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| 1 | Book | Chapter | Verse | ID | SupportReference | OrigQuote | Occurrence | GLQuote | OccurrenceNote |
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| 2 | 1TH | front | intro | jp2y | 0 | # Introduction to 1 Thessalonians<br><br>## Part 1: General Introduction<br><br>### Outline of the Book of 1 Thessalonians<br><br>In this letter, the apostle Paul, along with Silvanus and Timothy, encourages and makes appeals to the Thessalonian Church (See: rc://en/tw/bible/names/thessalonica.md). Paul is the spokesman for all of them, using “we” to refer to the group, but in certain places Paul speaks for himself using “I” (See [2:18](../02/18.md); 3:5; 5:27). The background story for the apostles’ activity in Thessalonica can be found in Acts 17:1-10.<br><br>1. Apostolic memories of the Thessalonian Church (1:1-10)<br><br> * Greeting (1:1)<br> * Thanksgiving for the Thessalonian Christians (1:2-4)<br> * Examples of Thessalonian suffering (1:6-10)<br><br>1. Apostolic authority (2:1-16)<br><br> * Persecution of the Church (2:1-13)<br> * Opposition to the Church (2:14-16)<br><br>1. Timothy’s visit to Thessalonica (3:1-13)<br><br> * Reason for the visit (3:1-5)<br> * Report about the visit (3:6-13)<br><br>1. Apostolic teachings (4:1-18)<br><br> * Holiness (4:1-8)<br> * Christian love (4:9-12)<br> * Manner of the Second Coming of Christ (4:13-18)<br><br>1. Final teachings (5:1-28)<br><br> * Timing of the Second Coming of Christ (5:1-10)<br> * Final appeals and teachings (5:11-28)<br><br>### Who wrote 1 Thessalonians?<br><br>Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians, with the agreement of Silvanus and Timothy. Paul was from the city of Tarsus. He had been known as Saul in his early life. Before becoming a Christian, Paul was a Pharisee. He persecuted Christians. After he became a Christian, he traveled several times throughout the Roman Empire telling people about Jesus. Paul wrote this letter while staying in the city of Corinth. Of all Paul’s letters that are in the Bible, many scholars think 1 Thessalonians was the first letter Paul wrote.<br><br>Silvanus is also mentioned in 2 Corinthians 1:19; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12. “Silas,” the name used in the book of Acts, is a contracted form of Silvanus and considered to be the same person. Timothy was leader of the church at Ephesus (see 1 Timothy 1:1-4). Paul wrote this letter while staying in the city of Corinth with these two men. The mention of all three men in 1:1 indicates they were in Thessalonica together at some point. Many scholars think 1 Thessalonians was the first letter that Paul wrote.<br><br>### What is the Book of 1 Thessalonians about?<br><br>Paul wrote this letter to the church in the city of Thessalonica, after the Jews in the city forced him to leave. Ancient Thessalonica was located on the southeast coast of ancient Macedonia, and is now called Thessaloniki, located in northeast Greece. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background). Paul wrote it. In this letter Paul said he considered his visit to them a success, even though he was forced to leave (See Acts 17:1-10).<br><br>Paul responded to the news from Timothy about the Thessalonian believers. The believers there were being persecuted. He encouraged them to continue living in a way that pleased God. He also comforted them by explaining what happens to those who die before Christ returns.<br><br>### How should the title of this book be translated?<br><br>Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, “1 Thessalonians” or “First Thessalonians.” They may instead prefer to choose a clearer title, such as “Paul’s First Letter to the Church in Thessalonica,” or “The First Letter to the Church in Thessalonica.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])<br><br>## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts<br><br>### Trinity<br><br>In this letter, the doctrine of the Holy Trinity finds solid support. The terms: God, Father, Son, Lord, Jesus, and Holy Spirit appear numerous times. (See: rc://en/tw/bible/kt/god.md)<br><br>### The Gospel<br><br>In this letter, Paul frequently refers to the apostles’ ministry of the gospel and uses different phrases to communicate the concept of God’s good news about Jesus Christ. (See: rc://en/tw/bible/kt/goodnews.md)<br><br>### Prayer<br><br>Paul reassures the Thessalonians that his group of apostles frequently prays for them (See [1:2](../01/02.md). He also gives instructions about prayer (See [5:2](../05/17.md), and asks the Thessalonians to pray for them (See [5:25](../05/25.md)). (See: rc://en/tw/bible/kt/pray.md)<br><br>### Faith and Faithfulness<br><br>Through the letter the Thessalonians are commended for their faithfulness to God. They are reminded to trust God and remain faithful to Gospel living. (See: [[rc://en/tw/bible/kt/faithful.md]])(See: [[rc://en/tw/bible/kt/faith.md]])<br><br>### Apostolic authority<br><br>Much of this letter is a defense of the apostles authority, based on their teaching and living. The term “apostles” is used in [2:6](../02/06.md) to reinforce that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy are sent by God. (See: [[rc://en/tw/bible/kt/apostle.md]])<br><br>### Second Coming of Christ<br><br>Paul wrote much in this letter about Jesus’ eventual return to Earth. When Jesus returns, he will judge all mankind. He will also rule over creation, and there will be peace everywhere.<br><br>### The Fate of reposed Christians<br><br>Paul made clear that those who who die before Christ’s return will come back to life and be with Jesus. They will not remain dead forever. Paul wrote this to encourage the Thessalonians. For some of them worried that those Christians who died would miss the great “day of the Lord” when Jesus returns.<br><br>### Idolatry<br><br>The Greek and Roman cultural background in Thessalonica meant that many members of the church were former pagans who practiced some sort of idolatry (See [1:9](../01/09.md)(See: [[rc://en/tw/bible/other/image.md]]).<br><br>### Suffering<br><br>Much of this letter addresses both the sufferings of the apostles and the Thessalonian Church for faithfulness to the gospel. (See: [[rc://en/tw/bible/other/afflict.md]])(See: [[rc://en/tw/bible/other/persecute.md]])(See: [[rc://en/tw/bible/other/suffer.md]])<br><br>### Sanctification<br><br>The concept of holiness is prevalent in this letter. Chapter four discusses how a Christian should practice a holy life. (See: [[rc://en/tw/bible/kt/sanctify.md]])<br><br>## Part 3: Important Translation Issues<br><br>### What did Paul mean by expressions like “in Christ” and “in Christ Jesus” and “in the Lord Jesus Christ” and “in God the Father” and “in the Holy Spirit”?<br><br>Paul meant to express the idea of a union between God and Christians that includes all three persons of the Trinity. Please see the introduction to the Book of Romans for more details about these kind of expressions.<br><br>### What did Paul mean by expressions like “his coming” and “the coming of the Lord Jesus” and “the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ”?<br><br>Paul used “coming” in a specific way in relation to Jesus Christ to refer to the time when he will come again to earth, this time displaying his glory and power and gathering his people to himself. Depending on the nuances of your language, you may need to translate this with a special concept or word.<br><br>### What did Paul mean by expressions like “the word of God” or “the word of the Lord”?<br><br>Throughout this letter, Paul uses these well-known phrases or abbreviations to refer to the Gospel message.<br><br>### What did Paul mean by expressions like “brothers”?<br><br>Throughout this letter, “brothers” is a metaphor that that refers to all believers, including females. (See [1:4](../01/04.md); 2:1, 9, 14, 17; 3:7; 4:1, 6, 10, 13; 5:1, 4, 12, 14, 26, 27)<br><br>### “We” and “you”<br><br>In this letter, the words “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, unless otherwise noted. In addition, “we”, “us” and “our” are used to convey that all three apostles are in agreement with the letter.<br><br>### Major textual issues in the text of the book of First Thessalonians<br><br>When ancient manuscripts of the Bible differ, ULT puts the reading that scholars consider to be the most accurate in its text, but it puts other possibly accurate readings in footnotes. The introductions to each chapter will discuss places where the ancient manuscripts differ in significant ways, and notes will address those places again where they occur in the book. If a translation of the Bible already exists in your region, consider using the readings found in that version. If not, we recommend that you follow the readings in the ULT text. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants)<br><br>* “Grace and peace to you” (See [1:1](../01/01.md)). Some other manuscripts read: “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”<br>* “but we became little children in the midst of you, as if a mother might comfort her own children” (See [2:7](../02/07.md)). Some other manuscripts read, “Instead, we were as gentle among you as a mother comforting her own children.”<br>* “Timothy, our brother and a servant of God” (See [3:2](../03/02.md)). Some other manuscripts read: “Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God.”<br><br>(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) | |||
| 3 | 1TH | 1 | intro | y8c5 | 0 | # 1 Thessalonians 1 General Notes<br><br>## Outline of 1 Thessalonians 1<br><br>1. Greeting (1:1)<br>2. Prayer of thanksgiving for the Thessalonian Church (1:2-10)<br>* Memory of the Thessalonians (1:2-5)<br> * apostolic prayers (1:2)<br> * work of the Thessalonians (1:2-3)<br> * God’s election of the Thessalonians (1:4-5)<br>* Thessalonians’ example (1:6-10)<br> * reception of the apostles’ teaching (1:6)<br> * examples to Macedonia and Achaia (1:7-10)<br> * example of suffering (1:7)<br> * preaching of the gospel (1:8)<br> * turned away from idolatry to God (1:9)<br> * waiting for the Second Coming of Christ (1:10)<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>Verse 1 formally introduces this letter. Letters in the ancient Near East commonly had introductions of this type.<br>Verses 2-4 give a general thanksgiving and encouragement to the Thessalonian Church.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Trinity<br><br>God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are mentioned numerous times in this chapter. They are described in their identity, activity, and the union that the Christian has in them.<br><br>### Hardship<br><br>Like the apostles before them, the Thessalonian church endured persecution for the sake of the gospel. The way that they responded with faith to the gospel message even in affliction and then preached that gospel to others made them examples to the churches throughout the regions of Macedonia and Achaia.<br><br>### Faithfulness<br><br>Paul mentions the faithfulness of the Thessalonian church throughout this chapter. See, for example, “work of faith” in 1:3, “example to all those who believe” in 1:7, and “faith toward God” in 1:8. | |||
| 4 | 1TH | 1 | 1 | ms5e | figs-ellipsis | Παῦλος, καὶ Σιλουανὸς, καὶ Τιμόθεος; τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ | 1 | Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church | Here, some words are omitted that a sentence would need in order to be complete in many languages. Alternate translation: “We are Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, writing to the church” (See rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis) |
| 5 | 1TH | 1 | 1 | zivb | figs-explicit | Παῦλος, καὶ Σιλουανὸς, καὶ Τιμόθεος | 1 | Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church | Paul is understood to be the author of this letter. Silvanus and Timothy are with him as he writes and are in agreement with what he writes. If that might not be understood in your language, you could include this information in your translation. Alternate translation: “I, Paul, together with Silvanus and Timothy, write” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 6 | 1TH | 1 | 1 | r7n0 | translate-names | Σιλουανὸς | 1 | Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church | The name **Silvanus** is a longer form of the name **Silas**, the form of the name used for this same man in the book of Acts. You could choose to use the shorter form here, as well, or you could choose to use the longer form here and include a footnote explaining that they are forms of the same name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 7 | 1TH | 1 | 1 | z7wu | figs-metaphor | ἐν Θεῷ Πατρὶ καὶ Κυρίῳ Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ | 1 | Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church | Here, Paul speaks figuratively of the believers as though they were occupying space inside of God and Jesus. This metaphor expresses the idea that believers are spiritually united to God and Jesus. If this might be misunderstood in your language, you can express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternative translation: “united to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” or “sharing life with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 8 | 1TH | 1 | 1 | vlb3 | guidelines-sonofgodprinciples | Θεῷ Πατρὶ καὶ Κυρίῳ Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ | 1 | When **God** is called **Father** (See [1:3](../01/03..md)) it is meant to highlight his relationship to **Jesus** as “Son” (See [1:10](../01/10..md)). Here, the Old Testament title for **God**, **Lord**, is applied to **Jesus**, equating him with **God**. Be sure to accurately translate these titles in your translation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]]) | |
| 9 | 1TH | 1 | 1 | luw5 | translate-blessing | χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη | 1 | Grace and peace to you | This phrase is a common biblical blessing formula and greeting (See Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:3; Eph. 1:2; Phil. 1:2; Col. 1:2; 2 Th. 1:2; Philem. 1:3; 1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Pet. 1:2; Rev. 1:4). Use a form that people would recognize as a blessing that could be used as a greeting in your language. Alternate translation: “May God give you his grace and peace” or “I pray that God shows you favor and keeps you safe” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-blessing]]) |
| 10 | 1TH | 1 | 1 | qx70 | figs-abstractnouns | χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη | 1 | Grace and peace to you | The words **grace** and **peace** are abstract nouns. Your language may have a particular way of expressing these concepts, such as with verbs or description words. If so, you can use them in your translation. Alternate translation: “We pray that God will treat you kindly and give you peaceful relationships.” Also see the UST. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns) |
| 11 | 1TH | 1 | 1 | nn67 | figs-you | ὑμῖν | 1 | to you | Throughout this letter, the word **you** is plural and refers to the church of Thessalonica, unless otherwise noted. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you) |
| 12 | 1TH | 1 | 2 | of3g | figs-infostructure | εὐχαριστοῦμεν…ποιούμενοι | 1 | In this verse, Paul describes the apostles’ prayers for the Thessalonians in two clauses. The first clause is specific, that they **give thanks to God**, and the second is general, that they **make mention** of them. If it would be clearer in your language you can reverse the order of the clauses. See the UST. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure) | |
| 13 | 1TH | 1 | 2 | o7cp | figs-hyperbole | πάντοτε…μνείαν ποιούμενοι ἐπὶ τῶν προσευχῶν ἡμῶν, ἀδιαλείπτως | 1 | Here, the words **always** and **continually** are exaggerations that figuratively express the intensity and frequency of the prayers offered up to God by Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy for the Thessalonians. If your language would not use exaggeration in this way, use plain language and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “We regularly give thanks to God for all of you, very often making mention of you in our prayers” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole) | |
| 14 | 1TH | 1 | 3 | ecw0 | figs-idiom | μνημονεύοντες | 1 | The main verb of this sentence is “we give thanks” (See [1:2](../01/02.md)). The phrase **remembering…before our God and Father** is an idiom that also means to thank God in prayer. The apostles are remembering these things about the Thessalonians and thanking God for them. If it would be helpful for your readers, you could move the phrase **before our God and Father** to follow **remembering**. Alternate translation: “offering thanks for…to our God and Father” or “gratefully mentioning to our God and Father” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom) | |
| 15 | 1TH | 1 | 3 | w769 | figs-possession | τοῦ ἔργου τῆς πίστεως, καὶ τοῦ κόπου τῆς ἀγάπης, καὶ τῆς ὑπομονῆς τῆς ἐλπίδος | 1 | Paul uses three pairs of words in a possessive relationship here. The most likely meaning of this possessive relationship is that the second word of each pair is the motivation for the first word of the pair. Alternate translation: “work motivated by faith and labor because of love and endurance based on future promises” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession) | |
| 16 | 1TH | 1 | 3 | kr8q | figs-possession | τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ | 1 | The words **hope in our Lord Jesus Christ** is a possessive form. The relationship between **our Lord Jesus Christ** and **hope** could be: (1) Jesus is the object of hope. Alternate translation: “that our Lord Jesus Christ will do what he has promised” (2) Jesus is the source of hope. Alternate translation: “that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession) | |
| 17 | 1TH | 1 | 3 | tvrg | figs-hendiadys | τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν | 1 | Here, **our God and Father** refers to the one divine person who is both God and Father. This phrase is a hendiadys, since Father further describes God. Alternate translation: “God our Father” or “our Father God” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys) | |
| 18 | 1TH | 1 | 3 | v01e | figs-exclusive | ἡμῶν | 1 | Here, **our** refers to Paul, Silvanus, Timothy, and the Thessalonian church. All believers are the spiritual children of God the Father through Jesus. Your language may require you to mark these forms. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive) | |
| 19 | 1TH | 1 | 4 | psc4 | grammar-connect-time-simultaneous | εἰδότες | 1 | Here, **knowing** continues the simultaneous description of how the writers of this letter “give thanks” (See UST). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]]) | |
| 20 | 1TH | 1 | 4 | qx5o | figs-nominaladj | ἀδελφοὶ ἠγαπημένοι ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ | 1 | This phrase acts as nominal adjective that describes the Thessalonian Church in relational terms. They are spiritual siblings in their relationship with the writers of the letter, and beloved children in their relationship with **God** the Father (See [1:3](../01/03.md)). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]]) | |
| 21 | 1TH | 1 | 4 | erb6 | figs-metaphor | ἀδελφοὶ | 1 | brothers | Throughout this letter, **brothers** is a metaphor meaning “fellow Christians” or “fellow believers in Christ.” If your readers would not understand what **brothers** means in this context, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 22 | 1TH | 1 | 4 | egkq | figs-gendernotations | ἀδελφοὶ | 1 | Although the term **brothers** is masculine, Paul is using the word here in a generic sense that includes both males and females. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” or “spiritual brothers and sisters” or “fellow believers in Christ” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) | |
| 23 | 1TH | 1 | 4 | kiz3 | ἠγαπημένοι | 1 | The word translated **loved** indicates a past relationship with continuing results (literally, “has been and/or continues to be loved”). If your language has this verbal distinction, you could emphasize the past and present nuances in your translation. Alternate translation: “who have always been loved” or “who are continually loved” | ||
| 24 | 1TH | 1 | 4 | j08t | figs-activepassive | ἠγαπημένοι ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ | 1 | If it is clearer in your language, this passive form **loved** could be changed to an active form. Alternate translation: “whom God has always loved” (see UST)(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) | |
| 25 | 1TH | 1 | 4 | t70n | grammar-connect-logic-result | τὴν ἐκλογὴν ὑμῶν | 1 | This phrase **your election** is the direct objective of **knowing** and the beginning of a result clause. The reason why the writers of this letter know that the Thessalonians have been chosen as God’s people is found in the following verse. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) | |
| 26 | 1TH | 1 | 4 | ohtl | figs-abstractnouns | τὴν ἐκλογὴν ὑμῶν, | 1 | Here, **your election** is an abstract noun phrase. If this is unclear in your language, you could change this abstract noun to a verb form. Alternate translation: “that he chose you to belong to him,” or “that he ordained you to be his children,” or starting a new sentence, “God selected you to be his people.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) | |
| 27 | 1TH | 1 | 5 | jxfs | grammar-connect-logic-result | ὅτι | 1 | Here, **because** is the marker of a result clause. The writers of this letter are certain of the “election” and identity of the Thessalonian Church as God’s people [1:4](../01/04.md), **because** they received the gospel message in all the ways described in verse 5. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) | |
| 28 | 1TH | 1 | 5 | ude4 | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | τὸ εὐαγγέλιον ἡμῶν οὐκ ἐγενήθη εἰς ὑμᾶς ἐν λόγῳ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐν δυνάμει, καὶ ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ, καὶ πληροφορίᾳ πολλῇ | 1 | not in word only | The writers of this letter use a contrasting clause to emphasis the multi-faceted effect of the gospel. Alternate translation: “our gospel preaching did not come to you as only a simple message, but even accompanied with power and the Holy Spirit and full assurance” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) |
| 29 | 1TH | 1 | 5 | sm4j | grammar-connect-time-simultaneous | τὸ εὐαγγέλιον ἡμῶν οὐκ ἐγενήθη εἰς ὑμᾶς ἐν λόγῳ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐν δυνάμει, καὶ ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ, καὶ πληροφορίᾳ πολλῇ | 1 | not in word only | If it is clearer in your language, you could change this extended phrase to a simultaneous clause, framed in a positive way. Alternate translation: “our gospel message was completely validated: by our words, by a display of power, by the Holy Spirit, by your own full assurance” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]]) |
| 30 | 1TH | 1 | 5 | h675 | ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐν δυνάμει, καὶ ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ | 1 | but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit | This refers to: (1) the **Holy Spirit** gave the apostles the ability to preach the **gospel** powerfully. See UST (2) the **Holy Spirit** caused the preaching of the **gospel** to have a powerful effect among the Thessalonian Church. Alternate translation: “but also empowered by the Holy Spirit” (3) the **Holy Spirit** demonstrated the truth of the **gospel** preaching through displays of **power**. Alternate translation: “but also with powerful signs from the Holy Spirit” | |
| 31 | 1TH | 1 | 5 | t1w3 | figs-abstractnouns | πληροφορίᾳ πολλῇ | 1 | in much assurance | Here, **assurance** is an abstract noun. If your language does not use an abstract noun for this idea, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **assurance** in another way. Alternate translation: “the Holy Spirit gave you full confidence” or “the Holy Spirit fully convinced you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 32 | 1TH | 1 | 5 | wdr7 | καθὼς οἴδατε οἷοι | 1 | The phrase **just as you know what kind of men** is used by writers of this letter to validate the gospel message, by the example of their own conduct amongst the Thessalonian Church. Alternate translation: “you even experienced it for yourself” or “you are well aware how we behaved” | ||
| 33 | 1TH | 1 | 6 | cs49 | figs-abstractnouns | καὶ ὑμεῖς μιμηταὶ ἡμῶν ἐγενήθητε καὶ τοῦ Κυρίου | 1 | you became imitators | If your language would not use a noun for the idea behind **imitators**, you could translate this with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “And all of you mimicked us and the Lord” or “And all of you copied us and the Lord” or “And all of you behaved like us and the Lord” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns) |
| 34 | 1TH | 1 | 6 | kgjr | ὑμεῖς | 1 | you became imitators | The word translated **you** is in a position that gives it special emphasis as a new topic. Use a natural way in your language to show that Paul is now going to talk about the Thessalonians. Alternate translation: “on your part, you” or “you yourselves” | |
| 35 | 1TH | 1 | 6 | b607 | figs-explicit | τοῦ Κυρίου | 1 | **Lord** here refers to Jesus, as in [1:3](../01/03.md). Throughout this letter, whenever Paul uses the title **Lord** it refers to Jesus. If it would be helpful to your readers, you can include the name here. See the UST. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit) | |
| 36 | 1TH | 1 | 6 | w222 | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | μετὰ χαρᾶς Πνεύματος Ἁγίου | 1 | If it is natural in your language, you may want to indicate a contrast between this phrase and the one before it. Alternate translation: “In spite of that, you had joy from the Holy Spirit” or “even so, the Holy Spirit caused you to be joyful” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast) | |
| 37 | 1TH | 1 | 6 | c2hl | figs-metonymy | τὸν λόγον | 1 | Here, **the word** figuratively represents a message that is made up of words. It refers to the same message called “our gospel” in [1:5](../01/05.md). If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “the gospel message” or “God’s message” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) | |
| 38 | 1TH | 1 | 6 | wura | figs-abstractnouns | ἐν θλίψει πολλῇ | 1 | If your language would not use an abstract noun for the idea behind **hardship**, you could translate this with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “while you were deeply distressed” or “as people made you suffer” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns) | |
| 39 | 1TH | 1 | 6 | r7o6 | figs-abstractnouns | μετὰ χαρᾶς Πνεύματος Ἁγίου | 1 | If your language would not use an abstract noun for the idea behind **joy**, you could translate this with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “you rejoiced because of the Holy Spirit” or “but remaining joyful because of the Holy Spirit” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns) | |
| 40 | 1TH | 1 | 6 | ohen | figs-possession | μετὰ χαρᾶς Πνεύματος Ἁγίου | 1 | Paul is using the possessive form to describe a relationship between **the Holy Spirit** and **joy**. This relationship could be: (1) the Holy Spirit is the source of joy. Alternate translation: “with joy from the Holy Spirit” or “as the Holy Spirit caused you to rejoice” (2) joy is the response to having the Holy Spirit. Alternate translation: “with the joy of those who belong to the Holy Spirit” or “with joy because you belong to the Holy Spirit” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) | |
| 41 | 1TH | 1 | 7 | lwbm | grammar-connect-logic-result | ὥστε | 1 | **As a result** indicates that what was spoken about in verse 6 caused the results of verse 7. Use a natural way in your language to introduce verse 7 as the result of verse 6. Alternate translation: “Therefore” or “Because of that” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result) | |
| 42 | 1TH | 1 | 7 | et1h | figs-abstractnouns | γενέσθαι ὑμᾶς τύπους πᾶσιν τοῖς πιστεύουσιν ἐν τῇ Μακεδονίᾳ καὶ ἐν τῇ Ἀχαΐᾳ | 1 | If your language would not use an abstract noun for the idea behind **example**, you could translate this with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia wanted to imitate you” or “all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia started to copy how you live” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns) | |
| 43 | 1TH | 1 | 7 | j1oz | figs-explicit | τοῖς πιστεύουσιν | 1 | The word **believers** here and throughout the letter refers to people who believe or trust in Jesus. If it would be helpful to your readers, you can include that information here. Alternate translation: “those who believe in Jesus” or “those who trust Jesus” or “those who remain faithful to Jesus” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit) | |
| 44 | 1TH | 1 | 7 | xetp | ἐν τῇ Μακεδονίᾳ καὶ ἐν τῇ Ἀχαΐᾳ | 1 | The phrases **in Macedonia** and **in Achaia** mean that **the believers** lived in any part of those provinces. Alternate translation: “throughout Macedonia and Achaia” or “throughout the regions of Macedonia and Achaia” or “across all of Macedonia and Achaia” | ||
| 45 | 1TH | 1 | 8 | da73 | figs-infostructure | ἀφ’ ὑμῶν γὰρ ἐξήχηται ὁ λόγος τοῦ Κυρίου | 1 | By putting **For from you** at the beginning of the sentence, Paul is emphasizing that it was the Thessalonians who have spread the word of God throughout the area. Use a natural way in your language to emphasize this. Alternate translation: “Indeed, it was from you that people heard the word of the Lord” or “Yes, you were the ones who proclaimed the word of the Lord” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure) | |
| 46 | 1TH | 1 | 8 | smjv | grammar-connect-words-phrases | ἀφ’ ὑμῶν γὰρ | 1 | This verse connects to verse 7 as an explanation of how the Thessalonian Church became an example of faithfulness to God throughout Macedonia and Achaia and beyond. Use a word or phrase that introduces an explanation in your language. Alternate translation: “Certainly, from you” or “Indeed from all of you” or “Because from you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) | |
| 47 | 1TH | 1 | 8 | qyk6 | figs-metonymy | ὁ λόγος τοῦ Κυρίου | 1 | the word of the Lord | The phrase **the word of the Lord** figuratively refers to “the whole message of the Lord’s gospel.” Alternate translation: “the gospel message about the Lord Jesus Christ” or “the Lord’s gospel message” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 48 | 1TH | 1 | 8 | sht4 | figs-metaphor | ἐξήχηται | 1 | has been sounded out | Here, **has been sounded out** uses a metaphor of a ringing bell or resounding instrument that can be heard from far away to describe how clearly and far the news of the Thessalonians’ faithfulness to God has spread throughout the world. If this might be misunderstood in your language, use an equivalent metaphor or plain language. Alternate translation: “has shone forth” or “has spread far and wide” or “has been heard” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor) |
