John Calvin on 1 Thessalonians 1:5

5 As ye know. Paul, as I have said before, has it as his aim, that the Thessalonians, influenced by the same considerations, may entertain no doubt that they were elected by God. For it had been the design of God, in honoring Paul’s ministry, that he might manifest to them their adoption. Accordingly, having said that they know what manner of persons they had been, “Quels auoyent este St. Paul et ses compagnons;” — “What manner of persons St. Paul and his associates had been.” he immediately adds that he was such for their sake, by which he means that all this had been given them, in order that they might be fully persuaded that they were loved by God, and that their election was beyond all controversy.

1 Thessalonians 1:6-8

6. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

6. Et vos imitatores nostri facti estis et Domini, dum sermonem amplexi estis in tribulatione multa, cum gaudio Spiritus sancti:

7. So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

7. Ita ut fueritis exemplaria omnibus credentibus in Macedonia et in Achaia.

8. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

8. A vobis enim personuit sermo Domini: nec in Macedonia tantum et in Achaia, sed etiam in omni loco, fides vestra quae in Deum est manavit: ita ut non opus habeamus quicquam loqui.