English: Easy to Read Version

[1] 1:1 church Literally, "assembly" or "community," the people who have been brought together as God's family through their common faith in Jesus Christ. The word often refers to a group of believers who meet together or who live in the same area, but it is also used to mean the worldwide community of all believers in Christ.

[2] 1:1 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[3] 1:5 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[4] 1:5 Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. In union with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world.

[5] 1:7 Macedonia The northern part of Greece, where Thessalonica and Philippi were.

[6] 1:7 Achaia The region in the southern part of Greece where the ancient cities of Athens and Corinth were located.

[7] 1:9 idol A statue of a false god that people worship. It can also mean anything that is more important to a person than God.

[8] 2:2 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[9] 2:7 apostle A follower of Jesus chosen to represent him in a special way. During his earthly ministry, Jesus named twelve men as apostles, to whom he gave the specific responsibility and authority to represent him and proclaim his message throughout the world. Later, he appeared to Paul and gave him a similar commission, especially to non-Jewish people. Barnabas, Paul's missionary companion, and James, the brother of Jesus, are also called apostles, as well as several others in the New Testament. Some of these occurrences of the word, however, have the more general sense of "messenger" or "emissary."

[10] 2:7 But . gentle Several Greek copies have "But we became babies."

[11] 2:13 message See "Good News."

[12] 2:14 church Literally, "assembly" or "community," the people who have been brought together as God's family through their common faith in Jesus Christ. The word often refers to a group of believers who meet together or who live in the same area, but it is also used to mean the worldwide community of all believers in Christ.

[13] 2:14 Judea The Jewish land where Jesus lived and taught and where the church first began.

[14] 2:15 prophet A person who speaks a message from God. Many of the books in the Old Testament are messages spoken or written by "the prophets," who were some of those God chose to speak for him. God often used dreams or visions to tell or show his prophets what they should say.

[15] 2:18 Satan A name for the devil meaning "the enemy," or "the accuser."

[16] 2:19 crown Literally, "wreath," a ring of leaves or branches that was placed on the head of the winners of athletic contests to honor them. It is a symbol of victory and reward.

[17] 3:1-2 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[18] 3:13 holy Set apart or chosen for a special use; especially, belonging to God or used only for him. Also, pure or perfect, worthy of God and fit for his service. In the New Testament God's people are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep themselves from sin and live only for God.

[19] 3:13 holy people Literally, "saints" or "holy ones," a term used in the New Testament to describe followers of Jesus Christ as God's special people. They are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and belong only to God.

[20] 4:3 holy Set apart or chosen for a special use; especially, belonging to God or used only for him. Also, pure or perfect, worthy of God and fit for his service. In the New Testament God's people are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep themselves from sin and live only for God.

[21] 4:4 God wants . honor to God Or, "God wants each of you to learn to live with your wife in a way that is holy and that gives honor to God."

[22] 4:6 believer Where this word is marked, it is literally "brother," a term used by followers of Jesus Christ to refer to fellow members of God's family.

[23] 4:8 Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. In union with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world.

[24] 4:10 Macedonia The northern part of Greece, where Thessalonica and Philippi were.

[25] 4:16 archangel The leader among God's angels.

[26] 5:4 darkness A symbol of sin and evil, which characterize Satan's kingdom.

[27] 5:5 light A symbol of goodness and truth, which characterize God's kingdom.

[28] 5:5 day A symbol of goodness and truth, which characterize God's kingdom.

[29] 5:5 night A symbol of sin and evil, which characterize Satan's kingdom.

[30] 5:19 Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. In union with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world.

[31] 5:20 prophecy A message or teaching from God. Also, the ability and authority from God to speak for him.

[32] 5:26 the special greeting of God's people Literally, "a holy kiss."

[33] 5:28 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.