1 Thessalonians 2:13–16 is very closely related to 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12. The first section deals with Paul’s arrival in the city of Thessalonica, and the second deals with the Thessalonians’ response to Paul’s preaching when he arrived in the city. Furthermore, the phrase for this reason
(διὰ τοῦτο/dia touto; ESV, And
) at the beginning of 1 Thessalonians 2:13 almost certainly refers back to 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12, thus tying the two sections together.
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.