# For they themselves

Paul is referring to the churches that already existed in the surrounding regions, who have heard about the Thessalonian believers.

# they themselves

Here "themselves" is used to emphasize those people who had heard about the Thessalonian believers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rpronouns]])

# what kind of reception we had among you

The abstract noun "reception" can be expressed as the verb "receive" or "welcome." Alternate translation: "how warmly you received us" or "how warmly you welcomed us" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy]])

# you turned to God from the idols to serve the living and true God

Here "turned to ... from" is a metaphor that means to start being loyal to one person and stop being loyal to someone else. Alternate translation: "you stopped worshiping idols and started serving the living and true God" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])