In 1 Thessalonians 2:8–20, Paul shows the heart of a spiritual leader—loving deeply, living with integrity, and leading by example. He reminds the Thessalonians that they not only received the word of God with power, but welcomed it as holy and wise, allowing it to work in their lives (v.13).

Paul urges them to live lives worthy of God, becoming imitators of Jesus, even in the face of suffering (v.14). Their faithfulness in tribulation reveals a genuine response to the gospel.