“We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work of faith, labor of love, and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:3 HCSB).
This reference to “…your work of faith” offers a wide range of potential applications for those who are reading this portion of Scripture today. For instance, some may base a “work of faith” on a program, method, or approach. Others may base a work of faith on a talent, skill, or ability. While those things are important, the passage quoted above reminds us that a genuine work of faith should originate in “…in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
You see, a person who bases a work of faith on something other than Christ is likely to discover that methods often fail and skills eventually fade. As Jesus Himself reminded us, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Next, one source associates a “work of faith” with our initial acceptance of Christ…
“Their work of faith probably refers primarily to their conversion to God. This description of faith as a work reminds us of the time some people asked Jesus, ‘What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent’ (Joh_6:28-29). In this sense, faith is an act or deed. But it is not toil by which a man earns merit or in which he can boast.
In fact, it is the only work that man can perform without robbing Christ of His glory as Savior and without denying his own status as a helpless sinner. Faith is a non-meritorious work by which the creature acknowledges his Creator and the sinner acknowledges his Savior. The expression work of faith also includes the life of faith which follows conversion.” (1)
Finally, another commentator applies this concept to the arena of secular employment…
“There is work which is inspired by faith. Nothing tells us more about a man than the way in which he works. He may work in fear of the whip; he may work for hope of gain; he may work from a grim sense of duty; or he may work inspired by faith. His faith is that this is his task given him by God and that he is working in the last analysis not for men but for God. Someone has said that the sign of true consecration is when a man can find glory in drudgery.” (2)
(1) William Macdonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary (p.2023) Edited by Arthur Farstad Thomas Nelson Publishers
(2) Barclay, William. “Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 1:4”. “William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dsb/1-thessalonians-1.html. 1956-1959.