| 49 | 1TH | 1 | 8 | esk9 | figs-synecdoche | ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν ἡ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν | 1 | Here, **faith** stands for the way that the Thessalonian church lived in faithful obedience to God. If this might be misunderstood in your language, use an expanded phrase. Alternate translation: “news of the way that you trust in God” or “the report about your faithfulness toward God” or “your faithful example before God” (See rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche) | |
| 50 | 1TH | 1 | 8 | lxc3 | figs-metaphor | ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν ἡ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν ἐξελήλυθεν | 1 | Here, **your faith toward God has gone out** is a metaphor that pictures **faith** as something that can travel. This metaphor has the same meaning as the previous one about the sound of a bell going out. It means that the news of the Thessalonians’ faithfulness to God has spread very far. If this might be misunderstood in your language, use an equivalent metaphor or plain language. Alternate translation: “people have heard about your faith toward God in every place” or “news of your trust in God has been heard in every place” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor) | |
| 51 | 1TH | 1 | 8 | wtg5 | figs-hyperbole | ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ | 1 | The phrase **into every place** is a hyperbole. If this might be misunderstood in your language, use plain language. Alternate translation: “all over the inhabited world” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole) | |
| 52 | 1TH | 1 | 8 | z9eu | grammar-connect-logic-result | ὥστε μὴ χρείαν ἔχειν ἡμᾶς λαλεῖν τι | 1 | **Therefore** marks what follows as the result of what came before. Because the gospel message and faithful model of the Thessalonian Church was so effective, the writers of this letter have no need to add anything to it. Use a natural way in your language to show this result relationship. Alternate translation: “This is why we have no reason to say anything more” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result) | |
| 53 | 1TH | 1 | 9 | nsws | grammar-connect-words-phrases | γὰρ | 1 | Here, **For** is used to emphasize and explain why the writers of this letter do not need to **say anything** [1:8](../01/08.md). Alternate translation: “Because” or “Indeed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) | |
| 54 | 1TH | 1 | 9 | rd2b | figs-rpronouns | αὐτοὶ γὰρ περὶ ἡμῶν ἀπαγγέλλουσιν | 1 | they themselves report | The writers of the letter use the pronoun **themselves** to emphasize at least two things: (1) These are the same people who heard about the Thessalonians’ gospel message and way of life. (2) The way the writers of this letter know that the Thessalonians’ gospel message and way of life has spread “into every place” is from the **report**. Alternate translation: “Those people who heard about the Thessalonian Church tell” or “These same people proclaim” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns]]) |
| 55 | 1TH | 1 | 9 | vq7j | ἀπαγγέλλουσιν | 1 | Alternate translation: “these same people are sending out the message” or “they themselves are proclaiming” | ||
| 56 | 1TH | 1 | 9 | v145 | figs-abstractnouns | ὁποίαν εἴσοδον ἔσχομεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς | 1 | what kind of reception we had with you | If your language does not use a noun for the idea behind the abstract noun **reception**, you can express that idea with a verb or in another way. Alternate translation: “how readily you received us” or “how enthusiastically you welcomed us” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns) |
| 57 | 1TH | 1 | 9 | xeff | figs-explicit | ὁποίαν εἴσοδον ἔσχομεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς | 1 | what kind of reception we had with you | Paul implies that the **kind of reception** they had from the Thessalonians was a good one. If that would not be understood by your readers, you could indicate it explicitly. Alternate translation: “what a good reception we had with you” or “how gladly you welcomed us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 58 | 1TH | 1 | 9 | dkv4 | figs-idiom | πῶς ἐπεστρέψατε πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν | 1 | you turned to God from the idols to serve the living and true God | Here, the phrase **how you turned** is an idiom that simply refers to the fact that they turned, not to the manner of how they turned. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use plain language. Alternate translation: “that you turned” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 59 | 1TH | 1 | 9 | wpbm | figs-doublet | ἐπεστρέψατε πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν ἀπὸ τῶν εἰδώλων, δουλεύειν Θεῷ ζῶντι καὶ ἀληθινῷ | 1 | you turned to God from the idols to serve the living and true God | If it would be more natural in your language, you can combine the two phrases **to God** and **to serve the living and true God** into one phrase. Alternate translation: “you turned from serving the idols to serve the living and true God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 60 | 1TH | 1 | 9 | u1um | figs-metaphor | ἐπεστρέψατε πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν ἀπὸ τῶν εἰδώλων | 1 | you turned to God from the idols to serve the living and true God | Paul speaks figuratively of the Thessalonian believers as if they had been facing toward their idols and then turned around to face toward God. He means that they no longer worship idols but now they worship God. If this metaphor might be misunderstood in your language, use an equivalent metaphor from your culture or express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “you started worshipping God and left the idols behind” or “you abandoned the idols so that you could worship God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 61 | 1TH | 1 | 9 | fa47 | grammar-connect-logic-goal | δουλεύειν | 1 | Here, **to serve** introduces a purpose clause. The reason why these people stopped worshipping idols was in order to serve God. Use a natural method of introducing a purpose clause in your language. Alternate translation: “in order to begin serving” or “for the purpose of serving” or “so that you could serve” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal) | |
| 62 | 1TH | 1 | 9 | gv76 | figs-parallelism | ἀπὸ τῶν εἰδώλων, δουλεύειν Θεῷ ζῶντι καὶ ἀληθινῷ | 1 | This phrase expresses parallelism, by contrasting the deadness and falseness of idols with the living and real God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) | |
| 63 | 1TH | 1 | 9 | ou5h | figs-explicit | ἀπὸ τῶν εἰδώλων, δουλεύειν Θεῷ ζῶντι καὶ ἀληθινῷ | 1 | By using the terms **living and true** to describe God, Paul is implying that these terms do not apply to the idols or to the gods that those idols represent. The idols themselves are made of materials that are not alive. The gods that they represent are living beings, but they are not **true** gods because people do not owe them obedience or worship as they do to the God who created them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could include this information in the text or a footnote. Alternate translation: “from worshipping the non-living statues of false gods in order to serve the real God who is alive” or “from the dead idols in order to serve the God who lives and deserves our worship” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit) | |
| 64 | 1TH | 1 | 10 | wkt5 | grammar-connect-logic-goal | καὶ ἀναμένειν τὸν Υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν | 1 | The phrase **and to wait** adds a second purpose for which the Thessalonian believers stopped worshipping idols. Use a natural method for connecting this as another purpose clause in your language. Alternate translation: “and also to wait expectantly for the second coming of his Son from heaven” (See the Introduction to 1 Thessalonians, Part 2 for a discussion of the Second Coming of Christ.) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]]) | |
| 65 | 1TH | 1 | 10 | og49 | guidelines-sonofgodprinciples | τὸν Υἱὸν αὐτοῦ | 1 | **Son** is an important title for Jesus that describes his relationship to God the Father. Alternate translation: “God’s only Son” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples) | |
| 66 | 1TH | 1 | 10 | wil8 | ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν | 1 | Here, the phrase translated **from the heavens** expresses the spiritual place where God is and where Jesus is currently located. It is the place from where he will return to the physical location of Earth. Make sure that your translation means this and not merely “the sky.” Alternate translation: “from the place where God is” or “from God’s realm” | ||
| 67 | 1TH | 1 | 10 | pmi8 | writing-pronouns | ὃν ἤγειρεν ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν, Ἰησοῦν, | 1 | whom he raised | Here, **whom** is a reference to **Son**, who is the same person as Jesus. Also, **he** and **his** refer back to God in [1:9](../01/09.md). So, it is God who raised Jesus from the dead. You can make the subject God explicit in your translation if the use of the pronoun is unclear in your language. Alternate translation: “Jesus, whom God raised from the dead” or “whom God resurrected from the dead. This is Jesus” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns) |
| 68 | 1TH | 1 | 10 | ffro | figs-idiom | ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν | 1 | Here, the phrase translated **the dead** is plural and a common biblical concept that refers to “dead people.” It means that Jesus physically died and was buried. If your language has a word or phrase for the place that dead people go, you could use it here. Alternate translation: “from the place where dead people are” or “from death” or “from the place where corpses are” or “from the grave” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom) | |
| 69 | 1TH | 1 | 10 | dbcl | figs-distinguish | Ἰησοῦν, τὸν ῥυόμενον ἡμᾶς | 1 | The clause **the one rescuing us** is functioning as an adjective that describes Jesus in his role as rescuer. It makes this action of rescuing to be a characteristic of Jesus or even a title: “the rescuer.” Translate this in a way that makes this a description of Jesus. Alternate translation: “Jesus, our rescuer” or “Jesus, who rescues us” or “Jesus, the one who is going to rescue us” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish) | |
| 70 | 1TH | 1 | 10 | yh5s | figs-explicit | τὸν ῥυόμενον | 1 | Here, **rescuing** does not mean being taken away from God’s wrath after experiencing it. Instead, it means being taken away from any danger of experiencing God’s wrath. Alternate translation: “the one saving us” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit) | |
| 71 | 1TH | 1 | 10 | pt1s | figs-exclusive | ἡμᾶς | 1 | the one rescuing us | This is an inclusive use of **us**, including Paul, Silvanus, Timothy, and the Thessalonians–and by extension—all Christians. Your language may require you to mark these forms. Alternate translation: “all of us Christians” or “we who trust in Christ” or “all of us believers in Christ” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) |
| 72 | 1TH | 1 | 10 | g3zz | figs-abstractnouns | ἐκ τῆς ὀργῆς τῆς ἐρχομένης | 1 | Here, **wrath** is an abstract noun referring to the destined **coming** God’s future and final Judgment. If it is clearer in your language, you could translate this as a verb form. Alternate translation: “from the future time when God punishes those who do not trust in him” or “when God will certainly punish those who worship idols” or “from God’s impending judgment” (See: [What is the “second coming” of Jesus?](../front/intro.md))(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) | |
| 73 | 1TH | 1 | 10 | cx5g | figs-metaphor | τῆς ὀργῆς τῆς ἐρχομένης | 1 | Paul speaks figuratively of **wrath** as though it were something that could travel and is **coming** to where people are. He means by this that in the future, an event will happen when God will act wrathfully against people who have sinned and who have not trusted in Jesus to forgive their sins. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this plainly. Alternate translation: “God’s judgment that will happen” or “when God will punish people for sin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) | |
| 74 | 1TH | 2 | intro | kt5l | 0 | # 1 Thessalonians 2 General Notes<br><br>## Outline of 1 Thessalonians 2<br><br>1. Apostolic Suffering (2:1-13)<br>* Apostolic preaching (2:1-6)<br>* Apostolic conduct (2:7-9)<br>* Apostolic witness (2:10-3)<br>2. Persecution of the Church (2:14-16)<br>* Thessalonian persecution (2:14a)<br>* Jewish persecution (2:14b-16)<br>3. Paul’s Desire to Visit (2:17-20)<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>The first part of this chapter is a defense of their apostleship and sufferings. They second part is a recounting of the Thessalonian church’s sufferings. Lastly, the Apostle Paul makes known his deep desire to visit the Thessalonian church.<br><br>## “We” and “you”<br><br>In this letter, the words **we** and **our** refer to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, unless otherwise noted. Throughout the letter, **we** and **our** is used to convey that all three apostles are in agreement with the letter.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Apostolic Witness<br><br>Here, Paul defends how he, Silvanus, and Timothy are God’s apostles. By their preaching, conduct and witness, they prove to be authorized messengers of Christ. (See: [[rc://en/tw/bible/kt/apostle.md]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/testimony]])<br><br>### The Gospel of God<br><br>The foundation of the apostolic witness is that they were “entrusted with the gospel” (see [2:4](../02/04.md).The apostles’ authority makes them: “bold to speak” (See [2:2](../02/02.md)), “impart” (See [2:8](../02/08.md)), “preach” (See [2:9](../02/09.md)), and thank God that the Thessalonian church “received the word of God” (See [2:13](../02/13/.md)).<br><br>### The Second Coming of Christ<br><br>In this chapter is the first mention of the Second Coming of Christ in its two facets. First, Paul mentions that the persecutors of Christ’s Church will be judged by using the phrase “wrath has come upon them” in [2:16](../02/16.md). Next, Paul speaks of the “hope” and “joy” and “glory” for those who will “be saved” (See [2:16](../02/16.md)) “in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming” (See [2:19-20](../02/19.md)). | |||
| 75 | 1TH | 2 | 1 | ii5j | grammar-connect-words-phrases | αὐτοὶ γὰρ οἴδατε, ἀδελφοί | 1 | Here, **For you yourselves know, brothers** functions as a chapter transition into the next topic of the apostles’ suffering. You could emphasize this if it would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “Certainly, you are fully aware” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) | |
| 76 | 1TH | 2 | 1 | gpr4 | figs-rpronouns | αὐτοὶ…οἴδατε | 1 | you yourselves know | The words **you** and **yourselves** refer to the Thessalonian church. Paul uses this emphasis to express how well the Thessalonians understand the benefit of the apostles previous visit. Use a way that is natural in your language to indicate this emphasis. Alternate translation: “you fully realize” or “you personally understand” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns]]) |
| 77 | 1TH | 2 | 1 | tdl3 | figs-metaphor | ἀδελφοί | 1 | brothers | Throughout this letter, **brothers** is a metaphor meaning “fellow Christians” or “fellow believers in Christ” (See [1:4](../01/04.md)). If your readers would not understand what **brothers** means in this context, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 78 | 1TH | 2 | 1 | r14z | figs-gendernotations | ἀδελφοί | 1 | brothers | Although the term **brothers** is masculine, Paul is using the word here in a generic sense that includes both males and females. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” or “spiritual brothers and sisters” or “fellow believers in Christ” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) |
| 79 | 1TH | 2 | 1 | nwlt | figs-abstractnouns | τὴν εἴσοδον ἡμῶν τὴν πρὸς ὑμᾶς | 1 | This is an abstract noun phrase that refers to the apostles’ previous visit (See “reception” in [1:9](../01/09.md)). If your language does not use abstract noun phrases for this idea, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun phrase with a verb form. Alternate translation: “when we visited you” or “when you received us” or “when you welcomed us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) | |
| 80 | 1TH | 2 | 1 | g6qq | figs-exclusive | τὴν εἴσοδον ἡμῶν τὴν…ὅτι | 1 | our coming | Here **our** is exclusive, referring to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy–but not the Thessalonian Church (See [1:9](../01/09.md)). Your language may require you to mark this form. Alternate translation: “when we apostles came” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) |
| 81 | 1TH | 2 | 1 | w584 | figs-litotes | οὐ κενὴ γέγονεν | 1 | has not been in vain | Here, **not … in vain** a figure of speech that expresses a strong positive meaning by using a negative word together with a word that is the opposite of the intended meaning. There are two main options to indicate the double negative: (1) express negatively. Alternate translation: “has not been useless” or “has not been without a purpose” or “has not been worthless” (2) express positively. Alternate translation: “has proved quite beneficial” or “has definitely been worthwhile” or “has been very useful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]]) |
| 82 | 1TH | 2 | 2 | h9s8 | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | 0 | This verse provides background information about what happened when Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy were in the city of Philippi (See Acts 16-17:1-10; [1:6](../01/06.md)). Use the natural form in your language for expressing background information. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])<br> | ||
| 83 | 1TH | 2 | 2 | w0qu | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | ἀλλὰ προπαθόντες καὶ ὑβρισθέντες, καθὼς οἴδατε, ἐν Φιλίπποις ἐπαρρησιασάμεθα ἐν τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν | 1 | **But** begins a contrasting clause emphasizing that the coming of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy was **not in vain** [2:1](../02/01.md). The verb translated **we were bold** is an emphatic contrast to the normal response one would expect from suffering. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy are able to respond this way because their boldness comes from God. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a contrast. Alternate translation: “However … God made us confident in how powerful he is” or “Instead … God encouraged us” or (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) | |
| 84 | 1TH | 2 | 2 | clqq | figs-infostructure | ἀλλὰ προπαθόντες καὶ ὑβρισθέντες, καθὼς οἴδατε, ἐν Φιλίπποις | 1 | Here, **just as you know** is meant to emphasize how well the Thessalonian church understands the apostles’ suffering. If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: “But, as you are well aware that we already suffered and were badly insulted at Philippi” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure]]) | |
| 85 | 1TH | 2 | 2 | fac4 | figs-doublet | προπαθόντες καὶ ὑβρισθέντες | 1 | These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize that how badly the apostles suffered. If your language does not use repetition in this way, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “despite the fact that we had earlier suffered violently” or “since we already suffered being shamefully abused” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) | |
| 86 | 1TH | 2 | 2 | daei | figs-possession | τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ Θεοῦ | 1 | This possessive phrase **the gospel of God** expresses how **gospel** relates to **God**. It can refer to three main ideas: (1) possession. Alternate translation: “God’s gospel” (2) source. Alternate translation: “the gospel from God” (3) association. “the gospel about God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) | |
| 87 | 1TH | 2 | 2 | v4dg | figs-abstractnouns | ἐν πολλῷ ἀγῶνι | 1 | in much struggle | Here, **in much struggle** can also refer to a spiritual contest or game. If your language does not use an abstract noun for this idea, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **in much struggle** in another way. Alternate translation: “although we struggled hard” or “despite how much we agonized” or “during the time we contested” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 88 | 1TH | 2 | 3 | hl9c | figs-litany | ἡ γὰρ παράκλησις ἡμῶν οὐκ ἐκ πλάνης, οὐδὲ ἐξ ἀκαθαρσίας, οὐδὲ ἐν δόλῳ | 1 | Paul uses a repetitive series of sentences reasons describing why Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy had boldness to speak. This repetitive style of speaking or writing is called a “litany.” This list of reasons also defends how their message was “the gospel of God” (See [2:2](../02/02.md)). Use a form in your language that someone would use to list things that someone has done right. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litany]]) | |
| 89 | 1TH | 2 | 3 | xg1c | figs-abstractnouns | ἡ γὰρ παράκλησις ἡμῶν οὐκ ἐκ πλάνης, οὐδὲ ἐξ ἀκαθαρσίας, οὐδὲ ἐν δόλῳ | 1 | If your language does not use an abstract nouns for these ideas, you could express the ideas behind **exhortation**, **error**, **impurity**, and **deceit** in another way. Alternate translation: “Certainly, when we appealed to you: we did not try to lead you astray, we did not speak impurely, we did not try to deceive you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) | |
| 90 | 1TH | 2 | 3 | t7ty | figs-doublenegatives | οὐκ ἐκ πλάνης, οὐδὲ ἐξ ἀκαθαρσίας, οὐδὲ ἐν δόλῳ | 1 | was not from error, nor from impurity, nor in deceit | This list of double negative phrases highlights the sincere motive and true content of the **exhortation** Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy shared with the Thessalonian church. If these double negative phrases would be misunderstood in your language, you could translate them as a positive statement. Alternate translation: “was from honest, pure, sincere motives” or “was made properly, purely, and sincerely” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]]) |
| 91 | 1TH | 2 | 4 | is1a | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | ἀλλὰ καθὼς | 1 | we have been approved by God to be entrusted | Here, **but just as** is meant to contrast the negative items in [2:3](../02/03.md), and reinforce that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy are authorized to preach the gospel. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a contrast. Alternate translation: “it is actually true that” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) |
| 92 | 1TH | 2 | 4 | lfv7 | grammar-connect-logic-result | ἀλλὰ καθὼς δεδοκιμάσμεθα ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ, πιστευθῆναι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον | 1 | Here, **to be entrusted** expresses the result of **been examined**. If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: “certainly, God trusts us to proclaim the gospel because he tested and approved us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) | |
| 93 | 1TH | 2 | 4 | ue4y | figs-explicit | δεδοκιμάσμεθα ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ, πιστευθῆναι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον | 1 | The combination of these two verbs **examined** and **entrusted** are meant to emphasize how the apostles are authorized to preach the gospel. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “God has verified that we can be trusted to proclaim his good news” or “we have passed God’s test as faithful preachers of the gospel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) | |
| 94 | 1TH | 2 | 4 | m8sq | grammar-connect-logic-result | οὕτως λαλοῦμεν | 1 | Here, **so we speak** expresses the result of **been examined**. The reason why the apostles have confidence and authority to **speak** the gospel is because God tested and approved them. This could refer to: (1) reason for speaking. Alternate translation: “this is why we keep talking about it” (2) manner of speaking. Alternate translation: “so this is how we speak” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) | |
| 95 | 1TH | 2 | 4 | qqj2 | figs-explicit | λαλοῦμεν | 1 | we speak | Paul is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “we apostles keep speaking the gospel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])<br> |
| 96 | 1TH | 2 | 4 | b0yy | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | οὐχ ὡς ἀνθρώποις ἀρέσκοντες, ἀλλὰ Θεῷ | 1 | Here, the word **but** contrasts **men** and **God**. Paul is indicating that **God** and **men** are different people. Paul is also expressing the idea that the apostles’ motive for speaking the **gospel** is to please **God**, **not … men**. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a contrast. Alternate translation: “not to flatter people, but please God” or “to satisfy God, not people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])<br> | |
| 97 | 1TH | 2 | 4 | bq9a | figs-metonymy | τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν | 1 | The phrase **our hearts** is a metonym for the apostles’ motives, affections, or deepest thoughts. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “what we love” or “what we ponder” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) | |
| 98 | 1TH | 2 | 5 | xk2o | grammar-connect-words-phrases | οὔτε γάρ ποτε ἐν λόγῳ κολακίας ἐγενήθημεν | 1 | Here, the phrase **For we did not come at that time** marks a transition where the apostles defend their motives by describing their previous godly conduct. Alternate translation: “Because previously when we came, it was not to flatter you” or “Certainly we never came in order to flatter you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) | |
| 99 | 1TH | 2 | 5 | u28j | figs-litany | οὔτε…ἐν λόγῳ κολακίας…οὔτε ἐν προφάσει πλεονεξίας | 1 | Here, Paul uses a series of negative examples in [2:5-6](../02/05/md) to describe behavior that is not fitting for Christ’s apostles. This repetitive style of speaking or writing is called a “litany.” You can use a form in your language to list things that someone should not do. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litany]]) | |
| 100 | 1TH | 2 | 5 | hqih | figs-infostructure | οὔτε γάρ ποτε ἐν λόγῳ κολακίας ἐγενήθημεν, | 1 | Paul places **just as you know** in a position that gives it special emphasis (See also [2:2](../02/02..md)). If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: “As you are well aware, we did not previously come to flatter” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure]]) | |
| 101 | 1TH | 2 | 5 | q2yh | figs-metaphor | ἐν προφάσει πλεονεξίας | 1 | Here, **pretext** figuratively expresses the idea of people with greedy motives by comparing them to people wearing a mask or a disguise to cover up their evil intent. If the concept of a masking or disguising would not communicate a covering of true motives, you could you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternate translation: “disguising greedy intent” or “trying to hide greed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) | |
| 102 | 1TH | 2 | 5 | qqia | figs-ellipsis | (Θεὸς μάρτυς) | 1 | In the phrase **God {is} witness**, Paul is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “God is our witness!”(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) | |
| 103 | 1TH | 2 | 5 | lfym | figs-metaphor | (Θεὸς μάρτυς) | 1 | The apostles are appealing to God to validate their gospel message and personal motives. They figuratively speak as if they are summoning God as a witness to testify on their behalf before a judge. If your readers would not understand what **God {is} witness** means in this context, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternate translation: “We swear to/by God!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) | |
| 104 | 1TH | 2 | 6 | j6c4 | figs-synecdoche | οὔτε ζητοῦντες ἐξ ἀνθρώπων δόξαν, οὔτε ἀφ’ ὑμῶν, οὔτε ἀπ’ ἄλλων | 1 | Here, Paul refers figuratively to **men** to speak of any individual person. He also refers to **from you or from others** as another way of saying “all people.” If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or plain language. Alternate translation: “We were not looking for praise from any human being–not you or anyone else–” or “We were not hoping for any human honors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) | |
| 105 | 1TH | 2 | 6 | afcc | figs-abstractnouns | ἐξ ἀνθρώπων δόξαν | 1 | If your language does not use an abstract noun for this idea, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **glory** in another way. Alternate translation: “for humans to honor us” or “to have people praise us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) | |
| 106 | 1TH | 2 | 7 | u7y2 | figs-hypo | δυνάμενοι ἐν βάρει εἶναι, ὡς Χριστοῦ ἀπόστολοι | 1 | With the phrase **being able to be a burden**, Paul uses a hypothetical condition to draw attention to the divine authority of the **apostles of Christ**. Use the natural form in your language for expressing a hypothetical situation. This phrase could refer to: (1) authority of the apostles. “as Christ’s apostles we have authority to force obedience” (2) rights of the apostles. Alternate translation: “as Christ’s apostles, we could have burdened you by demanding financial support” (3) authority and rights of the apostles. Alternate translation: “as Christ’s apostles, we have the power to demand support and submission” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]]) | |
| 107 | 1TH | 2 | 7 | a75z | figs-metaphor | δυνάμενοι ἐν βάρει εἶναι | 1 | Paul speaks figuratively of the apostles as if they were a heavy weight or pack. He means that if they wanted to, they could impose their apostolic authority in a way that could seem oppressive to the Thessalonian church. If your readers would not understand what **burden** means in this context, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express Paul’s meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternative translation, “Although we could impose our authority” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) | |
| 108 | 1TH | 2 | 7 | bslq | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | ἀλλὰ | 1 | Here, **but** signals that the rest of the verse will contrast the idea of **burden**. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a contrast. Alternate translation: “However” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) | |
| 109 | 1TH | 2 | 7 | y3bi | figs-metaphor | ἐγενήθημεν νήπιοι ἐν μέσῳ ὑμῶν | 1 | Here, **became little children in the midst of you** is a metaphor indicating how gently the apostles treated the Thessalonian Church. You could translate this with an active form, using a simile. Alternate translation: “we acted as mild as infants when we visited you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) | |
