1:3 work of faith. The faith of the Thessalonians, obviously a chief concern for Paul, is referred to again in v. 8; 3:2, 5–7, 10; 5:8.

labor of love. Their love was shown especially in the welcome they gave to the travelers (v. 9). Paul commends their love again in 4:9, 10, where he says they are “taught by God” in their love for one another.

steadfastness of hope. Their eschatological hope is their assurance that the Lord Jesus will return to deliver them from their present troubles and from God’s coming wrath. For the triad of “faith,” “hope,” and “love,” see 5:8; Rom. 5:2–5; 1 Cor. 13:13; Gal. 5:5, 6; Col. 1:4, 5; Heb. 6:10–12; 10:22–24; 1 Pet. 1:3–8, 21, 22.