The Scofield Bible Commentary: 1 Thessalonians: 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1
The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
work of faith
Literally, operative faith, and laborious love, and hope-filled patience.
how ye turned
The tenses of the believer's life here indicated are logical and give the true order. They occur also in (Th1 1:3).
The "work of faith" is to "turn to God from idols";
(compare (Joh 6:28); (Joh 6:29).
The "labour of love" is to "serve the living and true God"; and
The "patience of hope" is to "wait for his Son from heaven".
(compare (Mat 24:42); (Mat 25:13); (Luk 12:36-48); (Act 1:11); (Phi 3:20); (Phi 3:21).
Paul repeats this threefold sequence in (Tit 2:11-13).