| 110 | 1TH | 2 | 7 | bnp2 | figs-idiom | ἐν μέσῳ ὑμῶν | 1 | Paul uses the idiom **in the midst of you** that means “spending time” or “visiting”. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “while visiting you” or “while spending time with you” or “when we were with you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) | |
| 111 | 1TH | 2 | 7 | ag1l | figs-simile | ὡς ἐὰν τροφὸς θάλπῃ τὰ ἑαυτῆς τέκνα | 1 | as if a mother might comfort her own children | The point of this comparison is that in the same way a **mother** would gently **comfort** her **children**, so the apostles gently and affectionately nurtured the Thessalonian Church (See [2:8](../02/08.md)). If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent comparison or express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “we affectionately cared for you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) |
| 112 | 1TH | 2 | 8 | r8b4 | figs-abstractnouns | οὕτως ὁμειρόμενοι ὑμῶν | 1 | Having affection for you in this manner | If your language does not use an abstract noun phrase for this idea, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun phrase **having affection** in another way. Alternate translation: “Because we desire you so much” or “Since we yearn for you like this” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 113 | 1TH | 2 | 8 | q86v | figs-metaphor | τὰς ἑαυτῶν ψυχάς | 1 | we were pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls | Paul uses **our own souls** to speak figuratively of the apostles’ bodies or their life. Alternatively, you could express Paul’s meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “our own selves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 114 | 1TH | 2 | 9 | v837 | grammar-connect-words-phrases | γάρ | 1 | Here, the connecting word **For** emphasizes that what follows is something else important that the Thessalonian church should pay attention to. Alternate translation: “Certainly” or “Indeed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) | |
| 115 | 1TH | 2 | 9 | exw6 | figs-gendernotations | ἀδελφοί | 1 | Although the term **brothers** is masculine, Paul is using the word here in a generic sense that includes both males and females. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” or “spiritual brothers and sisters” or “fellow believers in Christ” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) | |
| 116 | 1TH | 2 | 9 | tc98 | figs-doublet | τὸν κόπον ἡμῶν καὶ τὸν μόχθον | 1 | our labor and toil | Here, **labor** and **toil** mean basically the same thing. The repetition emphasizes how hard the apostles worked. If your language does not use repetition in this way, you could combine these phrases or make them active. Alternate translation: “our toilsome labor” or “how hard we worked” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 117 | 1TH | 2 | 9 | ilj2 | figs-distinguish | νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας ἐργαζόμενοι | 1 | This phrase further explains **our labor and toil**. If this is not understood in your language, you can make the relationship between these phrases more clear. Alternate translation: “although working night and day” or “despite the fact that we kept working night and day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]]) | |
| 118 | 1TH | 2 | 9 | ylkl | figs-idiom | νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας | 1 | Here, **night and day working** is an idiom for excessive labor. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “we stayed busy working” or “we never stopped working” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) | |
| 119 | 1TH | 2 | 9 | kedf | figs-idiom | πρὸς τὸ μὴ ἐπιβαρῆσαί τινα ὑμῶν | 1 | Paul speaks figuratively of the apostles as if they were a heavy weight or pack (See note at [2:7](../02/07.md)). Alternative translation, “so that none of you would have to financially support us” or “so that we would not impose on anyone” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) | |
| 120 | 1TH | 2 | 9 | tw00 | grammar-connect-logic-goal | πρὸς τὸ μὴ | 1 | This introduces a purpose clause. Paul is stating the purpose for why the apostles worked so much. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: See the UST (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]]) | |
| 121 | 1TH | 2 | 9 | ezqn | figs-possession | τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ Θεοῦ | 1 | Again, the phrase **the gospel of God** is used to indicate that the apostles’ message is of Divine origin (See your translation at [2:2](../02/02.md)). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) | |
| 122 | 1TH | 2 | 10 | re18 | figs-metaphor | ὑμεῖς μάρτυρες καὶ ὁ Θεός | 1 | The apostles are appealing to the Thessalonian church and God to validate their gospel message and personal motives (See also [2:5](../02/05.md)). They figuratively speak as if they are summoning both the church and God as a witness to testify on their behalf before a judge. If your readers would not understand what this phrase means in this context, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternate translation: “You are our witnesses, as well as God himself” or “As well as God, you can personally testified” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) | |
| 123 | 1TH | 2 | 10 | h52a | figs-ellipsis | ὑμεῖς μάρτυρες καὶ ὁ Θεός | 1 | In this phrase, Paul is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “As well as God, you can personally testified” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) | |
| 124 | 1TH | 2 | 10 | il3e | figs-litany | ὡς ὁσίως, καὶ δικαίως, καὶ ἀμέμπτως, ὑμῖν τοῖς πιστεύουσιν ἐγενήθημεν | 1 | holy, and righteous, and blameless | Paul uses a repetitive series of proofs of the apostles’ godly behavior in [2:10-12](../02/10.md). This repetitive style of speaking or writing is called a “litany.” This is a list of the evidence for which the Thessalonian Church and God are evoked as witnesses. Use a form in your language that someone would use to list things that someone has done right. Alternate translation: “just how faithful, and just, and innocent we conducted ourselves toward you believers in God” or “how we acted reverently, and fairly, and blamelessly while visiting the faithful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litany]]) |
| 125 | 1TH | 2 | 10 | ufdv | figs-yousingular | ὑμεῖς…ὑμῖν | 1 | holy, and righteous, and blameless | The pronouns **You** and **you** are plural and refer to all the believers in God at Thessalonica. Your language may require you to mark this form. Alternate translation: “You all … among all of you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular]])<br> |
| 126 | 1TH | 2 | 11 | oug6 | καθάπερ οἴδατε ὡς ἕνα ἕκαστον ὑμῶν | 1 | Again, Paul places **just as you know** in a position that gives it special emphasis (See also [2:2,5](../02/02..md)). It is another way of saying “you {are} witnesses” (See [2:10](../02/10.md). Paul is appealing to the Thessalonian church’s own experience of the apostles’ godly behavior, to prove their gospel message comes from God (See [2:9](../02/09.md)). Use a natural way in your language to express this emphasis. Alternate translation: “just as you each and every one of you are well aware” or “just as each one of you experienced for yourself” | ||
| 127 | 1TH | 2 | 11 | i58m | figs-simile | ὡς πατὴρ τέκνα ἑαυτοῦ | 1 | as a father his own children | The point of Paul’s comparison is that the apostles are like fathers who model and instruct in proper behavior for their children. They see themselves as spiritual fathers to the Thessalonian Church, so they nurture them in the Christian faith like a father would care for the overall well-being of his own children. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent comparison or express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “like a father nurtures his own children” or “just as a father cares for his own children” or “like a father trains his own children” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) |
| 128 | 1TH | 2 | 12 | m91e | figs-litany | παρακαλοῦντες ὑμᾶς, καὶ παραμυθούμενοι, καὶ μαρτυρόμενοι…ὑμᾶς | 1 | exhorting you and encouraging and testifying for you | Paul uses a repetitive series of verb forms to show how the apostles have instructed the Thessalonian church like caring fathers would. This repetitive style of speaking or writing is called a “litany.” These words are meant to instill a sense of urgency. Use a form in your language that someone would use to inspire people to live godly. Alternate translation: “encouraging and cheering you up and acting as your witness” or “We kept instructing you through appeals, encouragement, and our own personal example” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litany]]) |
| 129 | 1TH | 2 | 12 | clhg | παρακαλοῦντες…μαρτυρόμενοι | 1 | These verbal forms also describe the apostles’ fatherly behavior toward the Thessalonian Church. These forms can be expressed in a number of ways: (1) result. Alternate translation: “with the result that we kept exhorting … testifying” (2) means. Alternate translation: “by exhorting … testifying” (3) manner. Alternate translation: “how we kept exhorting … testifying” | ||
| 130 | 1TH | 2 | 12 | afop | grammar-connect-logic-goal | εἰς τὸ περιπατεῖν ὑμᾶς ἀξίως τοῦ Θεοῦ | 1 | This phrase is a purpose clause. Paul is stating the purpose for the apostles’ appeals. He wants the Thessalonian church to live **worthily of God**. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: “that you must honor God by how you live” or “so that you would live how God desires” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]]) | |
| 131 | 1TH | 2 | 12 | go6b | figs-possession | εἰς τὸ περιπατεῖν ὑμᾶς ἀξίως τοῦ Θεοῦ | 1 | Paul use of the possessive phrase **of God** could refer to: (1) God giving honor. Alternate translation: “to live in a way that God considers worthy” or “to live in a way that God honors” (2) God’s people as recipients of honor. “to live in a way that shows you are worthy of being God’s people” (3) God as recipient of honor. Alternate translation: “to live in a way that honors God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) | |
| 132 | 1TH | 2 | 12 | udek | figs-metaphor | εἰς τὸ περιπατεῖν | 1 | Here, **to walk** is a metaphor that means “to live.” If your readers would not understand what it means **to walk** in this context, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express Paul’s meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “to habitually live” or “for you to continue to live” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) | |
| 133 | 1TH | 2 | 12 | v9ph | figs-distinguish | τοῦ καλοῦντος ὑμᾶς | 1 | This phrase gives us further information about God, and describes what he is doing through the apostles’ teachings. If this is not understood in your language, you can make the relationship between these phrases clearer. Alternate translation: “he is the one who continues to summon you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]]) | |
| 134 | 1TH | 2 | 12 | b0by | figs-parallelism | τοῦ καλοῦντος ὑμᾶς | 1 | Here, **who is calling you** is a parallelism that equates the apostles’ **exhorting**, **encouraging**, and **testifying** with God’s **calling**. See also [2:13](../02/13.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) | |
| 135 | 1TH | 2 | 12 | vbd2 | figs-hendiadys | εἰς τὴν ἑαυτοῦ βασιλείαν καὶ δόξαν | 1 | This phrase **into his own kingdom and glory** expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **glory** describes what the **kingdom** is like. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use **and**. Alternate translation: “into his own glorious kingdom” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]]) | |
| 136 | 1TH | 2 | 13 | au3b | grammar-connect-logic-result | καὶ διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ἡμεῖς εὐχαριστοῦμεν τῷ Θεῷ ἀδιαλείπτως | 1 | General Information: | This phrase **And because of this** indicates that what follows are the reasons why the apostles are thankful for the Thessalonian Church. If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases to make this explicit. See UST. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 137 | 1TH | 2 | 13 | zja7 | figs-hyperbole | καὶ ἡμεῖς εὐχαριστοῦμεν τῷ Θεῷ ἀδιαλείπτως | 1 | This phrase uses exaggeration to emphasize the apostles’ gratitude (See also [1:2](../01/02.md)). Here, **constantly** does not mean “every moment.” If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language that shows intense gratitude. Alternate translation: “We ourselves habitually thank” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) | |
| 138 | 1TH | 2 | 13 | ruy0 | ἡμεῖς | 1 | Here, Paul uses the word **we** to emphasize how thankful the apostles are. Use a way that is natural in your language to indicate this emphasis. Alternate translation: “we personally” or “we ourselves” | ||
| 139 | 1TH | 2 | 13 | ei3j | figs-distinguish | ὅτι παραλαβόντες λόγον ἀκοῆς παρ’ ἡμῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐδέξασθε | 1 | General Information: | This clause explains why the apostles are thankful. If this is not understood in your language, you can make the relationship between these phrases more clear. See UST (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]]) |
| 140 | 1TH | 2 | 13 | i39s | figs-events | ὅτι παραλαβόντες λόγον ἀκοῆς παρ’ ἡμῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐδέξασθε | 1 | General Information: | Paul is stressing that it is **the word of God** that the apostles reported. This is why he first mentions that the Thessalonians **received the word of God**, before mentioning that they **heard** it. If this is confusing in your language, you could make the order of events clear. Alternate translation: “that when we told you God’s message, you heard it, and then accepted it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]]) |
| 141 | 1TH | 2 | 13 | dr6q | figs-litany | ὅτι | 1 | Here, **that** marks a repetitive series of reasons in [2:13-14](../02/14.md) that explain why the apostles are thankful for the Thessalonian church. This repetitive style of speaking or writing is called a “litany.” Use a form in your language that someone would use to list things that someone has done right. See UST. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litany]]) | |
| 142 | 1TH | 2 | 13 | zj5f | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | ἀλλὰ καθὼς ἀληθῶς ἐστὶν | 1 | not as the word of man | Paul uses this contrasting clause to strongly negate the idea that the apostles’ message is of human origin. Use a natural way in your language for introducing an emphatic contrast. Alternate translation: “but in fact what it really is” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) |
| 143 | 1TH | 2 | 13 | f6ta | figs-metonymy | λόγον ἀνθρώπων…λόγον Θεοῦ | 1 | Paul uses the phrase **the word** figuratively to represent a message that is made up of words. Here, **the word of man** refers to a message of human origin. In contrast, **the word of God** refers to the same message called “the gospel of God” in [2:8-9](../02/08.md). If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “a human message … God’s message” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) | |
| 144 | 1TH | 2 | 13 | ci1e | figs-personification | ὃς καὶ ἐνεργεῖται ἐν ὑμῖν τοῖς πιστεύουσιν | 1 | which is also working in you who believe | The apostles refer to God’s gospel message figuratively as if it were a person or tool doing work. If this might be confusing for your readers, you could express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “and God is energizing you faithful ones with this message” or “and God is activating this message among you who trust in him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) |
| 145 | 1TH | 2 | 13 | z89g | writing-pronouns | ὃς | 1 | which is also working in you who believe | Here, the pronoun **which** could refer to **God** or **the word**. Alternate translation: “and God” or “and God’s word” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]]) |
| 146 | 1TH | 2 | 13 | x7oi | figs-yousingular | ἐν ὑμῖν | 1 | Here, the pronoun **you** is plural and refers to all the believers in God at Thessalonica (See [2:10](../02/10.md)). Your language may require you to mark this form. Alternate translation: “among all of you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular]]) | |
| 147 | 1TH | 2 | 14 | mh8n | writing-background | 0 | became imitators of the churches | Verses 14-16 provide background information about how the Thessalonian Church suffered persecutions similar to the Judean Church. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) | |
| 148 | 1TH | 2 | 14 | xopt | grammar-connect-words-phrases | γὰρ | 1 | **For** indicates that what follows is the proof of how God’s message is working among the Thessalonian Church. Alternate translation: “Because” or “In fact” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) | |
| 149 | 1TH | 2 | 14 | cj05 | figs-gendernotations | ἀδελφοί | 1 | brothers | Although the term **brothers** is masculine, Paul is using the word here in a generic sense that includes both males and females. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” or “spiritual brothers and sisters” or “fellow believers in Christ” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) |
| 150 | 1TH | 2 | 14 | ij9j | μιμηταὶ ἐγενήθητε…τῶν ἐκκλησιῶν | 1 | Here, **imitators** is a noun that can be translated with a verb (See [1:6](../01/06.md)). Use a natural way in your language to express this idea. Alternate translation: “mimicked the churches” or “imitated the churches” or “copied the behavior of the churches” | ||
| 151 | 1TH | 2 | 14 | g0t5 | figs-metaphor | ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ | 1 | Here, Paul speaks figuratively **of the churches of God … in Christ Jesus** as though they were occupying space inside **Jesus**. This metaphor expresses the idea that believers are spiritually united to **God** and **Jesus** (See also [1:1](../01/01.md). Here, it also highlights the communion that Thessalonian believers **in Christ Jesus** have with Judean believers **in Christ Jesus** through the Holy Trinity. If this might be misunderstood in your language, you can express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternative translation, “who are united to Jesus Christ” or “who share life with Jesus Christ” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) | |
| 152 | 1TH | 2 | 15 | a6xd | writing-background | τῶν καὶ τὸν Κύριον ἀποκτεινάντων Ἰησοῦν, καὶ τοὺς προφήτας, καὶ ἡμᾶς ἐκδιωξάντων | 1 | This is the specific content of the background information about the Jewish persecution of Christians. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) | |
| 153 | 1TH | 2 | 15 | pgzz | figs-merism | τῶν καὶ τὸν Κύριον ἀποκτεινάντων Ἰησοῦν, καὶ τοὺς προφήτας, καὶ ἡμᾶς ἐκδιωξάντων | 1 | The whole history of the persecution of God’s people is summarized in three parts: the killing of Old Testament prophets, the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus, and persecution of the apostles. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or plain language. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) | |
| 154 | 1TH | 2 | 15 | ucaz | figs-events | τῶν καὶ τὸν Κύριον ἀποκτεινάντων Ἰησοῦν, καὶ τοὺς προφήτας, καὶ ἡμᾶς ἐκδιωξάντων | 1 | This list of those persecuted by the Jews is not chronological, but emphasizes the order of importance and intensity of persecution. If this is confusing in your language, you could make the order of events clear. Alternate translation: “who have killed the prophets, then the Lord Jesus, and finally persecuted us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]]) | |
| 155 | 1TH | 2 | 15 | ihh7 | grammar-connect-logic-result | ἡμᾶς ἐκδιωξάντων; καὶ Θεῷ μὴ ἀρεσκόντων, καὶ πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις ἐναντίων | 1 | Here, **and** indicates that the following phrase is the result of Jews’ persecution. If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes.To emphasize God’s response toward the Jews’ persecution, you could begin a new sentence with God as the subject. Alternate translation: “have persecuted us and are enemies of all people. This is why God is continually displeased” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) | |
| 156 | 1TH | 2 | 15 | tfc4 | figs-parallelism | καὶ Θεῷ μὴ ἀρεσκόντων, καὶ πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις ἐναντίων, | 1 | These two phrases mean similar things. These phrases are meant to express how the Jewish persecution of Christians is the same thing as opposing God himself. If it would be clearer in your language, you can combine the phrases into one clarifying idea. Alternate translation: “and they make themselves enemies of God by how hostile they are against the Jewish and Gentile churches” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) | |
| 157 | 1TH | 2 | 15 | g6q1 | figs-possession | πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις ἐναντίων, | 1 | Paul is using the possessive form of **hostile** to describe how the persecutors of the Christian Church are characterized by a hostile attitude. Alternate translation: “characterized by being opposed to all people types” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) | |
| 158 | 1TH | 2 | 15 | dmxm | figs-ellipsis | ἐναντίων | 1 | Paul leaves out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “are opposed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) | |
| 159 | 1TH | 2 | 15 | pg9u | figs-synecdoche | πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις | 1 | Paul refers figuratively to **all men** to mean “all people types” or “the whole human race.” Here, **all men** refers to two parts of humanity represented by Jews and Gentiles. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or plain language. Alternate translation: “to all people types” or “to all the nations” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) | |
| 160 | 1TH | 2 | 16 | r5fi | grammar-connect-logic-goal | ἵνα σωθῶσιν | 1 | This purpose clause gives the reason why the Jews are trying to prevent the apostles from preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. Here, **to speak** expresses the way the Gentiles **might be saved.** This clause could refer to: (1) the Jews purposely trying to keep the Gentiles from salvation. Alternate translation: “to hinder the Gentiles from being saved” (2) how the speaking is for the purpose of saving the Gentiles. Alternate translation: “in order that the Gentiles can be saved” or “for the purpose of saving the nations” The clause could also refer to both ideas. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]]) | |
| 161 | 1TH | 2 | 16 | n2ue | figs-metaphor | εἰς τὸ ἀναπληρῶσαι αὐτῶν τὰς ἁμαρτίας πάντοτε | 1 | to always fill up their own sins | Paul speaks figuratively of the Jews’ sins as if they fill a container. He means that these Jews sin so much and so extremely that they can never escape God’s **wrath**. If your readers would not understand what it means to **to always fill up** in this context, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternate translation: “causing them to always reach the limit of their sinfulness” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 162 | 1TH | 2 | 16 | z5fr | grammar-connect-logic-result | εἰς τὸ ἀναπληρῶσαι | 1 | This result clause explains what will happen to the Jews for **forbidding** the apostles **to speak to the Gentiles**. Use a natural way in your language to indicate result. Alternate translation: “as a result, God will no longer forgive their many sins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) | |
| 163 | 1TH | 2 | 16 | jzjj | figs-pastforfuture | ἔφθασεν δὲ ἐπ’ αὐτοὺς ἡ ὀργὴ εἰς τέλος. | 1 | Paul is figuratively using the past tense in order to refer to something that will happen in the future. Paul is doing this to show that the event will certainly happen. If the use of the past tense here is confusing in your language, you could use the future tense. This phrase could refer to: (1) final judgment. Alternate translation: “In fact, final wrath will overtake them” (See also [5:9](../05/09.md) (2) certain judgment. Alternate translation: “Certainly, their punishment has finally arrived” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture]]) | |
| 164 | 1TH | 2 | 16 | fq9m | grammar-connect-words-phrases | δὲ | 1 | wrath has come upon them in the end | Paul uses **But** to indicate that what follows is important. Here, **But** could refer to: (1) certainty. Alternate translation: “Certainly” or “In fact” (2) contrast. Alternate translation: “However” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 165 | 1TH | 2 | 16 | uwuq | figs-abstractnouns | ἔφθασεν δὲ ἐπ’ αὐτοὺς ἡ ὀργὴ | 1 | wrath has come upon them in the end | If your language does not use an abstract noun for this idea, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **the wrath** in another way. Alternate translation: See UST. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 166 | 1TH | 2 | 17 | edb1 | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | ἡμεῖς δέ, ἀδελφοί | 1 | brothers | The phrase **But we, brothers** expresses that this is a contrasting phrase that switches the attention back to the apostles’ relationship with the Thessalonian church. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a contrast. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) |
| 167 | 1TH | 2 | 17 | m5sf | figs-gendernotations | ἀδελφοί | 1 | Although the term **brothers** is masculine, Paul is using the word here in a generic sense that includes both males and females. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” or “spiritual brothers and sisters” or “fellow believers in Christ” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) | |
| 168 | 1TH | 2 | 17 | yhhy | figs-explicit | ἀπορφανισθέντες ἀφ’ ὑμῶν | 1 | Since the Greek word that ULT translates as **having been separated from you** can also mean “having been orphaned from you,” Paul may be revisiting the idea where the apostles affectionately compare themselves to “little children” in [2:7](../02/07.md). If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “since we have been apart from you we feel like orphans” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) | |
| 169 | 1TH | 2 | 17 | lmpu | figs-idiom | πρὸς καιρὸν ὥρας | 1 | Here, **for the time of an hour** is an idiom that indicates a short time span. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “for short time” or “for a little while” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) | |
| 170 | 1TH | 2 | 17 | vr7v | figs-metonymy | προσώπῳ οὐ καρδίᾳ | 1 | by face, not in heart | Here, **heart** represents the apostles’ concerns, feelings, and affections. Here, **face** represents the “person” or “physical presence”. Though the apostles were not physically present in Thessalonica, they continued to care about and show concern for their relationship with the church there. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “by distance, not in feeling” or “in person, not in affection” or “in presence, not in concern” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 171 | 1TH | 2 | 17 | yxzu | figs-parallelism | τὸ πρόσωπον ὑμῶν ἰδεῖν ἐν πολλῇ ἐπιθυμίᾳ | 1 | to see your faces | Here, **to see your faces, in much desire** means the same thing as **by face, not in heart**. Paul says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to show that how much the apostles desire to visit the Thessalonian church. Use a natural way in your language to express this idea. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 172 | 1TH | 2 | 17 | jgi2 | figs-abstractnouns | τὸ πρόσωπον ὑμῶν ἰδεῖν ἐν πολλῇ ἐπιθυμίᾳ. | 1 | to see your faces | If your language does not use an abstract noun for this idea, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **desire** in another way. It can also be translated as an active phrase. Alternate translation: “deeply desiring to see you in person” or “passionately longing to see your faces” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 173 | 1TH | 2 | 17 | ot1s | figs-idiom | τὸ πρόσωπον ὑμῶν ἰδεῖν | 1 | to see your faces | The phrase **to see your faces** is an idiom meaning **to visit**. Here, it expresses the apostles’ strong desire to personally visit and share spiritual intimacy with the Thessalonian church. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “to visit you” or “to spend quality time with you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 174 | 1TH | 2 | 18 | zlny | grammar-connect-words-phrases | διότι | 1 | to see your faces | Here, **For** indicates that what follows is background information for why Paul had not yet visited. Alternate translation: “Indeed” or “Certainly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 175 | 1TH | 2 | 18 | pnw3 | figs-go | ἐλθεῖν | 1 | to see your faces | Your language may say “go” rather than **come** in contexts such as this. Use whichever is more natural. Alternate translation: “to go” or “to travel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-go]]) |
| 176 | 1TH | 2 | 18 | n0jl | figs-ellipsis | ἐγὼ μὲν Παῦλος, καὶ ἅπαξ καὶ δίς | 1 | to see your faces | In this phrase, Paul is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “I Paul personally tried to come twice” or “Indeed, I, Paul tried to go two times” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) |
| 177 | 1TH | 2 | 18 | uqg6 | figs-rpronouns | ἐγὼ μὲν Παῦλος | 1 | to see your faces | Here, Paul uses the pronoun **I** and **indeed** to emphasize that he personally tried to visit the Thessalonian church. Use a way that is natural in your language to indicate this emphasis. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns]]) |
| 178 | 1TH | 2 | 18 | yj0w | figs-idiom | καὶ ἅπαξ καὶ δίς | 1 | to see your faces | Here, the phrase **both once and twice** means repeatedly. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “twice” or “many times” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 179 | 1TH | 2 | 18 | crv7 | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | καὶ | 1 | to see your faces | What follows the word **but** here is in contrast to what was expected, that Paul would visit the Thessalonian Church. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a contrast. Alternate translation: “but Satan stopped us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) |
| 180 | 1TH | 2 | 18 | uuae | figs-explicit | καὶ ἐνέκοψεν | 1 | to see your faces | Since the Greek word that ULT translates as **hindered** often means “cut off” or “beat in,” Paul may be stressing the violent nature of Satan’s obstruction. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “powerfully prevented us” or “violently obstructed us” or “cut off our route” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 181 | 1TH | 2 | 19 | j7j5 | figs-rquestion | 0 | For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of boasting? Is it not even you before our Lord Jesus at his coming? | Paul uses these rhetorical questions here to emphasize why the apostles want to visit the Thessalonian church. If you would not use rhetorical questions for this purpose in your language, you could translate his words as a statement or an exclamation and communicate the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: See UST (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]]) | |
