1 Thessalonians 1:4

1:4 We know, ¹  brothers and sisters ²  loved by God, that he has chosen you, ³ 

1 Thessalonians 2:5

2:5 For we never appeared ⁴  with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is our witness –

1 Thessalonians 4:2

4:2 For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:4-5

4:4 that each of you know how to possess his own body ⁵  in holiness and honor, 4:5 not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God.

1 Thessalonians 5:2

5:2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord ⁶  will come in the same way as a thief in the night. ⁷ 

[1:4]  ¹ tn Grk “knowing.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the participle εἰδότες (eidotes) has been translated as a finite verb and a new sentence started here in the translation.

[1:4]  ² tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” or “fellow Christians” as here (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelfoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited).

[1:4]  ³ tn Grk “your election.”

[2:5]  ⁴ tn Or “came on the scene,” “came.”

[4:4]  ⁷ tn Grk “to gain [or possess] his own vessel.” “Vessel” is most likely used figuratively for “body” (cf. 2 Cor 4:7). Some take it to mean “wife” (thus, “to take a wife for himself” or “to live with his wife”), but this is less likely. See J. Smith, “1 Thess 4:4 – Breaking the Impasse,” BBR 10 (Fall 2000), who argues that “vessel” in this context is very likely a euphemism for the sexual organs.

[5:2]  ¹⁰ sn The day of the Lord is the period of time in the future when the Lord will intervene in the events of this earth to consummate his redemption and his judgment (Isa 2:11-12; 13:6-13; Ezek 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:32; 3:18; Amos 5:18-20; Obad 15-17; Zeph 1:7-18; 2:2-3; Zech 14:1, 13, 20-21; Mal 4:1, 5; 1 Cor 1:8; 5:5; 2 Cor 1:14; 2 Thess 2:2; 2 Pet 3:10). It includes both blessings and curses, though the latter is emphasized here.

[5:2]  ¹¹ sn Jesus used a thief coming at night as an illustration of the unexpected and hostile nature of the coming of God’s judgment in the future. This is repeated in various ways in v. 4; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 3:3; 16:15.