, traveled with Paul on some of his missionary journeys (Acts 19:29; 27:2).”
Are you prepared for God to use you in such a way as to make a reverberation in your family, neighborhood, school and/or place of employment? Such an effect is because of a prior cause. The biblical cause to make a sounded forth impact is having a work of faith, a labor of love and a steadfastness of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ (I Thess. 1:3).
“All the believers at Thessalonica had to do was avail themselves of the opportunities which their strategic location afforded,” states Dr. William Hendriksen. The same can be said of believers in Christ today.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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