| 182 | 1TH | 2 | 19 | mj9n | figs-personification | ἐλπὶς ἢ χαρὰ ἢ στέφανος καυχήσεως | 1 | our hope … Is it not even you | Here, **hope** **joy** and **crown** are spoken of figuratively as if they were the people in the Thessalonian church. If this might be confusing for your readers, you could express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “Because who makes us hopeful? Who causes us to rejoice? Who gives us reason to boast victoriously?” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) |
| 183 | 1TH | 2 | 19 | ulj7 | figs-ellipsis | τίς γὰρ ἡμῶν ἐλπὶς ἢ χαρὰ ἢ στέφανος καυχήσεως? ἢ οὐχὶ καὶ | 1 | our hope … Is it not even you | Paul is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “Indeed, what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting? Or is it not it you too” |
| 184 | 1TH | 2 | 19 | jfak | figs-personification | ἐλπὶς ἢ χαρὰ ἢ στέφανος καυχήσεως | 1 | our hope … Is it not even you | Here, **hope**, **joy**, and **crown of boasting** are spoken of figuratively as if these concepts are the Thessalonian church. If this might be confusing for your readers, you could express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “Because who makes us hopeful? Who causes us to rejoice? Who gives us reason to boast victoriously?”(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) |
| 185 | 1TH | 2 | 19 | e7tl | figs-metonymy | στέφανος καυχήσεως | 1 | crown of boasting | Here, **crown** refers figuratively to a laurel wreath awarded to victorious athletes. The expression **crown of boasting** means a reward for victory, or having competed well. The proof the apostles’ success will ultimately be displayed at the Second Coming of Christ, if the Thessalonian Church remains faithful to God (See [4:13-5:11](../04/13/.md)). If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “reward for victory” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 186 | 1TH | 2 | 19 | uvb4 | figs-possession | στέφανος καυχήσεως | 1 | crown of boasting | Paul is using this possessive form to describe either: (1) product of boasting. Alternate translation: “crown that produces boasting” (2) means of boasting. Alternate translation: “crown through which we boast” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) |
| 187 | 1TH | 2 | 19 | h7gh | figs-metonymy | ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦ | 1 | crown of boasting | Here, **before** refers to location or sphere, used as a substitute for “in front of” or “in the presence of.” If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “in the presence of our Lord Jesus” or “in front of our Lord Jesus” or “in the sight of our Lord Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 188 | 1TH | 2 | 19 | mksc | figs-idiom | ἐν τῇ αὐτοῦ παρουσίᾳ | 1 | crown of boasting | Here, **his coming** is a well-known idiom in 1-2 Thessalonians for the Second Coming of Christ (See [3:13](../03/13.md)) or the “Day of the Lord” (See [5:2](../05/02.md)). If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “at his Second Coming” or “when he arrives again” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 189 | 1TH | 2 | 20 | l3m0 | figs-parallelism | ὑμεῖς γάρ ἐστε ἡ δόξα ἡμῶν, καὶ ἡ χαρά | 1 | crown of boasting | This verse means the same thing as “our hope or joy or crown of boasting” in [2:19](../02/19.md). Paul says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to emphasize that he is genuinely pleased with the Thessalonian church. Use a natural way in your language to express this emphasis. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 190 | 1TH | 2 | 20 | d8dz | figs-rpronouns | ὑμεῖς | 1 | crown of boasting | Paul uses the word **you** to emphasize how the Thessalonian church’s faithfulness to God brings honor and joy to the apostles. Use a way that is natural in your language to indicate this emphasis. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns]]) |
| 191 | 1TH | 2 | 20 | nlbd | figs-personification | ὑμεῖς γάρ ἐστε ἡ δόξα ἡμῶν, καὶ ἡ χαρά | 1 | crown of boasting | Here, the Thessalonian church is figuratively compared to the abstract concepts of **glory and joy**. If this might be confusing for your readers, you could express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “Because of you, God will honor us and make us rejoice” or “Certainly, we will become glorified and rejoice because of you!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) |
| 192 | 1TH | 3 | intro | j379 | 0 | # 1 Thessalonians 3 General Notes<br><br>## Outline of 1 Thessalonians 3<br><br>1. Timothy’s Visit (3:1-5)<br>* Apostolic concern (3:1-2)<br>* Apostolic encouragement (3:3-5)<br>2. Timothy’s Report (3:6-13)<br>* Good news (3:6-10)<br>* Apostolic prayer (3:11-13)<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>The first part of this chapter recounts Timothy’s visit to Thessalonica. The second part tells about his report to Paul and Silvanus at Athens. Lastly, the apostles offer a prayer on behalf of the Thessalonian Church.<br><br>## “We” and “you”<br><br>In this letter, the words **we** and **our** refer to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, unless otherwise noted. Throughout the letter, **we** and **our** is used to convey that all three apostles are in agreement with the letter.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Metaphor<br><br>In this chapter, the Apostle Paul uses the phrase “stand firm” in [3:8](../03/08.md) as a metaphor of faithfulness to the Gospel, and “be shaken” in [3:3](../03/03.md)) as the opposite of being faithful. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/faithful]])<br><br>Use a building metaphor, the apostles pray that God will “strengthen the “hearts” of the Thessalonian Church “blameless” (See [3:13](../03/13.md).<br><br>The enemy of God’s people, “Satan” (See [2:18](../02/18.md)) is here called “the tempter” (See [3:5](../03/05.md)).<br><br>### Hyperbole<br><br>Paul uses emotional and extreme language when speaking of his memory of the Thessalonian church. “Enduring it no longer,” the apostles and especially Paul (See [3:1,5](../03/01.md)), feel compelled to find out about the spiritual condition of the church. The intensity and duration the apostles’ prayers is described as “night and day pleading earnestly” (See [3:10](../03/10.md)).<br><br>### The Second Coming of Christ<br><br>Here, the apostles pray that the Thessalonian Church will be preserved holy when Christ comes again with all his holy ones, or “saints” (See [3:13](../03/13.md). | |||
| 193 | 1TH | 3 | 1 | fqe3 | grammar-connect-logic-result | διὸ μηκέτι στέγοντες, ηὐδοκήσαμεν καταλειφθῆναι ἐν Ἀθήναις μόνοι, | 1 | enduring it no longer | If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “We thought it proper to stay behind in Athens alone, because we could not restrain ourselves any longer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 194 | 1TH | 3 | 1 | zvgz | grammar-connect-words-phrases | διὸ | 1 | enduring it no longer | Here, **Therefore** indicates a return to the topic of a visit from the apostles (See [2:17-18](../02/17/.md)). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 195 | 1TH | 3 | 1 | amxf | figs-hyperbole | διὸ μηκέτι στέγοντες | 1 | enduring it no longer | This phrase uses extreme exaggeration to express the apostles’ deep desire to visit the Thessalonian church (See [2:17](../02/17.md)). The word translated **enduring** can also convey the concept of keeping water out of a ship or trying to contain or holding something back. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language that communicates anxious longing. Alternate translation: “Thus, since we could not bear to wait any longer” or “Therefore, because we could not ignore these emotions” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) |
| 196 | 1TH | 3 | 1 | n47x | figs-explicit | ηὐδοκήσαμεν καταλειφθῆναι ἐν Ἀθήναις μόνοι | 1 | we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone | The assumed knowledge is that **we** and **alone** refer to Paul and Silvanus (and perhaps Timothy), since in [3:2](../03/02.md) it says “we sent Timothy.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Silas and I thought it was good idea to remain alone in Athens” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 197 | 1TH | 3 | 2 | q1f7 | grammar-connect-words-phrases | καὶ | 1 | our brother and a servant | Here, **and** indicates that what follows is the result of the apostles’ desire to visit the Thessalonian church. You can make this clear in your translation with more explicit connecting word or phrase. Alternate translation: “Even though this was true” or “So” or “This is why” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 198 | 1TH | 3 | 2 | vsoo | figs-exclusive | ἐπέμψαμεν…ἡμῶν | 1 | our brother and a servant | When Paul says **we** and **our**, he is exclusively speaking of himself and Silvanus. Your language may require you to mark these forms. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) |
| 199 | 1TH | 3 | 2 | d8yy | figs-distinguish | τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἡμῶν, καὶ διάκονον τοῦ Θεοῦ | 1 | our brother and a servant | This phrase gives us further information about Timothy. It is meant to clarify that he is authorized by the apostles and God himself. If this is not understood in your language, you can make the relationship between these phrases more clear. Alternate translation: “and we sent Timothy who is our fellow worker and an authorized servant of God” or “and we sent Timothy. He is our assistant and God’s authorized servant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]]) |
| 200 | 1TH | 3 | 2 | yyio | figs-metaphor | τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἡμῶν, καὶ διάκονον τοῦ Θεοῦ | 1 | our brother and a servant | Here, the metaphors **our brother** and **servant** refer to **Timothy** as a fellow apostle. If your readers would not understand what **brother** or **servant** mean in this context, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express Paul’s meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “he assists us and ministers for God in the preaching of the gospel about Christ” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 201 | 1TH | 3 | 2 | lkvo | figs-possession | καὶ διάκονον τοῦ Θεοῦ | 1 | our brother and a servant | Here, **servant of God** likely refer to these ideas: (1) a servant in general. Alternate translation: “and a minister of God” or “and assistant to God” (2) office of deacon. Alternate translation: “and a deacon of God” or “who also serves God as a deacon” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) |
| 202 | 1TH | 3 | 2 | dsnc | ἐν | 1 | our brother and a servant | This preposition **in** could convey a few different nuances of meaning: (1) Association. Alternate translation: “associated with” or “partnering in” (2) Cause. Alternate translation: “for the cause of” or “for the sake of” (3) Instrument. Alternate translation: “through” or “by means of” | |
| 203 | 1TH | 3 | 2 | pqif | figs-possession | τοῦ Χριστοῦ | 1 | our brother and a servant | Paul is most likely using the possessive form to refer to **the gospel** that is “about” **Christ**. If this is not clear in your language, you could replace **of** with “about.” Alternate translation: “about Christ” or concerning Christ” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) |
| 204 | 1TH | 3 | 2 | x4vx | grammar-connect-logic-goal | εἰς τὸ στηρίξαι ὑμᾶς καὶ παρακαλέσαι | 1 | our brother and a servant | This is a purpose clause. Paul is stating the purpose for why he and Silvanus sent Timothy. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: “so that you would be confirmed and consoled” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]]) |
| 205 | 1TH | 3 | 3 | u7vo | figs-abstractnouns | τὸ μηδένα σαίνεσθαι ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσιν ταύταις | 1 | no one be disturbed | If your language does not use an abstract noun for this idea, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **afflictions** in another way. Alternate translation: “so that being distressed would not make anyone waver” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 206 | 1TH | 3 | 3 | o4w8 | grammar-connect-logic-goal | τὸ μηδένα σαίνεσθαι | 1 | no one be disturbed | This is a purpose clause. Paul is stating the purpose for sending Timothy. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: “in order that no one would waver” or “for the purpose of keeping anyone from being deceived” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]]) |
| 207 | 1TH | 3 | 3 | v8q7 | grammar-collectivenouns | μηδένα σαίνεσθαι | 1 | no one be disturbed | The word **no one** is singular noun that refers to a group of people. If your language does not use singular nouns in that way, you can use a different expression. Alternate translation: “no person wavers” or “none of you are deceived” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns]]) |
| 208 | 1TH | 3 | 3 | t0vs | figs-rpronouns | αὐτοὶ γὰρ οἴδατε | 1 | no one be disturbed | Paul uses the word **yourselves** to emphasize what the apostles had previously told them about **afflictions**. Use a way that is natural in your language to indicate this emphasis. Alternate translation: “In fact, you know for yourselves” or “Certainly, you are well aware of the fact” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns]]) |
| 209 | 1TH | 3 | 3 | cdaa | grammar-collectivenouns | εἰς τοῦτο | 1 | no one be disturbed | The word **this** is a singular pronoun that equates **afflictions** with a condition or state of being. If your language does not use singular pronouns in that way, you can use a different expression. Alternate translation: “for this very thing” or “for this purpose” or “for this destiny” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns]]) |
| 210 | 1TH | 3 | 3 | rkx9 | figs-explicit | κείμεθα | 1 | we are appointed | Paul assumes that the Thessalonian church knows that it is God who **appointed** the apostles for **afflictions**. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “God appointed us” or “God destined us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 211 | 1TH | 3 | 3 | gla7 | figs-exclusive | κείμεθα | 1 | we are appointed | Here, **we** refers exclusively to the apostles. Your language may require you to mark these forms. Alternate translation: See UST (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) |
| 212 | 1TH | 3 | 4 | nm1l | writing-background | καὶ γὰρ ὅτε πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἦμεν, προελέγομεν ὑμῖν ὅτι μέλλομεν θλίβεσθαι, καθὼς καὶ ἐγένετο καὶ οἴδατε. | 1 | to suffer affliction | Paul is giving background information about his previous visit. He encourages the Thessalonian church that he sent Timothy to remind them of what he had already told them about apostolic sufferings. Use the natural form in your language for expressing background information. Alternate translation: “Indeed, the last time we visited you, we kept telling you before it happened, ‘We are destined to be afflicted.’ You are well aware that it happened exactly as we told you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 213 | 1TH | 3 | 4 | wo6q | figs-exclusive | ἦμεν | 1 | to suffer affliction | Here, **we** is exclusive of the apostles. Your language may require you to mark these forms. Alternate translation: “we apostles were” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) |
| 214 | 1TH | 3 | 4 | w95u | grammar-connect-words-phrases | γὰρ | 1 | to suffer affliction | Here, **For** indicates that what follows explains and emphasizes what the Thessalonian already know about the apostles’ afflictions. Alternate translation: “Certainly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 215 | 1TH | 3 | 4 | wuco | figs-quotations | προελέγομεν ὑμῖν ὅτι μέλλομεν θλίβεσθαι | 1 | to suffer affliction | Here, **that** could either express emphasis or be a quotation marker of what the apostles said. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this as a direct quotation. Alternate translation: “we kept telling you ahead of time, ‘We are destined to endure distress.’” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]]) |
| 216 | 1TH | 3 | 4 | a5y6 | καὶ ἐγένετο | 1 | to suffer affliction | Here, **and it happened** is meant to emphasize Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy’s apostolic credentials by verifying that their prophetic words came true. | |
| 217 | 1TH | 3 | 5 | tj4e | writing-participants | διὰ τοῦτο κἀγὼ μηκέτι στέγων, ἔπεμψα εἰς τὸ γνῶναι τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν | 1 | I also no longer enduring it | Here, Paul summarizes the story of Timothy’s visit, but leaves out mention of Timothy as redundant information. If it is clearer in your language, you could include mention of Timothy. Alternate translation: “Again, since I could not wait anymore, I sent Timothy to learn if you still trust in God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-participants]]) |
| 218 | 1TH | 3 | 5 | o9ep | figs-parallelism | κἀγὼ μηκέτι στέγων, ἔπεμψα | 1 | I also no longer enduring it | Paul repeats the same phrase **no longer enduring it** found in [3:1](../03/01.md). Here, **I … sent** parallels “we … sent” in [3:1-2](../03/01.md). This expresses that Paul represents the apostles who sent Timothy to Thessalonica. Use a natural way in language to indicate this parallelism. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 219 | 1TH | 3 | 5 | st3d | figs-hyperbole | κἀγὼ μηκέτι στέγων | 1 | I also no longer enduring it | This phrase is an exaggeration that Paul uses to express deep concern. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language that shows deep concern. See your translation at [3:1](../03/01.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) |
| 220 | 1TH | 3 | 5 | zn36 | figs-explicit | ἔπεμψα | 1 | sent | Here, it is implied that Paul **sent** Timothy. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “I, Paul, sent Timothy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 221 | 1TH | 3 | 5 | judq | grammar-connect-logic-goal | εἰς τὸ γνῶναι τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν | 1 | sent | This is a purpose clause. Paul is stating the purpose for why he **sent** Timothy. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: “so that I could learn if you remained faithful” or “in order to discern if you still trust God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]]) |
| 222 | 1TH | 3 | 5 | nopp | figs-idiom | ὁ πειράζων | 1 | our labor | Here Paul uses the phrase **the tempter** as a title to identify Satan (See Matthew 4:3). The phrase means “one who tempts.” If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use a phrase. Alternate translation: “Satan, the one who tempts” |
| 223 | 1TH | 3 | 5 | ua7i | figs-hypo | μή πως ἐπείρασεν ὑμᾶς ὁ πειράζων, καὶ | 1 | our labor | Paul is using a hypothetical situation to help his readers recognize how powerful satanic temptation can be. Use the natural form in your language for expressing a hypothetical situation. Alternate translation: “because if Satan tempted you, I wanted to find out, then” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]]) |
| 224 | 1TH | 3 | 5 | gnow | grammar-connect-logic-result | καὶ εἰς κενὸν γένηται ὁ κόπος ἡμῶν | 1 | our labor | This phrase could be a result clause. Paul is stating what would be the result if the Thessalonian church let Satan tempt them to stop trusting God. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a result clause. Alternate translation: “then how hard we worked would have been worthless” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 225 | 1TH | 3 | 5 | g92s | figs-synecdoche | καὶ εἰς κενὸν γένηται ὁ κόπος ἡμῶν | 1 | our labor | Paul refers figuratively to **labor** to mean what spiritual or physical labor produces. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or plain language. Alternate translation: “then our hard labor would have yielded no profit” or “then our toiling would be for nothing” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) |
| 226 | 1TH | 3 | 5 | jnzb | figs-hyperbole | εἰς κενὸν | 1 | our labor | Here, **in vain** is an exaggeration that Paul uses to express how sad the apostles would be if the Thessalonian Church did not remain faithful to God. Paul does not really think the apostles’ **labor** is worthless. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language that shows deep disappointment. Alternate translation: “worthless” or “purposeless” or “profitless” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) |
| 227 | 1TH | 3 | 6 | esxw | grammar-connect-time-background | 0 | Connecting Statement: | In [3:6](../03/06.md) Paul describes Timothy’s current report about the Thessalonian church. Paul provides this background information to help his readers understand how comforted he is (See [3:7](../03/07.md)).Use the natural form in your language for expressing background information. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background]]) | |
| 228 | 1TH | 3 | 6 | r4pa | grammar-connect-words-phrases | ἄρτι δὲ ἐλθόντος Τιμοθέου πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀφ’ ὑμῶν | 1 | Connecting Statement: | The phrase **But just now** brings Paul’s narrative into the present time. Use a natural way in your language to express this emphasis. Alternate translation: “But recently Timothy returned to us from visiting you” or “But now Timothy is back to us from his visit with you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 229 | 1TH | 3 | 6 | gci4 | figs-exclusive | πρὸς ἡμᾶς | 1 | to us | This is an exclusive use of **us**, referring to Paul and Silvanus. Your language may require you to mark these forms. Alternate translation: See UST (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) |
| 230 | 1TH | 3 | 6 | x9u8 | figs-litany | τὴν πίστιν καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην ὑμῶν, καὶ ὅτι ἔχετε μνείαν ἡμῶν ἀγαθὴν πάντοτε, ἐπιποθοῦντες ἡμᾶς ἰδεῖν, καθάπερ καὶ ἡμεῖς ὑμᾶς | 1 | to us | Paul uses a short list in [3:6](../03/06.md) to describe the feelings the Thessalonian church has toward the apostles. This repetitive style of speaking or writing is called a “litany.” Use a form in your language that someone would use to list things that someone has done right. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litany]]) |
| 231 | 1TH | 3 | 6 | tu8d | figs-abstractnouns | τὴν πίστιν καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην ὑμῶν | 1 | of your faith | If your language does not use abstract nouns for this idea, you could express the idea behind the abstract nouns **faith** and **love** in another way. Alternate translation: “that you remain faithful to God and love him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 232 | 1TH | 3 | 6 | fu8h | figs-hendiadys | τὴν πίστιν καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην ὑμῶν | 1 | of your faith | This phrase could express a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **faith** could describe **love**. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use **and**. Alternate translation: “your faithful love” or “your faithful love toward God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]]) |
| 233 | 1TH | 3 | 6 | tf95 | grammar-connect-logic-result | καὶ ὅτι ἔχετε μνείαν ἡμῶν ἀγαθὴν πάντοτε, ἐπιποθοῦντες ἡμᾶς ἰδεῖν | 1 | you always have good memories | This phrase could indicate a result clause. If it would be clearer in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “and you constantly desire to visit with us, because you always remember us fondly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 234 | 1TH | 3 | 6 | e6kx | figs-abstractnouns | καὶ ὅτι ἔχετε μνείαν ἡμῶν ἀγαθὴν πάντοτε | 1 | you always have good memories | If your language does not use an abstract noun for this idea, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **memories** in another way. Alternate translation: “and how you always remember us fondly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 235 | 1TH | 3 | 7 | dpij | grammar-connect-logic-result | διὰ τοῦτο παρεκλήθημεν, ἀδελφοί, ἐφ’ ὑμῖν | 1 | brothers | This phrase is a result clause. Paul is stating the result of the Timothy’s good news in [3:6])../03/06.md). Use a natural way in your language for introducing a result clause. Alternate translation: “Fellow believers in Christ, as a result of Timothy’s good news about you, God consoled us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 236 | 1TH | 3 | 7 | csz7 | figs-hendiadys | ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ ἀνάγκῃ καὶ θλίψει ἡμῶν | 1 | in all our distress and affliction | This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **distress** describes the **affliction**. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use **and**. Here, this phrase emphasizes how much and how intensely the apostles were persecuted. Alternate translation: “in all our abusive affliction” or “in all our violent suffering” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]]) |
| 237 | 1TH | 3 | 7 | e96u | figs-abstractnouns | ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ ἀνάγκῃ καὶ θλίψει ἡμῶν | 1 | in all our distress and affliction | If your language does not use an abstract noun phrase for these ideas, you could express the ideas behind this abstract noun phrase in another way. Here, it could refer to: (1) time of distress and affliction. Alternate translation: “during all our abuse and affliction” or “each time we violently suffered” (2) place or way of distress and affliction. Alternate translation: “in every place the tempter violently afflicted us” or “in every way we suffered abuse” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 238 | 1TH | 3 | 8 | utk3 | grammar-connect-logic-result | ὅτι νῦν ζῶμεν, ἐὰν ὑμεῖς στήκετε ἐν Κυρίῳ | 1 | if you stand firm in the Lord | If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “Since you are remaining faithful to the Lord Jesus, we are now refreshed!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 239 | 1TH | 3 | 7 | k54j | figs-abstractnouns | διὰ τῆς ὑμῶν πίστεως | 1 | because of your faith | If your language does not use an abstract noun for this idea, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **faith** in another way. Alternate translation: “because you remain faithful to God” or “through your faithfulness” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 240 | 1TH | 3 | 8 | y1vb | figs-hyperbole | ὅτι νῦν ζῶμεν | 1 | we live | Here, **For now we live** is an exaggeration that Paul uses to show how thankful he is that the Thessalonians **stand firm** in the Christian faith (See [3:7](../03/07.md)). Paul is not trying to say that he was dead. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language that shows thankfulness. Alternate translation (replace the comma): “O how we are now refreshed!” or “O how we now feel alive!” or “Certainly now we thrive!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) |
| 241 | 1TH | 3 | 8 | x4zn | figs-idiom | ἐὰν ὑμεῖς στήκετε ἐν Κυρίῳ | 1 | if you stand firm in the Lord | Here, the term **stand firm** is an idiom meaning “remain faithful.” If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “when you remain faithful to the Lord” or “if you continue unwavering in your relationship with the Lord” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 242 | 1TH | 3 | 8 | zbyo | grammar-connect-condition-fact | ἐὰν ὑμεῖς στήκετε ἐν Κυρίῳ | 1 | if you stand firm in the Lord | Paul is speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might misunderstand and think that what Paul is saying is not certain, then you can translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “since you are remaining faithful to the Lord Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-fact]]) |
| 243 | 1TH | 3 | 8 | hk91 | figs-metaphor | ὑμεῖς στήκετε ἐν Κυρίῳ | 1 | if you stand firm in the Lord | Paul speaks figuratively of the Thessalonian church as though they were occupying space inside the Lord Jesus. Here, this metaphor could express these ideas: (1) devotion to Jesus. Alternate translation: “you are really devoted to the Lord Jesus” (2) relationship with Jesus. Alternate translation: “you are truly standing firm in your relationship with the Lord Jesus” (3) union with Jesus. Alternate translation: “all of you are firmly united to the Lord Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 244 | 1TH | 3 | 8 | e3pe | figs-rpronouns | ὑμεῖς | 1 | if you stand firm in the Lord | Paul uses the word **yourselves** to emphasize his joy for the Thessalonian church’s faithfulness. Use a way that is natural in your language to indicate this emphasis. Alternative translation: “indeed you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns]]) |
| 245 | 1TH | 3 | 9 | pzq7 | figs-rquestion | τίνα γὰρ εὐχαριστίαν δυνάμεθα τῷ Θεῷ ἀνταποδοῦναι περὶ ὑμῶν, ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ χαρᾷ ᾗ χαίρομεν δι’ ὑμᾶς, ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν. | 1 | For what thanks are we able to give back to God concerning you, for all the joy in which we rejoice before our God because of you, | Paul is using a rhetorical question that continues to the end of [3:10](../03/10.md) in order to emphasize the apostles’ thankful joy for the Thessalonian church’s faithfulness to God. If you would not use a rhetorical question for this purpose in your language, you could translate his words as a statement or an exclamation and communicate the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “We could not possibly thank God enough for what he has done for you! When we pray to our God, we greatly rejoice because of you!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]]) |
| 246 | 1TH | 3 | 9 | pdc5 | figs-metaphor | τίνα γὰρ εὐχαριστίαν δυνάμεθα τῷ Θεῷ ἀνταποδοῦναι περὶ ὑμῶν | 1 | before our God | With the phrase **give back**, Paul speaks figuratively of the apostles as if they owe God a debt for the sake of the Thessalonian church’s faithfulness. Paul means that the apostles cannot express how thankful they are. If your readers would not understand what it means to **give back** in this context, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express Paul’s meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “Because, how could we possibly show how grateful we are to God for you” or “Indeed, what kind of thanksgiving could we give in exchange for you to repay our debt to God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])<br> |
| 247 | 1TH | 3 | 9 | j6pj | grammar-connect-logic-result | ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ χαρᾷ ᾗ χαίρομεν δι’ ὑμᾶς, ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν | 1 | before our God | If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Since this is a rhetorical question, you could change it to a statement, and begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “Because of you, we greatly rejoice when we pray to God!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])<br> |
