The entire message of 1 Thessalonians 1 could be very well-summarized in the word “sacrifice.” Paul commends these Christians for having “paid the price” in order to become Christians. In verse 6, they had willingly accepted the gospel message, despite opposition. By this, Paul says they had become shining examples not just to other Christians in their own mountainous, poverty-stricken region of Macedonia (northern Greece) but also to the more “well-todo” saints who lived in Achaia, where Athens was located…