1 Thessalonians 1:4 KJV
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

The commentators are want to call this an election unto salvation. I think that is a preconceived notion. Protestant theology, both Calvinist and Arminian, view election as relating to salvation. The context, I believe, points otherwise. There are two key words Paul says motivates his prayers for them:

Remembering
This appears to be concerning their salvation.

• The work of faith that had been wrought in them
• The labor of love that God has accomplished in them and
• Their patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ 

Salvation is a work all of God and in the sight of God the Father.

Knowing
He knew of the election of God to:

• Be followers of Paul’s afflictions 
• Be examples to others in Macedonia and Achaea and abroad 

The election was not one to salvation. That had happened the moment they hoped in Christ. The election concerned their place in the plan of God to make known the gospel.

(I wrote another blog on this same subject here.)

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1 Thessalonians 1:4 (KJV) Their Place In God’s Plan

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