<p>1:6 <em>And you became imitators of us and of the Lord-&nbsp; </em>See on :5. The idea of consciously modelling, of having some characters as your heroes, your inspiration towards a closer following of God, was very much in Paul's thinking. Not only does he do it himself, but he encourages others to do it. He doesn't use the word 'modelling'; he uses the word 'mimicking', Greek <em>mimicos</em>, normally translated &quot;follow&quot; in the AV. This Greek word is used almost exclusively by Paul. &quot;You became <em>followers</em> of us and of the Lord.... you know how you ought to <em>follow</em> us... an ensample unto you to <em>follow</em> us&quot; (1 Thess. 1:6; 2 Thess. 3:7,9; the implication is that in the gap between 1 and 2 Thessalonians, they stopped following Paul as they initially did straight after his conversion of them).</p><p>We all have more influence on each other than we may think. Quite naturally, the Thessalonians imitated the ecclesias of Judaea and also&nbsp;Paul personally (1 Thess. 1:6; 2:14). And in turn, they became models to all the believers in Macedonia (1 Thess. 1:7). Leadership is essentially a process of influence, rather than a brother standing up and lecturing others. But the Lord used images such as salt, yeast and light to describe <em>all</em> who are in Him. They speak of indirect, constant, transforming influence rather than a frontal assault on the unspirituality of others.</p><p>Paul explains to the Thessalonians that he has consciously lived life before them in order to provide them with a template to copy; and their copying of that template in turn became a pattern to those within their circle of contact to emulate. In this we see the power of example, especially in the preaching of the Gospel: &quot;You know what kind of men we were among you <em>for your sake</em> (i.e. Paul consciously lived as an example to them). And you became followers of us... so that <em>you</em> became examples to all in Macedonia... so that <em>we</em> do not need to say anything because those who had copied Paul's example were effectively his voice to others... for <em>they</em> the converts of the Thessalonians, not Paul themselves declare concerning <em>us</em> what manner of entry we had to <em>you</em> i.e. the converts of the Thessalonians were a reflection of Paul's conversion of the Thessalonians... you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judaea&quot; (1 Thess. 1:6-9; 2:14). This last comment suggests that in imitating Paul, the Thessalonians were imitating the ecclesias in Judaea- perhaps indicating that it was those ecclesias who had initially influenced Paul and been his pattern, and now he was a pattern to the Thessalonians, and they in turn were a pattern to their converts in Macedonia.</p><p><em>Having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit</em>- At the point of conversion and baptism, they received joy on account of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Rom. 5:5 speaks of love too being shed forth in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us. The outpouring of the Spirit is not only at baptism; we continue to be given it if we are open to it. Hence at Acts 13:52 &quot;the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit&quot;, and Paul prays that the Roman believers would be &quot;filled with joy... through the power of the Holy Spirit&quot; (Rom. 15:13). Life in Christ now is about &quot;joy in the Holy Spirit&quot; (Rom. 14:17). One of the fruits brought forth by the Spirit in us is joy (Gal. 5:22).</p>