In this division, 1 Thessalonians 2:13–16 constitutes the second subdivision, dealing with the Thessalonians' response to Paul's ministry in Thessalonica—which was described in 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12.
After expressing thankfulness for the way that the Thessalonians received God's Word from Paul and his coworkers, the apostle now (1 Thessalonians 2:14–16) provides evidence of their heartfelt acceptance of the Word by noting their willingness to endure suffering for the sake of the gospel.
The passage may be divided into two parts: the first (1 Thessalonians 2:14) deals with the Thessalonians' suffering as an imitation of the churches in Judea; the second (1 Thessalonians 2:15–16), taking its cue from the word Jews
at the end of 1 Thessalonians 2:14, reflects on the historical pattern of persecution which was exemplified in unbelieving Jews.
In part one (1 Thessalonians 2:14), the churches are described in three ways: they are God's, they are in Judea, and they are in Christ Jesus.
In part two (1 Thessalonians 2:15–16), the Jews are described in four ways (1 Thessalonians 2:15). The fourth element of this description is the Jews' hostility, which is explained in 1 Thessalonians 2:16a and followed by a twofold statement of the result of the Jews' opposition to the preaching of the gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:16b-c).
14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,