| 248 | 1TH | 3 | 9 | u00t | figs-doublet | ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ χαρᾷ ᾗ χαίρομεν | 1 | before our God | These words mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize how much joy the apostles have because of the Thessalonian church’s faithfulness to God. Alternate translation: “for how much we greatly rejoice” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])<br> |
| 249 | 1TH | 3 | 9 | p5ka | figs-idiom | χαίρομεν…ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν | 1 | before our God | Here, **before our God** is an idiom for being in the personal presence of God. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “we rejoice in the presence of our God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 250 | 1TH | 3 | 10 | k71n | figs-hyperbole | νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας, ὑπέρἐκπερισσοῦ δεόμενοι | 1 | earnestly | This emphatic phrase is an exaggeration that Paul uses to show how much and often the apostles pray for the Thessalonian church. Paul does not mean to say he never does anything else except pray. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language that expresses this emphasis. Alternate translation: “we never stop intensely pleading” or “we continually and fervently praying” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])<br> |
| 251 | 1TH | 3 | 10 | eb26 | figs-idiom | εἰς τὸ ἰδεῖν ὑμῶν τὸ πρόσωπον | 1 | to see your face | Here, the phrase **to see your face** is an idiom meaning “visit.” If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “to visit you” or “to spend time with you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 252 | 1TH | 3 | 10 | s0xz | figs-synecdoche | ὑμῶν τὸ πρόσωπον | 1 | to see your face | Paul refers figuratively to **your face** to mean the whole Thessalonian church. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or plain language. Alternate translation: “all of you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) |
| 253 | 1TH | 3 | 10 | e5fh | figs-abstractnouns | καὶ καταρτίσαι τὰ ὑστερήματα τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν | 1 | to see your face | If your language does not use an abstract noun phrase for this idea, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **faith** in another way (See also [2:17](../02/17.md)). Alternate translation: “and to provide support so that you remain faithful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 254 | 1TH | 3 | 11 | tet9 | grammar-connect-words-phrases | δὲ…κατευθύναι | 1 | General Information: | Here, **But…may…direct** indicate that this verse is the beginning of a prayer that continues through [3:13](../03/13.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 255 | 1TH | 3 | 11 | mc2m | figs-rpronouns | αὐτὸς | 1 | may our God and Father … direct | Paul uses the word **himself** to distinguish **our God and Father** from **our Lord Jesus**. Use a way that is natural in your language to indicate this distinction. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns]])<br> |
| 256 | 1TH | 3 | 11 | f3wh | figs-hendiadys | ὁ Θεὸς καὶ Πατὴρ ἡμῶν | 1 | our God and Father … our Lord | Here, **our God and Father** refers to the one divine person who is both God and Father. This phrase is a hendiadys, since Father further describes God (See also [1:3](../01/03.md)). Alternate translation: “God our Father” or “our Father God” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys) |
| 257 | 1TH | 3 | 11 | bql9 | figs-exclusive | ἡμῶν…ἡμῶν…ἡμῶν | 1 | our God and Father … our Lord | It is possible that these first two uses of **our** are inclusive of the the whole Christian Church. Yet, the third use of **our** exclusively refers to the apostles. So, it is most likely that **our** refers exclusively to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy in this whole verse (see also [1:9, 2:1, 3:9](../01/09.md)). Your language may require you to mark these forms. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) |
| 258 | 1TH | 3 | 11 | um1c | figs-metaphor | κατευθύναι τὴν ὁδὸν ἡμῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς. | 1 | may … direct our way to you | Paul speaks figuratively about God as if he was a pilot or captain of a ship. Paul means that he wants God to allow the apostles to visit the Thessalonian church again. If your readers would not understand what **may … direct our way to you** means in this context, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express Paul’s meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “O that … would quickly bring us to you!” or “to direct our voyage so that we can visit you” or (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 259 | 1TH | 3 | 12 | o80n | figs-metaphor | τῇ ἀγάπῃ | 1 | may the Lord make you increase and abound in love | Paul speaks figuratively of **love** as something that can be quantified or measured. He means that he hopes the Thessalonian church will keep loving people well. If your readers would not understand what **in love** means in this context, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternate translation: “lovingly increase and abound” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])<br> |
| 260 | 1TH | 3 | 12 | f4ma | figs-doublet | πλεονάσαι καὶ περισσεύσαι | 1 | may the Lord make you increase and abound in love | These two words mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize how much the apostles want the Thessalonian church to keep increasing in their love for all people. If your language does not use repetition in this way, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “completely excel” or “fully thrive” or (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 261 | 1TH | 3 | 12 | ofl2 | figs-merism | εἰς ἀλλήλους, καὶ εἰς πάντας | 1 | may the Lord make you increase and abound in love | Paul speaks figuratively, using these phrases in order to include the whole human race. If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “toward each and every person” or “toward the whole human race” or “toward Christians and non-Christians” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) |
| 262 | 1TH | 3 | 12 | dm6c | καθάπερ καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς | 1 | may the Lord make you increase and abound in love | Here, **just as we also toward you** is an emphatic phrase meant to reinforce the deep love the apostles have for the Thessalonian church (also in [3:6](../03/06.md)). Use a natural way in your language to express this emphasis. Alternate translation: “in the same way we love you” | |
| 263 | 1TH | 3 | 13 | ms8t | figs-abstractnouns | εἰς τὸ στηρίξαι ὑμῶν τὰς καρδίας, ἀμέμπτους ἐν ἁγιωσύνῃ | 1 | at the coming of our Lord Jesus | If your language does not use abstract nouns for these ideas, you could express the ideas behind these abstract noun phrases in another way. Alternate translation: “so that the Lord establishes you with innocent affections that are appropriate for those who belong to him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 264 | 1TH | 3 | 13 | ly21 | figs-metaphor | εἰς τὸ στηρίξαι ὑμῶν τὰς καρδίας | 1 | to strengthen your hearts, blameless | Paul speaks figuratively of the Thessalonian church as if they have one heart that is like a building that can be established or supported. He means that he wants God to increase their willpower or affections so that they would remain faithful to God. If your readers would not understand what this phrase means in this context, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express Paul’s meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “to establish your affections” or “to strengthen your will” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])<br> |
| 265 | 1TH | 3 | 13 | taws | grammar-connect-logic-goal | εἰς τὸ στηρίξαι ὑμῶν τὰς καρδίας | 1 | to strengthen your hearts, blameless | This phrase is a purpose clause. Paul is stating the purpose for why he prays that God will increase the Thessalonian church’s love for all people. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: “so that the Lord will establish your affections for him” or “in order that the Lord will strengthen your willpower” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]])<br> |
| 266 | 1TH | 3 | 13 | jev8 | figs-doublet | ἀμέμπτους ἐν ἁγιωσύνῃ | 1 | at the coming of our Lord Jesus | These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize total sanctification. If your language does not use repetition in this way, you could combine these phrases. This phrase could refer to: (1) condition of holiness. Alternate translation: “blameless in a condition of holiness” (2) means of holiness. Alternate translation: “blameless through holiness” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) <br> |
| 267 | 1TH | 3 | 13 | p12j | figs-idiom | ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν | 1 | at the coming of our Lord Jesus | This phrase an idiom for being in the personal presence of God (See [3:9](../03/09.md)). If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “in the presence of our Father God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 268 | 1TH | 3 | 13 | vnsi | figs-explicit | ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦ, μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων αὐτοῦ | 1 | at the coming of our Lord Jesus | This is a reference to the Zechariah 14:5 (See also 2 Thessalonians 1:7,10; Jude 14). The implication is that these **saints** are all those **who are blameless in holiness** who have already died (See [4:14](../04/14.md)). If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “at the time the Lord Jesus arrives along with all his holy people who have already died” or “when the Lord Jesus returns a second time with all those reposed people who belong to him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 269 | 1TH | 3 | 13 | ytqg | figs-idiom | ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦ | 1 | at the coming of our Lord Jesus | Here, the word translated **coming** is a well-known idiom in 1-2 Thessalonians for the Second Coming of Christ (See [2:19](../02/19.md) or the “Day of the Lord” [5:2](../05/02.md). If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his Second Coming” or “in the sight of our Lord Jesus when he arrives again” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])<br> |
| 270 | 1TH | 3 | 13 | py9f | translate-textvariants | ἀμήν | 1 | at the coming of our Lord Jesus | Many ancient manuscripts omit this word. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) |
| 271 | 1TH | 4 | intro | b1z5 | 0 | # 1 Thessalonians 4 General Notes<br><br>## Outline of 1 Thessalonians 4<br><br>1. Apostolic Teachings on Holiness (4:1-8)<br>2. Apostolic Teachings on Christian Love (4:9-12)<br>* Reminder (4:9-10)<br>* Keep Busy (4:11-12)<br>3. Apostolic Teachings on the Manner of the Second Coming of Christ (4:13-18)<br><br>## “We” and “you”<br><br>In this letter, the words **we** and **our** refer to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, unless otherwise noted. Throughout the letter, **we** and **our** is used to convey that all three apostles are in agreement with the letter.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Christian love<br><br>The apostles address this topic of Christian love that the Thessalonian Church had previously asked about. The apostles encouraged the church that they were already loving well, and to continue to grow in this practice. The apostles also link “brotherly love” to living in harmony with each other and minding their own businesss, so that they would be a good example to non-Christians (See [4:11-12](../04/11.md)).<br><br>### Dying before the Second Coming of Christ<br><br>The Thessalonian Church was concerned about what would happen if a believer died before Christ returned. They were anxious to know whether or not those who died before Christ returned would be part of the Kingdom of God. Paul addresses that concern in [4:13-5:11](../04/13.md).<br><br>### The manner of the Second Coming of Christ<br><br>In [4:13-18](../04/13.md), the apostles teach about the events related to the Second Coming of Christ (called “the day of the Lord” in [5:2](../05/02.md). This is so that the Thessalonians can “comfort one another with these words” (See [4:18](../04/18.md)).<br><br>## Important translation issues in this chapter<br><br>### Sexual immorality<br><br>Different cultures have different standards of sexual morality. These different cultural standards may make translating this passage difficult. Translators will have to consider the most appropriate way to communicate these sensitive issues.<br><br>### The Second Coming of Christ<br><br>Historically, there has been one teaching on the Second Coming of Christ. As the Nicene Creed of 381 states: “I await the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come.” Christ came once as Incarnate God and will return once as Resurrected Judge. This is what [4:13-5:11](../04/13.md) unequivocally refers to. Here, “the coming of the Lord” and the “day of the Lord” [5:2](../05/02.md) are the same event, as is clear from the context. One confusion stems from the fact that novel and heterodox interpretations have become popularized. Prior to the mid-1800’s there was no other view in any denomination of the Church. Another confusion comes from the reliance on modern chapter headings that often confuse readers about when and where subject matter changes. The original text of 1 Thessalonians had no chapter or verse markings, so it would have been more obvious to an ancient reader that chapter four and five are talking about the same event. | |||
| 272 | 1TH | 4 | 1 | vtas | grammar-connect-words-phrases | λοιπὸν οὖν | 1 | brothers | Here, **So finally** could refer to: (1) summary of the apostles teachings. Alternate translation: “So, in summary,” or (2) remaining things to address. “So then, here is what remains to talk about” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 273 | 1TH | 4 | 1 | u2lw | figs-doublet | ἐρωτῶμεν ὑμᾶς καὶ παρακαλοῦμεν | 1 | we beg and exhort you | These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize how seriously the apostles want the Thessalonian church to follow their teachings. If your language does not use repetition in this way, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “we are urging and appealing to you” or “we are strongly urging to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])<br> |
| 274 | 1TH | 4 | 1 | foeh | figs-idiom | ἐν Κυρίῳ Ἰησοῦ | 1 | we beg and exhort you | Paul speaks figuratively as if the apostles are occupying space inside of **the Lord Jesus**. Here, the metaphor expresses the idea that the apostles represent Jesus himself like ambassadors who possess a king’s authority. If your readers would not understand what **in the Lord** means in this context, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express Paul’s meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “with our authority from the Lord Jesus” or “as spokespersons for the Lord Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])<br> |
| 275 | 1TH | 4 | 1 | p4db | figs-metaphor | τὸ πῶς δεῖ ὑμᾶς περιπατεῖν | 1 | it is necessary for you to walk | Here, **to walk** is a metaphor that means “to live” or “to obey” (See [2:12](../02/12.md)). If your readers would not understand what it means **to walk** in this context, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express Paul’s meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “about how you must live” or “about how you are obligated to obey” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 276 | 1TH | 4 | 1 | ckii | figs-hendiadys | τὸ πῶς δεῖ ὑμᾶς περιπατεῖν καὶ ἀρέσκειν Θεῷ (καθὼς καὶ περιπατεῖτε) | 1 | it is necessary for you to walk | Here, **to walk and to please** expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **please** describes how the Thessalonian church should **walk**. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use **and**. Alternate translation: “about how you must live to please God (exactly as you live now)” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]])<br> |
| 277 | 1TH | 4 | 1 | q937 | grammar-connect-logic-goal | ἵνα περισσεύητε μᾶλλον | 1 | it is necessary for you to walk | This phrase could introduce a purpose clause. Paul could be stating the purpose for which apostles are begging and exhorting the Thessalonian church. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: “so that you can excel more and more” or “in order that you thrive even more” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]]) |
| 278 | 1TH | 4 | 2 | oyu3 | grammar-connect-time-background | 0 | through the Lord Jesus | Paul is providing this background information about the apostles’ teachings during their previous visit to help readers understand what happens next. Use a natural way in your language for introducing background information. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background]])<br> | |
| 279 | 1TH | 4 | 2 | dg4p | grammar-connect-logic-result | οἴδατε γὰρ τίνας παραγγελίας ἐδώκαμεν ὑμῖν διὰ τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ | 1 | through the Lord Jesus | This verse expresses that the Thessalonian church should do what the apostles previously taught them (See [4:1](../04/01.md)), because these teachings are are actually commands from **the Lord Jesus** himself. Use a natural way in your language to express a result clause. Alternate translation: “Because you recognize that the Lord Jesus commanded you through what we taught” or “Since you are aware that when we gave commands it was actually the Lord Jesus who taught you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 280 | 1TH | 4 | 2 | ebjm | grammar-connect-words-phrases | γὰρ | 1 | through the Lord Jesus | Here, **For** indicates that what follows is something else important that the Thessalonian church should pay attention to. Use a natural way in your language to express this emphasis. Alternate translation: “In fact” or “Certainly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 281 | 1TH | 4 | 2 | vg16 | figs-metaphor | διὰ τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ | 1 | through the Lord Jesus | Paul speaks figuratively of the **commands** that the apostles gave to the Thessalonian church as though **Jesus** personally spoke them to the apostles. Paul means that **Jesus** made the apostles his messengers, not that **Jesus** is a messenger of the apostles. If your readers would not understand what **through the Lord Jesus** in this context, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express Paul’s meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “by order of the Lord Jesus himself” or “through a message from the Lord Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 282 | 1TH | 4 | 3 | ycsw | figs-abstractnouns | τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν θέλημα τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὁ ἁγιασμὸς ὑμῶν, | 1 | for you to keep from sexual immorality | If your language does not use an abstract nouns for these ideas, you could express the ideas behind the abstract nouns **will** and **sanctification** in another way. Alternate translation: “Indeed, God desires that you live like those who belong to him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 283 | 1TH | 4 | 3 | vnp0 | grammar-collectivenouns | τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν θέλημα τοῦ Θεοῦ | 1 | for you to keep from sexual immorality | Here, **this** is a singular pronoun that emphasizes what **is the will of God**. If your language does not use singular nouns in that way, you can use a different expression. Alternate translation: “In fact, this is God’s will” or “Certainly, this very thing is God’s will” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns]]) |
| 284 | 1TH | 4 | 3 | lit4 | grammar-connect-words-phrases | τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν | 1 | for you to keep from sexual immorality | Here, **For this is** indicates that this is the beginning of a section about the content of the “commands … through the Lord Jesus” in [4:2](../04/02.md). Use a natural way in your language that indicates the beginning of new topic. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 285 | 1TH | 4 | 3 | mw4j | figs-litany | ἀπέχεσθαι ὑμᾶς ἀπὸ τῆς πορνείας | 1 | for you to keep from sexual immorality | Here, begins a list spanning from [4:3-8](../04/03.md) that explains what **sanctification** means. This repetitive style of speaking or writing is called a “litany.” Use a form in your language that someone would use to list things. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litany]]) |
| 286 | 1TH | 4 | 3 | lgac | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | ἀπέχεσθαι ὑμᾶς ἀπὸ τῆς πορνείας | 1 | for you to keep from sexual immorality | Here, **sexual immorality** is contrasted with **sanctification**. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a contrast. Alternate translation: “to refrain from sexually immoral acts” or “to hold yourself back from sexually immoral activity” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])<br> |
| 287 | 1TH | 4 | 3 | lhxi | figs-imperative | ἀπέχεσθαι ὑμᾶς | 1 | for you to keep from sexual immorality | The following list of verb forms in [4:3-6](../04/3.md) could be translated as commands (See [4:2](../04/02.md)). Here, the verb forms are likely meant to express a strong suggestion or appeal. Use a form in your language that would be used in this type of situation. Alternate translation: “you yourselves must refrain” or “so you should withhold yourselves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative]]) |
| 288 | 1TH | 4 | 3 | le7j | translate-textvariants | τῆς πορνείας | 1 | for you to keep from sexual immorality | Some ancient manuscripts read “all **sexual immorality**” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) |
| 289 | 1TH | 4 | 4 | ox95 | figs-abstractnouns | εἰδέναι ἕκαστον ὑμῶν τὸ ἑαυτοῦ σκεῦος, κτᾶσθαι ἐν ἁγιασμῷ καὶ τιμῇ, | 1 | to know to possess his own vessel | If it is clearer in your language, you could change this abstract phrase to an active form. Alternate translation: “each husband must only have sexual knowledge of his own wife, by treating her like she belongs to God and by honoring her” or “each man should know how to practice self-control by setting apart and honoring his own body” or (See UST for two separate sentences)(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 290 | 1TH | 4 | 4 | zis1 | figs-abstractnouns | εἰδέναι ἕκαστον ὑμῶν τὸ ἑαυτοῦ σκεῦος, κτᾶσθαι ἐν ἁγιασμῷ καὶ τιμῇ, | 1 | to know to possess his own vessel | If it is clearer in your language, you could change this abstract noun phrase into two active sentences (See UST). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 291 | 1TH | 4 | 4 | vhbp | figs-euphemism | εἰδέναι…κτᾶσθαι | 1 | to know to possess his own vessel | **to know … to possess** is a euphemism for sexual intimacy or knowledge (See previous note for an alternate translation). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]]) |
| 292 | 1TH | 4 | 4 | f4ux | figs-metaphor | τὸ ἑαυτοῦ σκεῦος, κτᾶσθαι | 1 | to know to possess his own vessel | Here, **to possess his own vessel** is a metaphor or idiom that compares sexual self-control to a proper use of a container. It could refer to: (1) a husband’s own body. Alternate translation: “to practice self-control with his own body” or “to control his own body” (2) his wife’s body. Alternate translation: “to hold onto his wife’s body” or “to properly care for his own wife” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 293 | 1TH | 4 | 4 | fk6n | figs-nominaladj | ἕκαστον | 1 | to know to possess his own vessel | This nominal adjective is used to emphasize that every husband or man must obey this teaching. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]]) |
| 294 | 1TH | 4 | 4 | arkf | figs-rpronouns | ἑαυτοῦ | 1 | to know to possess his own vessel | This reflexive pronoun further emphasizes the necessity of “sanctification” [4:3](../04/03.md), that the **vessel** belongs to the husband or man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns]]) |
| 295 | 1TH | 4 | 4 | ihqe | figs-hendiadys | ἐν ἁγιασμῷ καὶ τιμῇ | 1 | to know to possess his own vessel | This phrase is a hendiadys. Alternate translation: “by sanctifying and honoring his body” or “by sanctifying and honoring her body” or “by honorably setting it apart” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]]) |
| 296 | 1TH | 4 | 4 | nppk | ἐν ἁγιασμῷ καὶ τιμῇ | 1 | to know to possess his own vessel | This phrase could also refer to: (1) Condition. Alternate translation: “in the condition of holiness and honor” or “in a state of holiness and honor” (2) Association. Alternate translation: “with holiness and honor” (3) Means. Alternate translation: “through holiness and honor” | |
| 297 | 1TH | 4 | 5 | y9g2 | figs-parallelism | μὴ ἐν πάθει ἐπιθυμίας, καθάπερ καὶ τὰ ἔθνη τὰ μὴ εἰδότα τὸν Θεόν | 1 | in the passion of lust | This verse expresses a contrasting parallelism. **in the passion of lust** contrasts “in holiness and honor”. **each of you to know** contrasts “the Gentiles who do not know”. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 298 | 1TH | 4 | 5 | utvd | figs-abstractnouns | μὴ ἐν πάθει ἐπιθυμίας | 1 | in the passion of lust | If it is clearer in your language, you could change this abstract noun phrase into an active form (See UST), Alternate translation: “You must not passionately lust” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 299 | 1TH | 4 | 5 | x2t7 | μὴ ἐν πάθει ἐπιθυμίας | 1 | in the passion of lust | Like the previous phrase, this could refer to: (1) condition. Alternate translation: “in the condition of lustful passion” or “in a state of passionate lust” (2) association. Alternate translation: “with lustful passion” (3) means. Alternate translation: “through lustful passion” | |
| 300 | 1TH | 4 | 5 | vjej | figs-possession | πάθει ἐπιθυμίας | 1 | in the passion of lust | This genitive phrase could refer to: (1) attribute. Alternate translation: “lustful passion” (2) source. Alternate translation: “from lustful passion” or “from desire’s passion” (3) object. Alternate translation: “passion that leads to lust” (4) means. Alternate translation: “through lustful passion” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) |
| 301 | 1TH | 4 | 5 | nrmz | figs-distinguish | καθάπερ καὶ τὰ ἔθνη τὰ μὴ εἰδότα τὸν Θεόν | 1 | in the passion of lust | This emphatic clause is meant to inform. **who do not know** indicates a past state of being that continues. **God** indicates “the one true **God**” or “the only **God**”. Alternate translation: “the nations who remain ignorant of God act like this” or “this is the way those nations live, who continually refuse to give recognition to God” or “exactly like all the people who have no relationship with God” or “this is exactly the way the Gentiles, who have never known God, live” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]]) |
| 302 | 1TH | 4 | 5 | tz8o | figs-genericnoun | τὰ ἔθνη | 1 | in the passion of lust | Here, **the Gentiles** is a generic noun that refers to all non-Christians (See [2:16](../02/16.md)). Alternate translation: “all those nations” or “all the people” or “the pagan nations” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun]]) |
| 303 | 1TH | 4 | 6 | wmb6 | figs-parallelism | τὸ μὴ ὑπερβαίνειν καὶ πλεονεκτεῖν | 1 | transgress and wrong | This is a parallel clause that strongly repeats the prohibitive “not” concept found in [4:5](../04/05.md). Alternate translation: “no one should offend and take advantage of” or “no one must violate and exploit” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 304 | 1TH | 4 | 6 | a9st | figs-doublet | ὑπερβαίνειν καὶ πλεονεκτεῖν | 1 | transgress and wrong | The words translated **transgress and wrong** are a superlative doublet. The word translated **transgress** can mean “to overstep.” The word translated **wrong** can mean “possess more.” Here it conveys the nuance of “claiming what does not belong to someone,” or “to take advantage of.” The idea is that no one is permitted to violate or cross over the bounds of lawful marital relations, by taking what belongs to another man. Alternate translation: “trespass against and claim what belongs to” or “violate and exploit” or “transgress and take advantage of” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 305 | 1TH | 4 | 6 | ckez | figs-metaphor | ἐν τῷ πράγματι τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ | 1 | the Lord is an avenger | Here, **in this matter** uses a business metaphor to speak of sexual immorality [4:3](../04/03.md). The idea is that no one should intrude in the marital relationship of another **brother** or “fellow Christian.” Alternate translation: “in the marital matters of his fellow Christian” or “in the marriage relationship of another Christian” or (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 306 | 1TH | 4 | 6 | q7bf | grammar-connect-logic-result | διότι ἔκδικος Κύριος περὶ πάντων τούτων | 1 | the Lord is an avenger | This clause gives the final result of those who live “in the passion of lust” [4:5](../04/05.md). This could refer to: (1) the sexually immoral people. Alternate translation: “This is because the Lord will punish all those people” (2) all the matters spoken of in [1:3-6](../01/03.md). Alternate translation: “Certainly, the Lord will avenge for all these things” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 307 | 1TH | 4 | 6 | p80j | figs-abstractnouns | ἔκδικος | 1 | the Lord is an avenger | If it is clearer in your language, you could change this abstract noun into a verb form. Alternate translation: “is a punisher” or “is a judge” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 308 | 1TH | 4 | 6 | r9n4 | figs-metaphor | ἔκδικος Κύριος | 1 | the Lord is an avenger | This is a metaphorical title used of God throughout the Old Testament (See Judith 9:2 for a similar use in relational to sexual immorality). **avenger** literally means “judge from.” Alternate translation: “the Lord Jesus will avenge” or “the Lord Jesus will punish” or “the Lord Jesus will judge” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 309 | 1TH | 4 | 6 | jitm | figs-explicit | Κύριος | 1 | the Lord is an avenger | The assumed knowledge here is that **Lord** refers to “Jesus” (See [4:2](../04/02.md)). Alternate translation: “the Lord Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 310 | 1TH | 4 | 6 | d1ip | writing-background | καθὼς καὶ προείπαμεν ὑμῖν καὶ διεμαρτυράμεθα | 1 | we also forewarned you and testified | This is background information referring to the apostles earlier visit. The same root word translated **testified** here, is used twice in [2:10-12](../02/10.md). Alternate translation: “in the just the way we previously told and warned you” or “This will happen just we already told and solemnly warned you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 311 | 1TH | 4 | 6 | ix4p | figs-doublet | καθὼς καὶ προείπαμεν ὑμῖν καὶ διεμαρτυράμεθα | 1 | we also forewarned you and testified | **just as** combined with these two similar verbs, indicates that this is a doublet. If it is clearer in your language, you could combine the verbs to express this emphasis. Alternate translation: “as we also previously warned you” or “exactly as we also solemnly forewarned you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 312 | 1TH | 4 | 7 | qx6y | figs-abstractnouns | οὐ γὰρ ἐκάλεσεν ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς ἐπὶ ἀκαθαρσίᾳ, ἀλλ’ ἐν ἁγιασμῷ | 1 | God did not call us | This verse parallels [4:4](../04/04.md). If it is clearer in your language, you could change these abstract nouns into verb forms, the double negatives to positive statements, and the reorder the clauses. Alternate translation: “God called us, so we must purify and set ourselves apart like those who belong to God” or “We must not live impurely or act unholy, because God did not call us as his people for this purpose” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 313 | 1TH | 4 | 7 | v3np | figs-doublenegatives | οὐ γὰρ ἐκάλεσεν ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς ἐπὶ ἀκαθαρσίᾳ, ἀλλ’ ἐν ἁγιασμῷ | 1 | God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness | The double negative is used as a strong prohibition against sexual immorality [4:3](../04/03.md). Alternate translation: “Because God did not summon us for impurity, but into sanctification”. You could also state this in positive form. Alternate translation: “Because God called us to be pure and holy” or “Certainly God summoned us to pure and holy living” or “Indeed, God invited us to become pure and holy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]]) |
