1 Thessalonians 1:9

For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God,

The meaning here is that "they themselves," the citizens of Greece, not having to wait for Paul to speak of the conversions of the Thessalonians, reported to Paul the amazing marvel of their wholesale conversion to Christ, dramatically pointed up by the savage beating and imprisonment of Paul and Silas at the beginning of the campaign in Philippi. Here is a glimpse of what an impression the Christian religion was making on the ancient Greek culture. It should be remembered that "not a few" of those in honorable estate accepted Christ in Thessalonica (Acts 17:12).

Ye turned unto God from idols ... Idols were big religion in Greece, and those who thus turned were Gentiles, that is, Greeks. As Clarke said:

This could not be spoken of either the Jews or the devout persons, but of the heathen Greeks; and of such it appears that the majority of the church was formed.[17]

The living God ... "This is an Old Testament term contrasting Jehovah with idols who can do nothing" (Isaiah 41:23).[18]

No negative attitude is sufficient in the sight of God. It was not enough that the Thessalonians had turned from idols, there was likewise a positive side to their conversion: (1) They had come to serve the living and true God, and (2) they waited for the Second Advent (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

[17] Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Holy Bible, Vol. VI (London: Carlton and Porter, 1829), p. 541.

[18] Peter E. Cousins, op. cit., p. 493.