1 Thessalonians 2:18

2:18 For we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, in fact tried again and again) ¹  but Satan thwarted us.

1 Thessalonians 4:14

4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that ²  God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep as Christians. ³ 

1 Thessalonians 3:10

3:10 We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person ⁴  and make up what may be lacking in your faith.

1 Thessalonians 3:8

3:8 For now we are alive again, ⁵  if you stand firm in the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 2:19

2:19 For who is our hope or joy or crown to boast of ⁶  before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not of course you?

1 Thessalonians 3:9

3:9 For how can we thank God enough for you, ⁷  for all the joy we feel ⁸  because of you before our God?

1 Thessalonians 2:17

Forced Absence from Thessalonica

2:17 But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, ⁹  for a short time (in presence, not in affection) ¹⁰  we became all the more fervent in our great desire ¹¹  to see you in person. ¹² 

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Conclusion

5:23 Now may the God of peace himself make you completely holy and may your spirit and soul and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹ tn Or “several times”; Grk, “both once and twice.” The literal expression “once and twice” is frequently used as a Greek idiom referring to an indefinite low number, but more than once (“several times”); see L&N 60.70.

² tn “we believe that” is understood from the first clause of the verse, which is parallel. Grk “so also God will bring.”

³ tn Grk “those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.” It is possible that “through Jesus” describes “bring,” but this gives the unlikely double reference, “through Jesus God will bring them with Jesus.” Instead it describes their “falling sleep,” since through him their death is only sleep and not the threat it once was. Also Christians are those whose total existence – life and death – is in and through and for Christ (1 Cor 8:6).

³ tn Grk “to see your face.”

⁴ tn Grk “because now we live,” in comparison with his feelings of dread in not knowing how they were doing (cf. 2:17-3:5).

⁵ sn Crown to boast of (Grk “crown of boasting”). Paul uses boasting or exultation to describe the Christian’s delight in being commended for faithful service by the Lord at his return (1 Cor 9:15-16; 2 Cor 1:12-14; 10:13-18; Phil 2:16; and 1 Cor 3:14; 4:5).

⁶ tn Grk “what thanks can we render to God about you.”

⁷ tn Grk “all the joy with which we rejoice.”

⁷ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:4.

⁸ tn Grk “in face, not in heart.”

⁹ tn Grk “with great desire.”

¹⁰ tn Grk “to see your face.”