| 314 | 1TH | 4 | 7 | ie7g | ἐκάλεσεν | 1 | God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness | The word translated **called** can also refer to simple statement of fact or summarizing act. Alternate translation: “summons” or “beckons” or “invites” | |
| 315 | 1TH | 4 | 7 | q4tj | figs-exclusive | ἡμᾶς | 1 | God did not call us | Here “us” is inclusive, referring to the apostles, the Thessalonian Church, and by extension all Christians. Your language may require you to mark these forms. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) |
| 316 | 1TH | 4 | 7 | qli0 | ἐπὶ ἀκαθαρσίᾳ, ἀλλ’ ἐν ἁγιασμῷ | 1 | God did not call us | The prepositions translated **to** and **in** can refer to: (1) Disadvantage and advantage. Alternate translation: “for the sake of … for the sake of” (2) Purpose and rule. Alternate translation: “for the purpose of … to conform to” (3) Basis and association. Alternate translation: “on the basis of … in association with” (4) Destination. Alternate translation: “to lead to … leading to” (5) Means. Alternate translation: “through … through” | |
| 317 | 1TH | 4 | 8 | zdsc | figs-parallelism | τοιγαροῦν ὁ ἀθετῶν, οὐκ ἄνθρωπον ἀθετεῖ, ἀλλὰ τὸν Θεὸν, τὸν διδόντα τὸ Πνεῦμα αὐτοῦ τὸ Ἅγιον εἰς ὑμᾶς | 1 | the one rejecting this | This verse parallels some of the concepts found in [4:7](../04/07.md). The words translated **Therefore** and “For” have the same root. **the one rejecting** and **rejects** parallel “uncleanness.” **Holy Spirit** parallels “in holiness.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 318 | 1TH | 4 | 8 | mn5y | grammar-connect-words-phrases | τοιγαροῦν | 1 | the one rejecting this | This triply emphatic connecting word is meant to mark the end of this section prohibiting sexual immorality. Alternate translation: “Now pay close attention” or “So then, you must realize” or “It is absolutely certain” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 319 | 1TH | 4 | 8 | gzz8 | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | ὁ ἀθετῶν…ἀλλὰ τὸν Θεὸν, τὸν διδόντα | 1 | rejecting this rejects not man, but God | The words translated **the one rejecting this** and **who gives** indicate continual or repeated activity. God’s constant giving of the **Holy Spirit** is contrasted with person who constantly **rejects** the apostolic teaching. Alternate translation: “he who continues to reject … but actually God himself, who continues to give” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) |
| 320 | 1TH | 4 | 8 | su51 | figs-ellipsis | ὁ ἀθετῶν | 1 | rejecting this rejects not man, but God | The phrase translated **the one rejecting this** does not contain **this**, but the context implies that it should be included. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) |
| 321 | 1TH | 4 | 8 | mm3n | translate-textvariants | διδόντα | 1 | rejecting this rejects not man, but God | Many ancient manuscripts read “**who** gave” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) |
| 322 | 1TH | 4 | 8 | k7fr | translate-textvariants | ὑμᾶς | 1 | rejecting this rejects not man, but God | Many ancient manuscripts read “us”. This could either refer exclusively to the apostles or inclusively to all Christians. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) |
| 323 | 1TH | 4 | 8 | vrbs | figs-explicit | ἀλλὰ τὸν Θεὸν, τὸν διδόντα τὸ Πνεῦμα αὐτοῦ τὸ Ἅγιον | 1 | rejecting this rejects not man, but God | In [1:5,6](../01/05.md) we see that the **Holy Spirit** gives power and joy. Here, two implicit teachings are contained: the divinity of the Holy Spirit, and the doctrine of the procession of the Spirit from the Father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 324 | 1TH | 4 | 9 | uxn8 | figs-explicit | περὶ δὲ τῆς φιλαδελφίας, οὐ χρείαν ἔχετε γράφειν ὑμῖν | 1 | brotherly love | This connecting phrase implies that the apostles are answering a specific question previously asked by the Thessalonian Church. If it is clearer in your language, you could make this explicit. Alternate translation: “Now as it relates to your question about how fellow believers in Christ should show affection to each other …” or “Now, about your question referring to Christian relationships …” or “Now, about your question relating to Christian friendships” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 325 | 1TH | 4 | 9 | sgen | grammar-connect-logic-result | οὐ χρείαν ἔχετε γράφειν ὑμῖν, αὐτοὶ γὰρ ὑμεῖς θεοδίδακτοί ἐστε, εἰς τὸ ἀγαπᾶν ἀλλήλους | 1 | brotherly love | If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “because God himself teaches you that you should love each other, you do not need us to write to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 326 | 1TH | 4 | 9 | l1n7 | figs-hyperbole | οὐ χρείαν…ὑμεῖς θεοδίδακτοί ἐστε | 1 | brotherly love | The apostles use hyperbolic phrases **no need** and “**you yourselves** are those **taught by God**” to express how successfully the Thessalonian Church is practicing Christian love. “(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) |
| 327 | 1TH | 4 | 9 | xxg8 | translate-textvariants | ἔχετε | 1 | brotherly love | Some ancient manuscripts read “we were having.” Other manuscripts read “we are having.” Alternate translation: “we do not need to write to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) |
| 328 | 1TH | 4 | 9 | j7z0 | figs-metaphor | αὐτοὶ γὰρ ὑμεῖς θεοδίδακτοί ἐστε, εἰς τὸ ἀγαπᾶν ἀλλήλους | 1 | brotherly love | This phrase could also be using a metaphor, speaking as if the Thessalonian Church has God himself physically present as their teacher. Alternate translation: “God is the one who teaches you how to love each other” or “God himself teaches you that you must love one another” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 329 | 1TH | 4 | 9 | ctiq | grammar-connect-logic-result | αὐτοὶ γὰρ ὑμεῖς θεοδίδακτοί ἐστε, εἰς τὸ ἀγαπᾶν ἀλλήλους | 1 | brotherly love | This clause could indicate: (1) Content of God’s teaching. Alternate translation: “Because it is God himself who teaches you: love each other” (2) Manner. Alternate translation: “Indeed, God is the one who teaches you how to love each other” (3) Purpose/Result. Alternate translation: “the reason why God teaches you is so that you would love each other” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 330 | 1TH | 4 | 10 | e3e0 | writing-background | καὶ γὰρ ποιεῖτε αὐτὸ εἰς πάντας τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς, τοὺς ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ Μακεδονίᾳ | 1 | you do this to all the brothers who are in all Macedonia | This is background reference that shows another aspect of how the Thessalonian Church “became an example” to the churches in Macedonia and Achaia (See [1:7-8](../01/07.md)). Alternate translation: “Certainly, you make a practice of showing love to all your fellow believers in Christ throughout the region of Macedonia” or “In fact, you are doing just that, to all the fellow Christians throughout the province of Macedonia” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 331 | 1TH | 4 | 10 | dec9 | grammar-connect-words-phrases | καὶ γὰρ | 1 | you do this to all the brothers who are in all Macedonia | These connecting words indicate that what follows in an example of how the Thessalonian Church shows Christian love. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 332 | 1TH | 4 | 10 | hg7a | figs-rpronouns | αὐτὸ | 1 | you do this to all the brothers who are in all Macedonia | This reflexive pronoun **this** refers back to the phrase “to love” [4:9](../04/09.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns]]) |
| 333 | 1TH | 4 | 10 | jcg3 | figs-idiom | ἀδελφοὺς | 1 | brothers | Throughout this letter, **brothers** is an idiom meaning “fellow Christians” or “fellow believers in Christ” [4:1](../04/01.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 334 | 1TH | 4 | 10 | k81f | figs-gendernotations | ἀδελφοὺς | 1 | brothers | Here, the idiom **brothers** includes females. If your language does not have this idiom, you can use a gender inclusive term that refers to male and female. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” or “spiritual brothers and sisters” or “fellow believers in Christ” or “fellow believers in God” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) |
| 335 | 1TH | 4 | 10 | gxfa | figs-litany | παρακαλοῦμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, περισσεύειν μᾶλλον | 1 | brothers | This is the beginning of a list of five verb forms that continues into [4:11](../04/11.md), that the apostles **exhort** the Thessalonian Church to do. Alternate translation: “Now, fellow believers in Christ, we are urging you: to excel more and more,” or “But, fellow Christians, we are encouraging you: to surpass even more,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litany]]) |
| 336 | 1TH | 4 | 10 | u3fl | figs-ellipsis | περισσεύειν | 1 | abound | Here, **abound** refers back to “love one another” in [4:9](../04/09.md) in a relative ellipsis. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) |
| 337 | 1TH | 4 | 11 | h2df | figs-metaphor | καὶ φιλοτιμεῖσθαι, ἡσυχάζειν καὶ πράσσειν τὰ ἴδια, καὶ ἐργάζεσθαι ταῖς ἰδίαις χερσὶν ὑμῶν | 1 | to strive | The combination of these verbs could be a metaphor for peaceful communal living. If it is clearer in your language, you could use an expression that explains this metaphor for peaceful communal living. Alternate translation: “and seek to lovingly honor others: by living quietly and tending to your own business and focusing on doing your own work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 338 | 1TH | 4 | 11 | d2fg | figs-hendiadys | καὶ φιλοτιμεῖσθαι, ἡσυχάζειν | 1 | to strive | This phrase continues the litany of exhortations from the apostles. Here, **and to strive to live quietly** could: (1) Express separate ideas. Alternate translation: “and seek to lovingly honor others, to live quietly” (2) Complement each other. Alternate translation: “and to aspire to live quietly” or “and to show ambition to honor others by living silently” or “to aim to be still” (3) Function as hendiadys. Alternate translation: “and to quietly seek to lovingly honor others” or “and to silently seek to lovingly honor others” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]]) |
| 339 | 1TH | 4 | 11 | j4c7 | figs-explicit | πράσσειν τὰ ἴδια | 1 | to live quietly | Here, **to perform your own things** implicitly refers to self-sacrificial thoughts and actions. The surrounding verbs make this explicit. Alternate translation: “to focus on your own tasks” or “to focus on your own business” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 340 | 1TH | 4 | 11 | jmt9 | figs-idiom | ἐργάζεσθαι ταῖς ἰδίαις χερσὶν ὑμῶν | 1 | to perform your own things | **to work with your own hands** is an idiom for “earning a living.” Alternate translation: “to work hard to earn what you need” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 341 | 1TH | 4 | 11 | bz8s | figs-distinguish | καθὼς ὑμῖν παρηγγείλαμεν | 1 | to work with your own hands | This phrase and the following verse signal the end of this larger section of teaching (See [4:1,2](../04/02.md) for the same wording). Here, the apostles are reminding the Thessalonian Church of what they already taught them, by way of summary. It also equates that what God taught the Thessalonian Church is the same thing as what the apostles teach [4:9](../04/09.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]]) |
| 342 | 1TH | 4 | 12 | hp6g | figs-idiom | περιπατῆτε εὐσχημόνως | 1 | you may walk properly | Here, **walk** is the common biblical idiom that means “live.” The word translated **properly** literally means “well-formed.” It can also mean “appropriately, decently, modestly, nobly.” Alternate translation: “you would live appropriately” or “you would live nobly” or “you would behave modestly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 343 | 1TH | 4 | 12 | wj25 | grammar-connect-logic-goal | ἵνα περιπατῆτε | 1 | you may walk properly | **so that you may walk** could be a purpose clause. Alternate translation: “so that you live” or “in order that you live” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]]) |
| 344 | 1TH | 4 | 12 | oo9l | grammar-connect-logic-result | ἵνα περιπατῆτε εὐσχημόνως | 1 | you may walk properly | **so that you may walk** could be a result clause. Alternate translation: “then you will live”. It is possible that this phrase refers to both purpose and result. If there is a way to indicate this in your language, you could express this dual meaning. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 345 | 1TH | 4 | 12 | k59r | figs-metaphor | πρὸς τοὺς ἔξω | 1 | before those outside | **those outside** is a metaphor for “non-Christians.” Alternate translation: “in the presence of non-Christians” or “in front of unbelievers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 346 | 1TH | 4 | 12 | uwsf | figs-distinguish | καὶ μηδενὸς χρείαν ἔχητε | 1 | before those outside | This clause signals the end of the shorter section of teaching, by using the same phrase found in [4:9](../04/09.md). Here, the apostles are reminding the Thessalonian Church of what they already taught them about “brotherly love.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]]) |
| 347 | 1TH | 4 | 12 | nait | grammar-connect-logic-result | καὶ μηδενὸς χρείαν ἔχητε | 1 | before those outside | This phrase also continues the idea of self-sufficiency found in verse 11, by using a result clause. It is possible that this phrase refers to both purpose and result. If there is a way to indicate this in your language, you could express this dual meaning. Alternate translation: “and so that you would not need anything” or “then you will be self-sufficient” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 348 | 1TH | 4 | 13 | vi2y | grammar-connect-words-phrases | δὲ | 1 | General Information: | **Now** is a connecting word that signals the beginning of an extended section [4:13-5:11](..04/13/.md) about the Second Coming of Christ (See chapter and book introduction)(See also 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; 2:3-12). If our language has a special section marker, you could use it here. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 349 | 1TH | 4 | 13 | lan8 | figs-doublenegatives | οὐ θέλομεν δὲ ὑμᾶς ἀγνοεῖν | 1 | General Information: | If it is clearer in your language, you could change this double negative or litotes to a positive form. Alternate translation: “But, we want you to know for certain” or “Now, we desire to clarify” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]]) |
| 350 | 1TH | 4 | 13 | mmy0 | figs-idiom | ἀδελφοί | 1 | General Information: | Throughout this letter, **brothers** is an idiom meaning “fellow Christians” or “fellow believers in Christ” [4:10](../04/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 351 | 1TH | 4 | 13 | wt7l | figs-gendernotations | ἀδελφοί | 1 | brothers | Here, the idiom **brothers** includes females. If your language does not have this idiom, you can use a gender inclusive term that refers to male and female. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” or “spiritual brothers and sisters” or “fellow believers in Christ” or “fellow believers in God” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) |
| 352 | 1TH | 4 | 13 | qt5b | figs-explicit | περὶ | 1 | you may not grieve | Here, **about** implies that the apostles are answering another specific question previously asked by the Thessalonian Church (See [4:9](../04/09.md)). If it is clearer in your language, you could make this explicit. Alternate translation: “as it relates to your question about” or “concerning your question about” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 353 | 1TH | 4 | 13 | j68e | figs-euphemism | τῶν κοιμωμένων | 1 | General Information: | In the biblical usage, **fallen asleep** often refers to physical death. It could indicate an idiom or euphemism. The verb form indicates that this is a present condition “are sleeping.” If you have a cultural idiom or euphemism for representing death as “sleeping”, you could use it here. Alternate translation: “those who are already dead” or “those who have died” or “those who have been laid to rest” or “those who continue to die” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]]) |
| 354 | 1TH | 4 | 13 | wzr3 | translate-textvariants | κοιμωμένων | 1 | General Information: | Many ancient manuscripts read “have fallen asleep (and remain asleep)” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) |
| 355 | 1TH | 4 | 13 | ocjp | grammar-connect-logic-goal | ἵνα μὴ λυπῆσθε | 1 | brothers | Here, **so that you may not grieve** is a purpose clause that informs how the Thessalonian Church should respond to **those who are asleep**. Alternate translation: “so that you would not sorrow” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]]) |
| 356 | 1TH | 4 | 13 | r9f8 | figs-explicit | καθὼς καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ | 1 | so that you may not grieve just as also the rest | Here, it is assumed that **the rest** are non-Christians. If it is clearer in your language, you could make this explicit. Alternate translation: “in the same way as the rest of humanity” or “like the rest of people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 357 | 1TH | 4 | 13 | f9eq | figs-explicit | οἱ μὴ ἔχοντες ἐλπίδα | 1 | so that you may not grieve just as also the rest | Here, it is assumed that **hope** refers to resurrection salvation (See [1:3; 2:19; 4:16; 5:8](../01/03.md)), and was previously associated with the Second Coming of Christ in [2:19](../02/19.md). Alternate translation: “who possess no hope of life after death” or “who possess no confidence of life after death” or “who possess no assurance of life after death” or “who do not have confidence in the future promise” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 358 | 1TH | 4 | 14 | j09o | grammar-connect-condition-fact | εἰ γὰρ πιστεύομεν ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἀπέθανεν καὶ ἀνέστη | 1 | if we believe | This clause frames the apostles’ argument as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but they actually mean that it is true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might misunderstand and think what the apostles are saying is not certain, then you can translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “We certainly believe that Jesus died and resurrected” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-fact]]) |
| 359 | 1TH | 4 | 14 | hmw4 | figs-explicit | Ἰησοῦς ἀπέθανεν καὶ ἀνέστη | 1 | if we believe | Here, it is assumed that the Thessalonian Church knows that**Jesus died and rose again** is the main content of the gospel message. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 360 | 1TH | 4 | 14 | ybz6 | figs-exclusive | πιστεύομεν | 1 | if we believe | Though, **we believe** could be inclusive of the Thessalonian church (and by extension all Christians), it is most likely exclusive, referring to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. The previous use in [4:11](../04/11.md) and subsequent uses (See “we say” in [4:15](../04/15.md)) are clearly referring to the apostles. Here, it mostly likely is a reference to their authoritative teaching. Your language may require you to mark these forms. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) |
| 361 | 1TH | 4 | 14 | kmk2 | grammar-connect-logic-result | οὕτως καὶ ὁ Θεὸς | 1 | rose again | This phrase could express at least two things: (1) Manner. Alternate translation: “this is the way God” or “this is how God” (2) Result. Alternate translation: “then God will also” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 362 | 1TH | 4 | 14 | m1fy | figs-possession | καὶ ὁ Θεὸς τοὺς κοιμηθέντας διὰ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἄξει σὺν αὐτῷ | 1 | rose again | Here, **through Jesus** could refer to: (1) those who are only temporarily dead through/associated with/in union with Jesus’ resurrection power. Alternate translation: “God … those who through Jesus are asleep” or “God … those who are asleep in Jesus” (2) it is through Jesus that God will bring them back again. Alternate translation: “through Jesus, God will also bring those who sleep along with Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) |
| 363 | 1TH | 4 | 14 | b3gs | figs-explicit | ὁ Θεὸς…τοῦ Ἰησοῦ | 1 | rose again | The assumed knowledge is that **God** is equated with Father, and he is one who sends the Son **Jesus** back to earth at the Second Coming. If it would be clearer in your language, you could make this distinction explicit. Alternate translation: “God the Father … his Son Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 364 | 1TH | 4 | 14 | tjqj | figs-rpronouns | αὐτῷ | 1 | rose again | This is a reflexive pronoun that refers to Jesus. If it would be clearer in your language, you could make this explicit. Alternate translation: “Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns]]) |
| 365 | 1TH | 4 | 15 | vvda | grammar-connect-words-phrases | τοῦτο γὰρ ὑμῖν λέγομεν ἐν λόγῳ Κυρίου | 1 | by the word of the Lord | This clause indicates a strong emphasis in form and content (See [1:8](../01/08.md) for **the word of the Lord**). Alternate translation: “Certainly, what we now say to you is the Lord’s message” or “In fact, what we are saying is from the Lord himself” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 366 | 1TH | 4 | 15 | ni3m | figs-metonymy | ἐν λόγῳ Κυρίου | 1 | by the word of the Lord | Here, **word** is a metonym for “message.” It could refer to: (1) means of the message. Alternate translation: “with the Lord’s message” (2) authority of the message. “with the authorization of the Lord” or “is the Lord’s message” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 367 | 1TH | 4 | 15 | gbe1 | grammar-connect-words-phrases | ὅτι | 1 | by the word of the Lord | This connecting word indicates that what follows is the content of **the word of the Lord**. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 368 | 1TH | 4 | 15 | fdwk | figs-exclusive | ἡμεῖς οἱ ζῶντες | 1 | by the word of the Lord | Though, **we who are alive** could be exclusive of the apostles (See note at [4:14](../04/14.md)), the universal content of the following section, implies that this is inclusive of all Christians. Your language may require you to mark these forms. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) |
| 369 | 1TH | 4 | 15 | hdlr | figs-distinguish | οἱ περιλειπόμενοι | 1 | by the word of the Lord | The relative clause **who are left behind** refers to **we who are alive**. Alternate translation: “who survive” or “who are remain around” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]]) |
| 370 | 1TH | 4 | 15 | b786 | figs-idiom | εἰς τὴν παρουσίαν τοῦ Κυρίου | 1 | at the coming of the Lord | Here, the word translated **coming** is a well-known idiom in 1-2 Thessalonians for the Second Coming of Christ [3:13](../03/13.md) or the “Day of the Lord” [5:2](../05/02.md). It literally means, “presence” or “being with or near.” Here, **coming** expresses “presence,” so the emphasis is on the lasting presence of the Lord Jesus (see also Matthew 24). The definite article **the** indicates either the one and only Coming of the Lord, or the well-known Coming of the Lord. The word translated **until** could indicate: (1) Duration. Alternate translation: “until the Lord returns” or “until the second coming of the Lord” (2) Event. Alternate translation: “at the coming of our Lord Jesus” or “at the arrival of the Lord Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 371 | 1TH | 4 | 15 | byit | figs-explicit | τοῦ Κυρίου | 1 | at the coming of the Lord | It is assumed that the **Lord** refers to Jesus (See [4:1](../04/01.md)). If it is clearer in your language, you could make this explicit. Alternate translation: “the Lord Jesus” or “our Lord Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 372 | 1TH | 4 | 15 | k9n9 | translate-textvariants | τοῦ Κυρίου | 1 | at the coming of the Lord | One important ancient manuscript reads “of Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) |
| 373 | 1TH | 4 | 15 | xd2y | figs-doublenegatives | οὐ μὴ φθάσωμεν τοὺς κοιμηθέντας | 1 | by the word of the Lord | This double negative **certainly not** is an idiom for “never.” Alternate translation: “will never precede those who are dead” or “can never overtake those already dead” or “are not permitted to come before those asleep in the Lord”. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]]) |
| 374 | 1TH | 4 | 16 | ah7p | grammar-connect-words-phrases | ὅτι | 1 | the Lord himself … will descend | **For** marks the beginning of the sequence of events related to the Second Coming. The word then indicates that the events the story will now relate came after the event it has just described. Alternately translation: “Certainly” or “Because” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 375 | 1TH | 4 | 16 | yk2q | figs-litany | ὅτι αὐτὸς ὁ Κύριος ἐν κελεύσματι, ἐν φωνῇ ἀρχαγγέλου, καὶ ἐν σάλπιγγι Θεοῦ, καταβήσεται ἀπ’ οὐρανοῦ; καὶ οἱ νεκροὶ ἐν Χριστῷ ἀναστήσονται πρῶτον, | 1 | the Lord himself … will descend | The list of the events of the Second Coming continues through verse 17. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litany]]) |
| 376 | 1TH | 4 | 16 | c26b | grammar-connect-time-simultaneous | ὅτι αὐτὸς ὁ Κύριος ἐν κελεύσματι, ἐν φωνῇ ἀρχαγγέλου, καὶ ἐν σάλπιγγι Θεοῦ, καταβήσεται ἀπ’ οὐρανοῦ | 1 | the Lord himself … will descend | These things happen at the same time **the Lord** descends. The text emphasizes the order of events by listing them prior to the main verb. If it is clearer in your language, you could place the main verb before the accompanying actions. Alternate translation: “Certainly, the Lord Jesus himself will come down from heaven: with a commanding shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with God’s trumpet” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]]) |
| 377 | 1TH | 4 | 16 | ygfp | figs-rpronouns | αὐτὸς ὁ Κύριος | 1 | the Lord himself … will descend | This reflexive noun **himself** emphasizes that “with him” in [4:14](../04/14.md) refers to **the Lord** Jesus. Alternate translation: “the Lord Jesus himself” or “it is the Lord Jesus who” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns]]) |
| 378 | 1TH | 4 | 16 | z9ka | ἀρχαγγέλου | 1 | of the archangel | See Jude 9. | |
| 379 | 1TH | 4 | 16 | pjrh | figs-parallelism | καταβήσεται ἀπ’ οὐρανοῦ; καὶ οἱ νεκροὶ ἐν Χριστῷ ἀναστήσονται πρῶτον | 1 | the Lord himself … will descend | The first main verb **descend** is listed after the events that describe it. This is to show a contrasting parallelism with the second verb **rise**. After the Lord Jesus comes down form heaven, the dead Christians will resurrect from the earth. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 380 | 1TH | 4 | 16 | k7sg | grammar-connect-time-sequential | καὶ | 2 | the Lord himself … will descend | Here, the word translated **and** indicates sequence. If it is clearer in your language, you could make this explicit. Alternate translation: “then next” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]]) |
| 381 | 1TH | 4 | 16 | ni7n | figs-parallelism | οἱ νεκροὶ ἐν Χριστῷ | 1 | the dead in Christ will rise first | This is a parallel phrase to “those who are asleep through Jesus” in [4:14](../04/14.md). Alternate translation: “those who died in union with Christ” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 382 | 1TH | 4 | 16 | dr89 | figs-explicit | οἱ νεκροὶ ἐν Χριστῷ ἀναστήσονται πρῶτον | 1 | the dead in Christ will rise first | **the dead in Christ** are the same as “the sleepers” in [4:13–15](../04/13.md). The verb translated “rise” refers to this section’s main theme of resurrection. Alternate translation: “Christians who have already died will be the first to resurrect” or “those who died united with Christ will resurrect first” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 383 | 1TH | 4 | 16 | gnp0 | figs-parallelism | οἱ νεκροὶ ἐν Χριστῷ ἀναστήσονται πρῶτον | 1 | the dead in Christ will rise first | This clause parallels and explains, “may not certainly go before those who have fallen asleep” [4:15](../04/15/md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 384 | 1TH | 4 | 16 | wboi | figs-parallelism | ἐν Χριστῷ | 1 | the dead in Christ will rise first | **in Christ** is another reference to the important concept of union with Christ or God (See [2:14](../02/14.md)). This is also a parallel phrase to “those who are asleep through Jesus” in [4:14](../04/14.md). Alternate translation: “united to Christ” or “in union with Christ” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 385 | 1TH | 4 | 16 | offz | translate-textvariants | πρῶτον | 1 | the dead in Christ will rise first | Some ancient manuscripts read “**the first** ones” referring to **the dead**, not the timing of resurrection. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) |
| 386 | 1TH | 4 | 17 | ay13 | figs-parallelism | ἡμεῖς οἱ ζῶντες, οἱ περιλειπόμενοι | 1 | we who are alive | **who are alive, who are left behind** is a parallel reference to [4:15](../04/15.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 387 | 1TH | 4 | 17 | l5l1 | figs-exclusive | ἡμεῖς οἱ ζῶντες | 1 | we who are alive | Though, **we who are alive** could be exclusive of the apostles (See note for the same phrase at [4:15](../04/15.md)), the universal content of this section, implies that all Christians are in view. It also implies that the apostles assumed Second Coming would happen in their lifetime. Your language may require you to mark these forms(See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) |
| 388 | 1TH | 4 | 17 | otiq | grammar-connect-time-simultaneous | ἅμα σὺν αὐτοῖς | 1 | we who are alive | **together with them** could indicate three things: (1) Simultaneous event. Alternate translation: “with them at the same time” (2) Association. Alternate translation: “along with them” (3) Both event and association. Alternate translation: “at the same time together with them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]]) |
| 389 | 1TH | 4 | 17 | wvi8 | writing-pronouns | αὐτοῖς | 1 | with them | The word **them** refers to the resurrected dead who are united to Christ. Alternate translation: “the resurrected dead who are united to Christ” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]]) |
| 390 | 1TH | 4 | 17 | m3gb | writing-background | ἁρπαγησόμεθα ἐν νεφέλαις εἰς ἀπάντησιν τοῦ Κυρίου εἰς ἀέρα | 1 | with them | This phrase indicates a reference to the words of the angels at Jesus’ Ascension in Acts 1:9-11, as a fulfillment of the prophecy of Daniel 7:13-14. Alternate translation: “we will be snatched up on clouds to encounter the Lord Jesus in the air” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 391 | 1TH | 4 | 17 | o7lj | grammar-connect-logic-goal | εἰς ἀπάντησιν | 1 | with them | Here, the word translated **to meet** indicates purpose, and a positive encounter and/or royal escort. Alternate translation: “as a royal escort of” or “for a meeting with” or “to encounter” (See Exodus 19:17 where this same root word is used when God’s people encounter God, and Matthew 25:6 where this word is used in the same context of the Second Coming with bridal escorts). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]]) |
| 392 | 1TH | 4 | 17 | ukh1 | writing-symlanguage | ἐν νεφέλαις…εἰς ἀέρα | 1 | with them | Here, **clouds … air** could be considered symbolic language representing God’s presence and the spiritual realm. (See Exodus 19; Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 17; 21; Ephesians 2:2). Alternate translation: “ (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguage]]) |
| 393 | 1TH | 4 | 17 | ti69 | writing-endofstory | καὶ οὕτως πάντοτε σὺν Κυρίῳ ἐσόμεθα | 1 | will be caught up … in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air | This clause is meant to signal the end of the events related to the Second Coming. You can use the natural form in your language for expressing the conclusion of a story. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstory]]) |
| 394 | 1TH | 4 | 17 | ouvu | grammar-connect-logic-result | καὶ οὕτως πάντοτε σὺν Κυρίῳ ἐσόμεθα | 1 | will be caught up … in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air | This clause also indicates the result of the meeting with **the Lord**. Alternate translation: “and then we will always be together with the Lord Jesus” or “this is the how we will be with the Lord Jesus forever” or “as a result, we will always be together with the Lord” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 395 | 1TH | 4 | 17 | k6qc | figs-parallelism | σὺν Κυρίῳ | 1 | will be caught up … in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air | Here, **with the Lord** parallels **together with them** to express union with Christ as communion with his people. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 396 | 1TH | 4 | 17 | pdqi | translate-textvariants | σὺν | 2 | will be caught up … in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air | One important ancient manuscript reads “united to” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) |
| 397 | 1TH | 4 | 18 | gt91 | grammar-connect-logic-result | ὥστε παρακαλεῖτε | 1 | will be caught up … in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air | This is a result clause. Alternate translation: “because of this, you should comfort” or “as a result, you can bring comfort to” or “so then, you ought to encourage” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]] |
| 398 | 1TH | 4 | 18 | y7zi | figs-imperative | παρακαλεῖτε | 1 | will be caught up … in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air | This clause also could express an appeal or polite command. Alternate translation: “you should encourage” or “you must encourage” or “keep comforting” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative]]) |
| 399 | 1TH | 4 | 18 | aya5 | writing-pronouns | ἀλλήλους | 1 | will be caught up … in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air | This pronoun indicates association among the Thessalonian Church. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could make it explicit. Alternate translation: “the fellow member of your church” or “your fellow Thessalonian Christian” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]]) |
| 400 | 1TH | 4 | 18 | xsus | figs-metonymy | ἐν τοῖς λόγοις τούτοις | 1 | will be caught up … in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air | **with these words** is a reference to “and in this way we will always be with the Lord” in [4:17](../04/17.md) or a metonymy for all that has been said in [4:13-17](../04/13.md). Alternate translation: (See UST) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 401 | 1TH | 5 | intro | ay3d | 0 | # 1 Thessalonians 5 General Notes<br><br>## Outline of 1 Thessalonians 5<br><br>1. Apostolic Teachings on the Second Coming of Christ (5:1-10)<br>* Timing (5:1-3)<br>* Preparation (5:4-8)<br>* God’s plan (5:9-10)<br>2. Final Instructions (5:11-28)<br>* Final Commands (5:11-22)<br>* Final Prayer (5:23-24)<br>* Final Appeals (5:25-27)<br>* Final blessing (5:25-27)<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>Paul concludes his letter in a way that was typical of letters in the ancient Near East.<br><br>## “We” and “you”<br><br>In this letter, the words **we** and **our** refer to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, unless otherwise noted. Throughout the letter, **we** and **our** is used to convey that all three apostles are in agreement with the letter.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Idiom<br><br>#### Day of the Lord<br><br>The “day of the Lord” is an idiom for the time of final salvation for God’s people final judgment for God’s enemies. “Day” is metaphorical for a time period. Thus, the exact time of the coming “day of the Lord” will be a surprise to the world. The simile “like a thief in the night” refers this surprise timing. Because of this, Christians must prepare for the coming of the Lord by living with faith, hope and love [5:8](../05/08.md) toward God and others. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/dayofthelord]]<br><br>### Simile<br><br>#### Like a Thief<br><br>The simile “like a thief in the night” refers this surprise timing. Because of this, Christians must prepare for the coming of the Lord by living with faith, hope and love [5:8](../05/08.md) toward God and others. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])<br><br>### Metaphor<br><br>#### Day and Night, Light and Darkness<br><br>The apostles use many metaphors throughout [5:1-11](../05/1.md). “Night,” “darkness,” “drunk,” “sleep” are all metaphors about spiritual ignorance or lack of readiness. “Day,” “light,” “sober,” “watch” are all metaphors about spiritual awareness and readiness.<br><br>#### Armor<br><br>Here, the apostles use a military metaphor to urge the Thessalonian Church to be ready for Christ’s Second Coming at “the day of the Lord.” Just as soldiers must always be armed and ready to fight, so the Christian must live prepared for Christ’s return. Faithfulness and love are compared to a breastplate, and the hope of salvation is likened to a helmet [5:8](../05/08.md).<br><br>#### Prophecy<br><br>Those who “despise prophecies” in [5:20](../05/20.md) are said to “quench the Spirit.” This is a metaphor for trying to hinder the Holy Spirit’s guidance in the Church. All prophecies are to be examined and tested to determine if they adhere to apostolic teaching [5:21](../05/21.md). All prophecies that are proven to agree with apostolic teaching, are to be retained as good [5:21-22](../05/21/.md).<br><br>### Submission to Christian Leadership<br><br>The apostles link the well-being and spiritual safety of the Thessalonian Church to obedience to their leaders. Christian leaders are to be given recognition and loving respect by the church [5:12-13](../05/12.md).<br><br>### Holy Kiss<br><br>This refers to the ancient practice of exchanging a kiss of peace on the cheek during the liturgy. Different cultures have different standards of appropriate physical contact. These different cultural standards may make translating this passage difficult. Translators will have to consider the most appropriate way to communicate this sensitive issue [5:26](../05/26.md). | |||
| 402 | 1TH | 5 | 1 | i2vm | figs-explicit | περὶ δὲ | 1 | General Information: | **Now concerning** signals a change in subject (See [4:9](../04/09.md)). Here, the timing of and preparation for the Second Coming is in view. This phrase implies that the apostles are answering another specific question previously asked by the Thessalonian Church. If it could be misunderstood in your language, you could make this explicit. Alternate translation: “Now as it relates to your question about” or “Now, about your question referring to” or “Now, about your question relating to” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 403 | 1TH | 5 | 1 | a8f3 | figs-idiom | τῶν χρόνων καὶ τῶν καιρῶν | 1 | General Information: | Here, **the times and the seasons** is an idiom referring to: (1) a specific period in time. Alternate translation: “the appointed time of Jesus’ return” or “the fixed time when Jesus returns” (See Acts 1:7 for this exact phrase referring to the same thing). (2) a specific amount of time. Alternate translation: “how long it will take for the Lord Jesus to return” or “when the Lord Jesus will return” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 404 | 1TH | 5 | 1 | z1s6 | figs-idiom | ἀδελφοί | 1 | Connecting Statement: | Throughout this letter, **brothers** is an idiom meaning “fellow Christians” or “fellow believers in Christ” [4:13](../04/13.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 405 | 1TH | 5 | 1 | pjf6 | figs-gendernotations | ἀδελφοί | 1 | Connecting Statement: | Here, the idiom **brothers** includes females. If your language does not have this idiom, you can use a gender inclusive term that refers to male and female. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” or “spiritual brothers and sisters” or “fellow believers in Christ” or “fellow believers in God” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) |
| 406 | 1TH | 5 | 1 | bcsa | figs-activepassive | οὐ χρείαν ἔχετε ὑμῖν γράφεσθαι | 1 | General Information: | If you have no passive form in your language, you could make it active (See this same phrase in [4:9](../04/09.md)). Alternate translation: “we do not need to write to you” or “you have no need for us to write it for you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 407 | 1TH | 5 | 1 | caue | figs-you | ἔχετε | 1 | General Information: | The word **you** is plural and refers to the believers in the Thessalonian Church. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]]) |
| 408 | 1TH | 5 | 2 | dqgk | figs-rpronouns | αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀκριβῶς οἴδατε | 1 | perfectly well | The words **For**, **yourselves**, and **perfectly** emphasize the how clearly the Thessalonian Church should understand when and how the Lord’s Second Coming will happen. Alternate translation: “Certainly you are well aware” or “Because you understand perfectly well” or “Indeed, you know precisely” or “In fact, you recognize accurately” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns]]) |
| 409 | 1TH | 5 | 2 | yvg3 | figs-simile | αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀκριβῶς οἴδατε ὅτι ἡμέρα Κυρίου, ὡς κλέπτης ἐν νυκτὶ οὕτως ἔρχεται | 1 | perfectly well | This verse begins an extended list of contrasting similes that continues through [5:8](./05/08.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) |
| 410 | 1TH | 5 | 2 | mcq9 | grammar-connect-logic-result | γὰρ | 1 | perfectly well | This connecting word gives the reason why the Thessalonian Church has no need to have anything written to them about the timing and manner of the Lord’s Second Coming. Alternate translation: “Because” or “Certainly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 411 | 1TH | 5 | 2 | tu9t | figs-idiom | ἡμέρα Κυρίου | 1 | in this manner—like a thief in the night | This is an idiom that refers to the Old Testament concept of the time of God’s final judgment. This passage makes it clear that **the day of the Lord** is synonymous with “the coming of the Lord” in [2:15](../02/15.md). (See also Acts 2:20; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 412 | 1TH | 5 | 2 | tmj3 | figs-simile | ὡς κλέπτης ἐν νυκτὶ οὕτως ἔρχεται | 1 | in this manner—like a thief in the night | This simile expresses the unknown timing and exact manner, but certain reality of the Second Coming of the Lord. Alternate translation: “is coming as unexpectedly as a robber at night” or “is going to come so surprisingly” or “is going to happen like this–all of a sudden” (See UST) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) |
| 413 | 1TH | 5 | 3 | p1wi | figs-hypo | ὅταν λέγωσιν, εἰρήνη καὶ ἀσφάλεια | 1 | When they may say | This clause continues the theme of unexpected timing of the Lord’s Coming, by using a hypothetical situation to express the suddenness of the “the day of the Lord.” Alternate translation: “Whenever they might say, ‘Everything is safe and sound,’” or “At a time when people are saying, ‘All is well,’” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]]) |
| 414 | 1TH | 5 | 3 | mjvd | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | τότε | 1 | When they may say | This verse expresses a contrast to what is expected. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a contrast. Alternate translation: “but then” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) |
| 415 | 1TH | 5 | 3 | ne9n | figs-parallelism | τότε αἰφνίδιος αὐτοῖς ἐφίσταται ὄλεθρος | 1 | then sudden destruction | **sudden destruction** parallels the idea of terror that accompanies a sudden attack by “a thief in the night” [5:2](../05/02.md). Alternate translation: “right then immediate destruction is looming over them” or “at that moment unseen destruction hovers over them” or “then swift destruction attacks” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 416 | 1TH | 5 | 3 | f1xr | figs-simile | ὥσπερ ἡ ὠδὶν τῇ ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσῃ; καὶ οὐ μὴ ἐκφύγωσιν | 1 | like birth pains to the one having in the womb | **like birth pains** is a simile of the suddenness and inescapable nature of God’s judgment. Alternate translation: “just as suddenly as labor pains seize a pregnant woman–they can never escape this destruction” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) |
| 417 | 1TH | 5 | 3 | sde2 | figs-parallelism | ὥσπερ ἡ ὠδὶν τῇ ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσῃ; καὶ οὐ μὴ ἐκφύγωσιν | 1 | like birth pains to the one having in the womb | **like birth pains** parallels **sudden**, and **destruction** parallels **certainly not escape**. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 418 | 1TH | 5 | 4 | sk6v | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | ὑμεῖς δέ | 1 | you, brothers | **But you** begins a clause that contrasts the destruction of those appointed “to wrath” (See [5:9](../05/09.md)) with the Thessalonian Church who are **not in darkness**. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) |
| 419 | 1TH | 5 | 4 | rr9j | ἀδελφοί | 1 | you, brothers | Throughout this letter, **brothers** is an idiom meaning “fellow Christians” or “fellow believers in Christ” [5:1](../05/01.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) | |
| 420 | 1TH | 5 | 4 | nr5f | figs-gendernotations | ἀδελφοί | 1 | you, brothers | Here, the idiom **brothers** includes females. If your language does not have this idiom, you can use a gender inclusive term that refers to male and female. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” or “spiritual brothers and sisters” or “fellow believers in Christ” or “fellow believers in God” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) |
| 421 | 1TH | 5 | 4 | b6lv | figs-metaphor | οὐκ ἐστὲ ἐν σκότει | 1 | are not in darkness | Here **in darkness** is a metaphor for “unaware” or “unprepared” or “living in sin (like a thief)” (See [4:6-8](../0406.md)). Alternate translation: “are not unaware” or “are not unprepared” or “are not living in sin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 422 | 1TH | 5 | 4 | elp9 | grammar-connect-logic-result | ἵνα ἡ ἡμέρα ὑμᾶς ὡς κλέπτας καταλάβῃ | 1 | so that the day might overtake you like a thief | This is a result clause. Alternate translation: “causing you to be like people surprised by a robber. You are ready for the time when he returns” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 423 | 1TH | 5 | 4 | otz2 | figs-ellipsis | ἡ ἡμέρα | 1 | For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day | Here, **the day** is a relative ellipsis referring to the “**the day** of the Lord.” If it would be misunderstood in your language, you can make it clear. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) |
| 424 | 1TH | 5 | 5 | ddce | figs-doublet | πάντες γὰρ ὑμεῖς υἱοὶ φωτός ἐστε, καὶ υἱοὶ ἡμέρας. οὐκ ἐσμὲν νυκτὸς οὐδὲ σκότους | 1 | For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day | Here, **sons of the light** means the same thing as **sons of the day**. Also, **of the night** means the same thing as **of the darkness**. If your language does not use repetition in this way, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “Certainly, all of you are ready for Christ’s second coming. None of us are ignorant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 425 | 1TH | 5 | 5 | ww4y | figs-parallelism | πάντες γὰρ ὑμεῖς υἱοὶ φωτός ἐστε, καὶ υἱοὶ ἡμέρας. οὐκ ἐσμὲν νυκτὸς οὐδὲ σκότους | 1 | For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day | Here, **you are all sons of the light and sons of the day** is a contrasting parallelism to **We are not of the night, nor of the darkness**. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 426 | 1TH | 5 | 5 | zp3z | figs-metaphor | πάντες γὰρ ὑμεῖς υἱοὶ φωτός ἐστε, καὶ υἱοὶ ἡμέρας | 1 | For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day | **sons of the light and sons of the day** are metaphors for prepared Christians who will be saved (See [5:8-9](../05/08.md)). **sons** means “Christians who are characterized by.” **light** and **day** mean “spiritually ready.” This is opposite of those **of the darkness**. See also “those outside” in [4:12](../04/12.md). Alternate translation: “This is because all of you are ready for Christ’s coming” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 427 | 1TH | 5 | 5 | ilv4 | grammar-connect-logic-result | πάντες γὰρ ὑμεῖς…ἐστε | 1 | For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day | This reason clause uses an emphatic reflexive pronoun **you** and the inclusive **all** in order to “comfort” the Thessalonians [4:18, 5:11](../04/18.md). Alternate translation: “Certainly all of you are” or “This is because you are all” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 428 | 1TH | 5 | 5 | d6fm | figs-metaphor | οὐκ ἐσμὲν νυκτὸς οὐδὲ σκότους | 1 | We are not of the night nor of the darkness | **night** and **darkness** are metaphors for “ignorant,” “unprepared,” or “sin” (See [5:4](../05/04.md). Alternate translation: “We are not characterized by spiritual ignorance” or “We are not unprepared like those who live in the darkness, like those at night” or “we do not live like those who are characterized by sinful activities” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 429 | 1TH | 5 | 5 | kq0x | figs-exclusive | ἐσμὲν | 1 | We are not of the night nor of the darkness | Here, **we** is inclusive of all Christians in [5:5-5:10](../05/05.md). Your language may require you to mark these forms. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) |
| 430 | 1TH | 5 | 6 | paqf | grammar-connect-logic-result | ἄρα οὖν | 1 | we might keep watch and be sober | This phrase indicates as strong emphatic reason clause. Alternate translation: “This is the reason why,” or “As a result,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 431 | 1TH | 5 | 6 | d2aj | figs-metaphor | μὴ καθεύδωμεν ὡς οἱ λοιποί | 1 | we might keep watch and be sober | Here, **sleep** is used as a metaphor for “unprepared” or “unaware” (See note at [5:4](../05/04.md)). **the rest** refers to non-Christians: “those outside” in [4:12](../04/12.md), those “in darkness” in [5:4](../05/04.md), those “of the night and of the darkness” in [5:5](../05/05.md). Alternate translation: “we must not be unprepared like non-Christians” or “we must not remain spiritually unaware like the rest of humanity” or “let us not be like others, who are not aware that Jesus is coming back” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 432 | 1TH | 5 | 6 | on3d | μὴ καθεύδωμεν…γρηγορῶμεν καὶ νήφωμεν | 1 | we might keep watch and be sober | Here, the verb forms **sleep**, **keep watch**, and **be sober** can be translated in three main ways: (1) Commands. Alternate translation: “we must not sleep … we must keep watch and be sober” (2) Suggestions/Obligations. Alternate translation: “we should not sleep … we should keep watch and we should be sober” (3) Appeals. Alternate translation: “let us not sleep … let us keep watch and let us be sober” | |
| 433 | 1TH | 5 | 6 | q33e | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | ἀλλὰ | 1 | we might not sleep | This marks the beginning of a contrast clause. Alternate translation: “however” or “instead” or “on the contrary” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) |
| 434 | 1TH | 5 | 6 | sdww | figs-metaphor | γρηγορῶμεν καὶ νήφωμεν | 1 | we might not sleep | The metaphor of spiritual preparedness and awareness continues with the phrase **keep watch and be sober**. Alternate translation: “instead, we must stay spiritually alert and prepared” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 435 | 1TH | 5 | 6 | osxu | figs-doublet | γρηγορῶμεν καὶ νήφωμεν | 1 | we might not sleep | Here, **keep watch** and **be sober** could refer to the same thing. If your language does not use repetition in this way, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “let us remain soberly awake” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 436 | 1TH | 5 | 7 | s253 | figs-metaphor | οἱ γὰρ καθεύδοντες, νυκτὸς καθεύδουσιν | 1 | For those who are sleeping, sleep at night | Here again, like in [5:6](../05/06.md), **sleep** is used as a metaphor for “unprepared” or “unaware” or even “sinful” (see also note at [5:4](../05/04.md). Here, this is combined with the metaphor of **night** [5:2](../05/02.md). This verb forms also conveys habitual or repeated activity. Alternate translation: “Because those who are sleep are unaware” or “Certainly those who are asleep are unprepared” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 437 | 1TH | 5 | 7 | fxca | figs-parallelism | οἱ γὰρ καθεύδοντες, νυκτὸς καθεύδουσιν; καὶ οἱ μεθυσκόμενοι, νυκτὸς μεθύουσιν | 1 | For those who are sleeping, sleep at night | This verse utilizes structural parallelism to compare **sleeping** and **getting drunk**. It uses the same phrasing in both clauses to convey this parallelism. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 438 | 1TH | 5 | 7 | exa8 | figs-metaphor | οἱ μεθυσκόμενοι, νυκτὸς μεθύουσιν | 1 | those who are getting drunk, get drunk at night | Again, the metaphor of “unprepared” or “unaware” is compared to “drunkenness.” So, here, **sleeping** and **getting drunk** are metaphorical synonyms. Both verbs indicate a repeated or habitual practice. Alternate translation: “those who are drunk are unaware” or “Certainly those who are drunk are unprepared” or “those who drink too much alcohol, do it at night” or “alcoholics tend to get drunk at night” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 439 | 1TH | 5 | 8 | wh3g | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | ἡμεῖς δὲ ἡμέρας ὄντες, νήφωμεν | 1 | we, being of the day | This contrasting clause concludes this section’s main theme of **day** (See first note at [5:2](../05/02.md) and emphasizes the previous term **sober** [5:6](../05/06.md) as a contrast to “getting drunk.” Alternate translation: However, since we are ready for Christ’s coming, we must stay prepared” or “Instead, because we are ready, let us remain aware” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) |
| 440 | 1TH | 5 | 8 | i8j1 | figs-exclusive | ἡμεῖς | 1 | might stay sober | Here, **we** is inclusive of all Christians (See note at [4:17, 5:5](../04/17.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) |
| 441 | 1TH | 5 | 8 | iv63 | νήφωμεν | 1 | we, being of the day | This verb can be translated in three main ways (see your translation at [5:6](../05/06.md): (1) command. Alternate translation: “we must remain sober” (2) strong suggestion/obligation. Alternate translation: “we should remain sober” (3) appeal. Alternate translation: “let us remain sober” | |
| 442 | 1TH | 5 | 8 | jqqo | figs-metaphor | ἡμέρας ὄντες | 1 | we, being of the day | **being of the day** could refer to: (1) belonging. Alternate translation: “belong to Christ” or “are part of those who are ready for Christ’s coming” (2) character. (See your translation at [5:5](../05/05.md). Alternate translation: “This is because all of you are ready for Christ’s coming” or “Certainly none of you are characterized by ignorance” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 443 | 1TH | 5 | 8 | ev6i | figs-metaphor | ἐνδυσάμενοι θώρακα πίστεως καὶ ἀγάπης, καὶ περικεφαλαίαν, ἐλπίδα σωτηρίας | 1 | having put on the breastplate of faith and of love | The military metaphor of **breastplate** and **helmet** reinforces that **sober** refers to readiness. As a soldier must equip himself with armor in order to be ready to fight, so the Christian must prepare himself for the Second Coming of Christ with spiritual protection (See also Ephesians 6:10-18,23). Alternate translation: “having equipped ourselves with faithfulness and love, like a soldier wears a breastplate; and having put on the confidence of salvation, like a helmet” or “by arming ourselves with faithful love, as with a breastplate; and salvation’s confident assurance, as with a helmet” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 444 | 1TH | 5 | 8 | l89q | figs-possession | πίστεως καὶ ἀγάπης…σωτηρίας | 1 | having put on the breastplate of faith and of love | Here is a reference to three things that “remain: faith, hope, love” (See 1 Corinthians 13:13). These genitive phrases **of faith and of love … of salvation** can refer to: (1) means. Alternate translation: “through faith … love … salvation” (2) source. Alternate translation: “that comes from faith … that comes from love … that comes from salvation” (3) association. Alternate translation: “associated with faith … love … salvation” or “that is characterized by faith … love … salvation” (4) attribute. Alternate translation: “of faithful love … salvation’s hope” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) |
| 445 | 1TH | 5 | 9 | sgu8 | figs-parallelism | ὅτι οὐκ ἔθετο ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς εἰς ὀργὴν, ἀλλὰ εἰς περιποίησιν σωτηρίας διὰ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | To emphasize the contrast of this parallelism, you could convert these clauses into two sentences. Alternate translation: “Because God did not destine us for wrath. Actually, God destined that our Lord Jesus Christ would preserve and save us.” or “Certainly, God did not determine to punish us. Instead, he determined that our Lord Jesus Christ would protect and save us.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 446 | 1TH | 5 | 9 | lrx6 | grammar-connect-logic-result | ὅτι | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | Here, **For** signals a reason clause. Alternate translation: “This is because” or “Certainly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 447 | 1TH | 5 | 9 | h5y2 | figs-abstractnouns | ὅτι οὐκ ἔθετο ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς εἰς ὀργὴν | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | Here, **wrath** is an abstract noun referring to God’s future and final Judgment. See your translation of **wrath** at [1:10, 2:16](../01/10/.md). If it would be misunderstood in your language, you could translate this phrase with a verb form. Alternate translation: “This is because God did not determine that he would judge us” or “Certainly, God did not destine to punish us” (See: [What is the “second coming” of Jesus?](../front/intro.md))(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 448 | 1TH | 5 | 9 | y7bg | figs-exclusive | ἡμᾶς | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | Here, **us** is inclusive of all Christians. Your language may require you to mark these forms. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) |
| 449 | 1TH | 5 | 9 | qmo5 | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | ἀλλὰ | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | Here, **but** marks the beginning of a contrast clause that emphasizes the impossibility of God’s people experiencing final judgment. Alternate translation: “but actually” or “instead” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) |
| 450 | 1TH | 5 | 9 | ea58 | figs-parallelism | εἰς περιποίησιν σωτηρίας | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | This clause reinforces the impossibility of Christians experiencing God’s final **wrath**, and parallels the language of [5:8](../05/08.md). This word translated **to obtain** is a noun that literally means “placed around,” echoing the language of “helmet.” So then, **to obtain** and “hope” are parallels describing **salvation** in both verses. Alternate translation: “for possession of salvation” or “for preserving salvation” or “for the protection of salvation” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 451 | 1TH | 5 | 9 | qfcf | figs-possession | περιποίησιν σωτηρίας | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | This genitive phrase expresses possession. Alternate translation: “possession of salvation” or “acquiring of salvation” or “preserving of salvation” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) |
| 452 | 1TH | 5 | 9 | ytdm | grammar-connect-time-sequential | εἰς περιποίησιν | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | This phrase could refer to destination. Alternate translation: “leading to the obtaining of” or “towards possession of” or “toward preserving” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]]) |
| 453 | 1TH | 5 | 9 | m8y1 | grammar-connect-logic-result | εἰς περιποίησιν | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | This phrase could be a result clause. Alternate translation: “with the result of the possession of” or “causing us to obtain” or “so then preserving” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 454 | 1TH | 5 | 9 | c8t7 | grammar-connect-logic-goal | εἰς περιποίησιν | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | This phrase could be a purpose clause. Alternate translation: “for the purpose of possessing” or “in order to obtain” or “so that we preserve” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]]) |
| 455 | 1TH | 5 | 9 | reki | translate-textvariants | Χριστοῦ | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | A number of ancient manuscripts omit **Christ**. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) |
| 456 | 1TH | 5 | 10 | arhm | figs-distinguish | τοῦ ἀποθανόντος περὶ ἡμῶν | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | This relative clause gives the guarantee that we will “obtain salvation,” because Jesus **died for us**. Alternate translation: “he died for our sake” or “he died on our behalf” or “he died on our in place” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]]) |
| 457 | 1TH | 5 | 10 | dzq0 | grammar-connect-logic-goal | ἵνα εἴτε γρηγορῶμεν εἴτε καθεύδωμεν, ἅμα σὺν αὐτῷ ζήσωμεν | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | This could be a purpose clause. Alternate translation: “so that … we would live together with him” or “in order that … we could both live together with him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]]) |
| 458 | 1TH | 5 | 10 | j2ye | grammar-connect-logic-result | ἵνα εἴτε γρηγορῶμεν εἴτε καθεύδωμεν, ἅμα σὺν αὐτῷ ζήσωμεν | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | This could be a result clause. Alternate translation: “resulting in the fact that … we will live together with him” or “. So then, … we will both live together with him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 459 | 1TH | 5 | 10 | w59c | figs-euphemism | εἴτε γρηγορῶμεν εἴτε καθεύδωμεν | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | **awake or asleep** is likely a euphemism that refers to “the dead and the living.” The previous use of **asleep** refers to those “appointed to wrath,” so it would not make sense to have the same meaning here. Alternate translation: “whether alive or dead” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]]) |
| 460 | 1TH | 5 | 10 | q3oy | figs-metaphor | εἴτε γρηγορῶμεν εἴτε καθεύδωμεν | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | This could also be continuing the metaphor of spiritual alertness or sleepiness. See [5:6](../05/05.md)) where the same words have this meaning. Here, it would indicate that since Christ **died for us**, we are assured “to obtain salvation” [5:9](..05/09.md). Alternate translation: “even if we are spiritually alert or groggy” or “whether we are prepared or caught unaware” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 461 | 1TH | 5 | 10 | lrxs | figs-parallelism | ἅμα σὺν αὐτῷ ζήσωμεν | 1 | whether we might be awake or asleep | This phrase echoes the language of [4:17](../04/17.md), indicating that this life **together with him** is eternal life. Here, **for us** parallels **together with him** to express union with Christ as communion with his people. Alternate translation: “we would both live eternally with him” or “both the living and dead will live forever with him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 462 | 1TH | 5 | 11 | r921 | grammar-connect-words-phrases | διὸ παρακαλεῖτε ἀλλήλους, καὶ οἰκοδομεῖτε εἷς τὸν ἕνα, καθὼς καὶ ποιεῖτε | 1 | build up one the other | **Therefore** indicates the conclusion of this section about “the day of the Lord,” echoing and expanding on the closing exhortation and exact phrase **comfort one another** found in [4:18](../04/18.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 463 | 1TH | 5 | 11 | m2c9 | figs-doublet | διὸ παρακαλεῖτε ἀλλήλους, καὶ οἰκοδομεῖτε εἷς τὸν ἕνα, καθὼς καὶ ποιεῖτε | 1 | build up one the other | This verse uses a doublet to make an emphatic appeal to the Thessalonian Church. **comfort one another** is similar to **build up one the other**. **just as** is a common emphatic phrase in this letter (See [4:1](../04/01.md)). Alternate translation: “So then, keep encouraging each other and edifying one another, exactly as you are now doing” or “This is why you must keep consoling each other and confirming each one, doing it just as you are now” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 464 | 1TH | 5 | 11 | fx2f | figs-idiom | οἰκοδομεῖτε | 1 | build up one the other | **build up** is an idiom that refers to spiritual strengthening or a metaphor that compares building a house to strengthening another person’s faithfulness. Alternate translation: “keep supporting” or “continue to confirm” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 465 | 1TH | 5 | 11 | kdae | figs-idiom | εἷς τὸν ἕνα | 1 | build up one the other | The phrase translated **one the other** literally means “one the one.” It is an idiom that means “each and every one” or “each one” or “one another” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 466 | 1TH | 5 | 12 | pd47 | grammar-connect-words-phrases | δὲ | 1 | General Information: | This connecting word indicates the final section of instructions from the apostles. Alternate translation: “Finally” or “But” or “Indeed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 467 | 1TH | 5 | 12 | jeeb | grammar-connect-words-phrases | ἐρωτῶμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς | 1 | General Information: | Here, **we ask you** is a final appeal to the Thessalonian Church. Alternate translation: “Now we appeal to you” or “But we urge you” (See [4:1](../04/01.md) for a similar phrase). |
| 468 | 1TH | 5 | 12 | rka4 | ἀδελφοί | 1 | brothers | Throughout this letter, **brothers** is an idiom meaning “fellow Christians” or “fellow believers in Christ” [5:4](../05/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) | |
| 469 | 1TH | 5 | 12 | xnnz | figs-gendernotations | ἀδελφοί | 1 | brothers | Here, the idiom **brothers** includes females. If your language does not have this idiom, you can use a gender inclusive term that refers to male and female. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” or “spiritual brothers and sisters” or “fellow believers in Christ” or “fellow believers in God” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) |
| 470 | 1TH | 5 | 12 | ksp2 | εἰδέναι | 1 | to acknowledge those who are laboring | In [5:12-13](../05/12/.md) the verb forms **to know** and “to regard” are used twice to urge the Thessalonian Church to submit to their leaders. Alternate translation: “to acknowledge the authority of” or “to recognize the authority” | |
| 471 | 1TH | 5 | 12 | fqh3 | figs-merism | τοὺς κοπιῶντας ἐν ὑμῖν, καὶ προϊσταμένους ὑμῶν ἐν Κυρίῳ, καὶ νουθετοῦντας ὑμᾶς | 1 | leading you in the Lord | This clause is merism that expresses different functions or categories for the same group of leaders: working, leading, training. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) |
| 472 | 1TH | 5 | 12 | f4jv | figs-idiom | ἐν Κυρίῳ | 1 | leading you in the Lord | Here, the idiom **in the Lord** indicates that the Thessalonian Church must **acknowledge** these leaders because they are authorized by Lord Jesus himself (See also [4:1](../04/01.md). Alternate translation: “with their authority from the Lord Jesus” or “as spokespersons of the Lord Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 473 | 1TH | 5 | 12 | zlqn | νουθετοῦντας | 1 | leading you in the Lord | The word translated **admonishing** literally means “placing in mind” or “putting within the perceptions.” In essence, it refers to all the aspects of spiritual instruction. Alternate translation: “instructing” or “training” or “warning” or “disciplining” | |
| 474 | 1TH | 5 | 13 | c966 | figs-parallelism | καὶ ἡγεῖσθαι αὐτοὺς ὑπέρἐκπερισσοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ, διὰ τὸ ἔργον αὐτῶν | 1 | to regard them highly in love because of their work | This verse uses intensified parallelism [5:12](../05/12.md), by adding **highly in love**. **to regard** parallels “to acknowledge,” **because of their work** parallels “laboring.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 475 | 1TH | 5 | 13 | jq0o | grammar-connect-logic-result | καὶ ἡγεῖσθαι αὐτοὺς ὑπέρἐκπερισσοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ, διὰ τὸ ἔργον αὐτῶν | 1 | to regard them highly in love because of their work | If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “Because of their work for you, we also ask you to regard them highly in love” or “Since they work so hard for you, we also urge you to show them the highest honor out of love” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 476 | 1TH | 5 | 13 | qcw4 | καὶ ἡγεῖσθαι αὐτοὺς ὑπέρἐκπερισσοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ | 1 | to regard them highly in love because of their work | This phrase uses double emphasis. The word translated **regard** is meant to be a pun for leadership. The apostles are urging the Thessalonian Church “to lead the way” by their “excessive love” for their leaders. Alternate translation: “and to continue to model for them how to abundantly love” or “and to keep showing them the highest honor in love” or “and to lovingly demonstrate the utmost consideration” | |
| 477 | 1TH | 5 | 13 | p6m4 | ἐν ἀγάπῃ | 1 | to regard them highly in love because of their work | This phrase could refer to: (1) means. Alternate translation: “with love” (2) association. Alternate translation: “in the communion of love” (3) basis. Alternate translation: “on the basis of love” or “from love” | |
| 478 | 1TH | 5 | 13 | rqs8 | figs-imperative | εἰρηνεύετε ἐν ἑαυτοῖς | 1 | to regard them highly in love because of their work | Here is the first of seventeen final appeals that apostles give the Thessalonian Church in [5:13-26](../05/13.md). **Be at peace** is an imperative, but the previous use of “we ask” in [5:12](../05/12.md) and following use of “we exhort” in [5:14](../05/14.md) communicate polite requests rather than a command. You could use a form in your language that communicates a polite request. **among yourselves** refers to the Thessalonian Church at its leaders. Alternate translation: “Continue to live at peace with your leaders” or “Reconcile with each other” or (See UST)(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative]]) |
| 479 | 1TH | 5 | 14 | tdxa | grammar-connect-words-phrases | παρακαλοῦμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, | 1 | to regard them highly in love because of their work | This phrase signals the apostles’ final appeals to the Thessalonian Church. Since there are fourteen commands in this section [5:14-22](../05/14.md), you could use a marker from your language to indicate this final section. Alternate translation: “Now, we urge you, fellow believers in Christ:” See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) |
| 480 | 1TH | 5 | 14 | qadb | figs-idiom | ἀδελφοί | 1 | to regard them highly in love because of their work | See notes at [5:12](../05/12.md) about **brothers**. |
| 481 | 1TH | 5 | 14 | lajk | figs-litany | νουθετεῖτε τοὺς ἀτάκτους, παραμυθεῖσθε τοὺς ὀλιγοψύχους, ἀντέχεσθε τῶν ἀσθενῶν, μακροθυμεῖτε πρὸς πάντας | 1 | to regard them highly in love because of their work | Here begins a litany of commands that extends through [5:22](../05/22). It most likely is addressed to the leaders spoken of in [5:12-13](../05/12.md). All of these verbs indicate an emphasis of characteristic or repeated action. If your language makes this distinction, you could indicate this emphasis in your translation. Alternate translation: “Keep admonishing … toward all” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litany]]) |
| 482 | 1TH | 5 | 15 | oz10 | figs-parallelism | ὁρᾶτε μή τις κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ τινι ἀποδῷ, ἀλλὰ πάντοτε τὸ ἀγαθὸν διώκετε, καὶ εἰς ἀλλήλους καὶ εἰς πάντας | 1 | to regard them highly in love because of their work | This verse uses contrasting parallelism: **pay back evil for evil** contrasts **pursue good**, **no one** contrasts **always**. This verse also uses synonymous parallelism: **to anyone** is similar to **both for one another and for all**. If this parallelism is unclear in your language, you could make it emphatic. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 483 | 1TH | 5 | 15 | vlp7 | figs-idiom | ὁρᾶτε μή τις κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ τινι ἀποδῷ | 1 | to regard them highly in love because of their work | Here, **See that** is an idiom for commanding attention. Alternate translation: “Be certain that no one repays evil in place of evil” or “It is forbidden for anyone to pay back evil instead of evil” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 484 | 1TH | 5 | 15 | mc2z | figs-hyperbole | πάντοτε | 1 | to regard them highly in love because of their work | Here, **always** could be using a hyperbole to express emphasis. Alternate translation: “constantly” or “habitually” or “make every effort to” or (See UST) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) |
| 485 | 1TH | 5 | 15 | pe3l | figs-merism | καὶ εἰς ἀλλήλους καὶ εἰς πάντας | 1 | to regard them highly in love because of their work | Here, **both for one another and for all** is used as a way to emphasize the whole human race (See how you translated this phrase in [3:12](../03/12.md). If **both for one another and for all** would be misunderstood in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “for everyone” or “for each and every person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) |
| 486 | 1TH | 5 | 16 | chw9 | figs-hyperbole | πάντοτε | 1 | Rejoice always | Here again, **always** could be using a hyperbole to express emphasis. Alternate translation: “constantly” or “habitually” or “make every effort to” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) |
| 487 | 1TH | 5 | 17 | l63i | figs-hyperbole | ἀδιαλείπτως προσεύχεσθε | 1 | Pray without ceasing | Here, **without ceasing** could be using a hyperbole to express emphasis. Alternate translation: “Keep praying regularly” or “Continue to habitually pray” or “Be in a prayerful state” or “Retain a prayerful state of mind” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) |
| 488 | 1TH | 5 | 18 | bt5q | ἐν παντὶ εὐχαριστεῖτε | 1 | In everything | Here, **in everything** could refer to: (1) situation/circumstance. Alternate translation: “In every situation give thanks” or “In every circumstance be thankful” or “No matter what happens offer thanks to God” (2) time. Alternate translation: “At every time give thanks” or “In every moment be thankful” (3) both. Alternate translation: “In every situation and moment” | |
| 489 | 1TH | 5 | 18 | z9gg | figs-infostructure | ἐν παντὶ εὐχαριστεῖτε | 1 | In everything give thanks | If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: “Continue to give thanks in everything” or “Keep giving thanks at every time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure]]) |
| 490 | 1TH | 5 | 18 | q7gn | grammar-connect-logic-result | τοῦτο γὰρ θέλημα Θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ εἰς ὑμᾶς | 1 | for this is the will of God | This is a reason clause. Alternate translation: “Because this is God’s will for you who are united to Christ Jesus” or “Certainly, this very thing is God’s will for you who are in union with Christ Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 491 | 1TH | 5 | 18 | l3sk | grammar-collectivenouns | τοῦτο γὰρ θέλημα Θεοῦ | 1 | for this is the will of God | **this** emphasizes what **is the will of God**. **this** refers either to **in everything give thanks** or all the commands in [5:14-18](../05/14.md). See your translation of **the will of God** at [4:3](../04/03.md). Alternate translation: “In fact, this is God’s will” or “Certainly, this very thing is God’s will” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns]]) |
| 492 | 1TH | 5 | 18 | sw8b | figs-abstractnouns | θέλημα Θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ εἰς ὑμᾶς | 1 | for this is the will of God | If it would be misunderstood in your language, you could change this abstract noun phrase to an active form. Alternate translation: “God desires that you live like those who are in union with Christ Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 493 | 1TH | 5 | 19 | j1ei | figs-metaphor | τὸ Πνεῦμα μὴ σβέννυτε | 1 | Do not quench the Spirit | **quench** is a metaphor comparing the **Spirit** to a breath or wind that can be snuffed out. Alternate translation: “Do not extinguish the Spirit” or “Do not reject the Spirit” or (See UST) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 494 | 1TH | 5 | 19 | sv8r | figs-litotes | μὴ σβέννυτε | 1 | Do not quench the Spirit | If **do not quench** would be misunderstood in your language, you can express the meaning positively. Alternate translation: “Continue to kindle the Spirit” or “Keep working along with the Spirit” or “Be fervent in the Spirit” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]]) |
| 495 | 1TH | 5 | 19 | lqc3 | figs-explicit | τὸ Πνεῦμα | 1 | Do not quench the Spirit | The phrase translated **the Spirit** is assumed to refer to “the Holy **Spirit**” (See [4:8](../04/08.md). Alternate translation: “The Holy Spirit” or “the Spirit of God” or “God’s Spirit” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 496 | 1TH | 5 | 20 | iv1n | προφητείας μὴ ἐξουθενεῖτε | 1 | Do not despise prophecies | This could refer to: (1) the content of “quench the Spirit.” Alternate translation: “Do not despise prophecies from the Spirit” (2) a separate issue within the Thessalonian Church. Alternate translation: “Do not revile prophecies” or “Do not scorn prophetic messages” | |
| 497 | 1TH | 5 | 21 | wx69 | figs-metaphor | πάντα δοκιμάζετε | 1 | Test all things | **all things** refers to “prophecies” [5:20](../05/21.md). (See [2:4](../02/04.md) for the word translated **test** as “approved” used in the same context). Here, **test** is a metaphor comparing “prophecies” to metal tested for purity in a refiner’s fire. If you have an equivalent metaphor from your culture, you could use it. Alternate translation: “Examine and approve all prophecies” or “Test and examine all prophetic messages” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 498 | 1TH | 5 | 21 | qgay | translate-textvariants | πάντα δοκιμάζετε; τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε | 1 | Test all things | Many ancient manuscripts add a contrasting “But” at the beginning of this verse. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) |
| 499 | 1TH | 5 | 21 | n1jv | figs-metaphor | τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε | 1 | Test all things | Here, “prophecies” are spoken of as **what {is} good**, compared to objects that someone could hold in his hands. Alternate translation: “Hold on tight to a genuine prophecy from the Spirit” or “Keep only the good prophecies” or “Clutch whatever prophecies are excellent” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 500 | 1TH | 5 | 22 | bm8l | figs-parallelism | ἀπὸ παντὸς εἴδους πονηροῦ ἀπέχεσθε | 1 | Test all things | This verse is a contrasting parallel to [5:21](../05/21.md). **Stay away** is the opposite of “Hold fast,” **all** parallels “all things,” **appearance of evil** is opposite of “what is good.” Alternate translation: “Hold back from accepting any prophecy that appears wicked” or “Don’t hold on tight to any prophecy that appears false” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 501 | 1TH | 5 | 22 | z9k0 | figs-personification | παντὸς εἴδους πονηροῦ | 1 | Test all things | **appearance** is used to personify prophecy as if someone or something that can be seen. If **appearance** might be misunderstood by your readers, you could express **appearance** in clear terms. Alternate translation: “all apparently evil prophecies” or “all obvious evil prophecies” or “any clearly wicked prophecies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) |
| 502 | 1TH | 5 | 23 | mqi7 | translate-blessing | ἁγιάσαι | 1 | may your entire spirit, and soul, and body be kept blamelessly | The verbs **sanctify … be kept** indicate that this is a final blessing or prayer section. You could use a form that people would recognize as a blessing or prayer in your language. Alternate translation: “Now I pray, that God himself, who gives peace, would sancitfy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-blessing]]) |
| 503 | 1TH | 5 | 23 | ozyh | figs-parallelism | ἁγιάσαι ὑμᾶς ὁλοτελεῖς, καὶ ὁλόκληρον ὑμῶν τὸ πνεῦμα, καὶ ἡ ψυχὴ, καὶ τὸ σῶμα, ἀμέμπτως…τηρηθείη | 1 | may your entire spirit, and soul, and body be kept blamelessly | Here, the words translated **completely** and **entire** have parallel forms and meanings. **sanctify** parallels **be kept blamelessly**. See also [3:13](../03/13.md) for a parallel passage. Alternate translation: “may … fully preserve you as his people to the end, and may every part of you be protected” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 504 | 1TH | 5 | 23 | sbxc | figs-possession | ὁ Θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης | 1 | may your entire spirit, and soul, and body be kept blamelessly | **the God of peace** is a title for God found in the New Testament (See Romans 15:33; 16:20; Philippians 4:9; Hebrews 13:20). **the God of peace** can refer to: (1) God’s character. Alternate translation: “the God who is characterized by peace” (2) What God does. Alternate translation: “the God who gives peace” (3) Both. Alternate translation: (See UST) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) |
| 505 | 1TH | 5 | 23 | nb1x | figs-rpronouns | αὐτὸς | 1 | may your entire spirit, and soul, and body be kept blamelessly | **himself** is used to emphasize the urgency of the apostles’ prayer or blessing. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns]]) |
| 506 | 1TH | 5 | 23 | vkhs | figs-activepassive | ὁλόκληρον ὑμῶν τὸ πνεῦμα, καὶ ἡ ψυχὴ, καὶ τὸ σῶμα, ἀμέμπτως…τηρηθείη. | 1 | may your entire spirit, and soul, and body be kept blamelessly | The passive verb form **may be … kept** indicates God is one who is being asked to complete the action. You could change this phrase to an active form. Alternate translation: “may God make your whole life sinless” or “may God keep you completely blameless” or (See UST) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 507 | 1TH | 5 | 23 | a64t | ὁλόκληρον ὑμῶν τὸ πνεῦμα, καὶ ἡ ψυχὴ, καὶ τὸ σῶμα, ἀμέμπτως…τηρηθείη. | 1 | may your entire spirit, and soul, and body be kept blamelessly | The word translated **may … be kept** also indicates a strong desire or hope. Alternate translation: “O that … would be kept” or “may … be guarded blamelessly” or “may … be protected blamelessly” or “may … be preserved blamelessly”. | |
| 508 | 1TH | 5 | 23 | s36k | figs-merism | ὁλόκληρον ὑμῶν τὸ πνεῦμα, καὶ ἡ ψυχὴ, καὶ τὸ σῶμα | 1 | may your entire spirit, and soul, and body be kept blamelessly | Here, the concepts **your entire spirit, and soul, and body** represent the whole person. If your language does not have three words for these concepts you can state it as “your whole life” “your entire life” or “all of you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) |
| 509 | 1TH | 5 | 23 | nyma | figs-idiom | ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ | 1 | may your entire spirit, and soul, and body be kept blamelessly | Here, the word translated **coming** is a well-known idiom in 1-2 Thessalonians for the Second Coming of Christ [4:15](../04/15.md) or the “Day of the Lord” [5:2](../05/02.md). It literally means, “presence” or “being with or near.” Here, **coming** expresses “presence,” so the emphasis is on the lasting presence of the Lord Jesus (see also Matthew 24). The definite article **the** indicates either the one and only Coming of the Lord, or the well-known Coming of the Lord. Alternate translation: or “when the Lord Jesus Christ presents himself” or “at the arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ” or “when our Lord Jesus Christ arrives” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 510 | 1TH | 5 | 24 | vx20 | πιστὸς ὁ καλῶν ὑμᾶς, ὃς καὶ ποιήσει | 1 | Faithful is he who calls you | This statement concludes the blessing of [5:23](../05/23.md). | |
| 511 | 1TH | 5 | 24 | mq2u | figs-parallelism | πιστὸς ὁ καλῶν ὑμᾶς | 1 | Faithful is he who calls you | This verse specifically parallels the language of [4:7](../04/07.md) and also [2:12](../02/12.md). Alternate translation: “The faithful God keeps summoning you to complete sanctification” or “The trustworthy God is inviting you to completely belong to him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 512 | 1TH | 5 | 24 | i03k | grammar-connect-logic-result | πιστὸς ὁ καλῶν ὑμᾶς, ὃς καὶ ποιήσει | 1 | who will also do it | Here, **who will also do it** is the reason of result clause. If it would be misunderstood in your language, you could make this explicit. Alternate translation: “Because God is faithful, he will also completely sanctify you” or “Since God is trustworthy, he will also accomplish your complete sanctification” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 513 | 1TH | 5 | 24 | j08v | figs-ellipsis | ὁ καλῶν | 1 | Faithful is he who calls you | This is an example of relative ellipsis, where the presumed reference is “the God of peace” in [5:23](../05/23.md). If this would be misunderstood in your language, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: “God who calls” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) |
| 514 | 1TH | 5 | 24 | c3jg | figs-rpronouns | ὃς | 1 | who will also do it | The pronoun **who** refers to **he**. **he** refers to God and emphasizes the faithfulness of God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns]]) |
| 515 | 1TH | 5 | 25 | q8ki | figs-idiom | ἀδελφοί | 1 | General Information: | Throughout this letter, **brothers** is an idiom meaning “fellow Christians” or “fellow believers in Christ” [5:14](../05/14.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 516 | 1TH | 5 | 25 | qa1c | figs-gendernotations | ἀδελφοί | 1 | brothers | Here, the idiom **brothers** includes females. If your language does not have this idiom, you can use a gender inclusive term that refers to male and female. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” or “spiritual brothers and sisters” or “fellow believers in Christ” or “fellow believers in God” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) |
| 517 | 1TH | 5 | 25 | b7w3 | figs-imperative | προσεύχεσθε | 1 | brothers | **pray** is an imperative, but it communicates a polite request rather than a command. Use a form in your language that communicates a polite request. It may be helpful to add an expression such as “please” to make this clear. Alternate translation: “Please pray” or “We ask you to pray” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative]]) |
| 518 | 1TH | 5 | 25 | i5yv | translate-textvariants | καὶ | 1 | brothers | Some ancient manuscripts omit “also” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) |
| 519 | 1TH | 5 | 25 | tbhj | figs-exclusive | ἡμῶν | 1 | brothers | Here, **us** refers exclusively to the apostles. Your language may require you to mark these forms. Alternate translation: “us apostles” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) |
| 520 | 1TH | 5 | 26 | j46q | figs-imperative | ἀσπάσασθε | 1 | brothers | **Greet** is an imperative, but it communicates a polite request rather than a command. Use a form in your language that communicates a polite request. Alternate translation: “Make it your habit to greet” or “Make it your practice to greet” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative]]) |
| 521 | 1TH | 5 | 26 | dwl8 | figs-idiom | τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς πάντας | 1 | brothers | Here, **all the brothers** is an idiom that refers to the whole Thessalonian Church–and by extension–all Christians. Alternate translation: “all believers in Christ” or “all Christians” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 522 | 1TH | 5 | 26 | v9iy | figs-explicit | ἐν φιλήματι ἁγίῳ | 1 | brothers | **a holy kiss** is a reference to a symbolic greeting of Christian affection that the Thessalonian Church would have understood. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 523 | 1TH | 5 | 26 | jhvi | φιλήματι ἁγίῳ | 1 | brothers | This letter’s theme of holiness is reinforced by calling it a **holy kiss**. Alternate translation: “a kiss shared by those who belong to God” or “a kiss that shows that you belong to God’s people” | |
| 524 | 1TH | 5 | 27 | xn0n | writing-oathformulas | ἐνορκίζω ὑμᾶς τὸν Κύριον | 1 | I solemnly charge you by the Lord to have this letter read | The phrase **I solemnly charge you by the Lord** is an oath formula. If you have a term or phrase that would be most natural in your language to express an oath in this context, consider using that. Alternate translation: “I put you under oath to the Lord that this read this letter must be read” or “I implore you by the Lord to read this letter” or “You must swear an oath to the Lord that you will read this letter” or “You must make a vow to the Lord that you will read this letter” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-oathformulas]]) |
| 525 | 1TH | 5 | 27 | n5cn | figs-explicit | ἀναγνωσθῆναι τὴν ἐπιστολὴν | 1 | I solemnly charge you by the Lord to have this letter read | **to have this letter read** indicates the content of the **charge** **by the Lord**. The assumption is that this letter would be read out loud by someone in the local church. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 526 | 1TH | 5 | 27 | yp7e | figs-activepassive | ἀναγνωσθῆναι τὴν ἐπιστολὴν | 1 | I solemnly charge you by the Lord to have this letter read | If your language does not contain passive verbs, you could change it to an active verb. Alternate translation: “to make sure you read this letter out loud” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 527 | 1TH | 5 | 27 | fyc7 | figs-idiom | πᾶσιν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς | 1 | I solemnly charge you by the Lord to have this letter read | Here, **all the brothers** is an idiom that refers to the whole Thessalonian Church–and by extension–all Christians (See [5:26](../05/26.md). Alternate translation: “to the whole church at Thessalonica” or “to all believers in Christ” or “to all Christians” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 528 | 1TH | 5 | 27 | ojue | translate-textvariants | πᾶσιν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς | 1 | I solemnly charge you by the Lord to have this letter read | Many ancient manuscripts read “**all the** holy **brothers**” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) |
| 529 | 1TH | 5 | 28 | ykkr | translate-blessing | ἡ χάρις τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, μεθ’ ὑμῶν | 1 | I solemnly charge you by the Lord to have this letter read | This is a blessing formula. You should use a form that people would recognize as a blessing in your language. Alternate translation: “May our Lord Jesus Christ show you how kind he is” or “May the favor of the Lord Jesus Christ be among you all” or “I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will favor all of you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-blessing]]) |
| 530 | 1TH | 5 | 28 | n8ur | figs-abstractnouns | ἡ χάρις τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, μεθ’ ὑμῶν | 1 | I solemnly charge you by the Lord to have this letter read | **grace** is an abstract noun. Alternate translation: “May our Lord Jesus Christ always show you how kind he is” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 531 | 1TH | 5 | 28 | d35d | translate-textvariants | μεθ’ ὑμῶν | 1 | I solemnly charge you by the Lord to have this letter read | Many ancient manuscripts add “Amen” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) |