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 Thessalonians 2:1

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

2:1 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, ⁸  about our coming to you – it has not proven to be purposeless. ⁹ 

1 Thessalonians 2:11

2:11 As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his own children,

1 Thessalonians 3:3-4

3:3 so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 3:4 For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know. ¹⁰ 

1 Thessalonians 2:2

2:2 But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, ¹¹  as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God ¹²  in spite of much opposition.

1 Thessalonians 2:17

Forced Absence from Thessalonica

2:17 But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, ¹³  for a short time (in presence, not in affection) ¹⁴  we became all the more fervent in our great desire ¹⁵  to see you in person. ¹⁶ 

1 Thessalonians 3:10

3:10 We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person ¹⁷  and make up what may be lacking in your faith.

1 Thessalonians 5:12

Final Instructions

5:12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, ¹⁸  to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you,

1 Thessalonians 1:5

1:5 in that ¹⁹  our gospel did not come to you merely in words, ²⁰  but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you). ²¹ 

1 Thessalonians 3:6

3:6 But now Timothy has come ²²  to us from you and given us the good news of your faith and love and that you always think of us with affection ²³  and long to see us just as we also long to see you! ²⁴ 

[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.

[2:1]  ¹³ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:4.

[2:1]  ¹⁴ tn Grk “has not become empty.” Paul is defending himself against the charge that he lacked earnestness and personal concern for them, but appeared in their city out of greed or egotism. In his defense he appeals to what they recall of his ministry and what has become of it since he left, all of which demonstrates his God-given earnestness and effectiveness.

[3:4]  ¹⁶ tn Grk “just as it also occurred and you know.”

[2:2]  ¹⁹ map For location see JP1 C1; JP2 C1; JP3 C1; JP4 C1.

[2:2]  ²⁰ tn The genitive in the phrase τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ θεοῦ (to euangelion tou qeou, “the gospel of God”) could be translated as either a subjective genitive (“the gospel which God brings”) or an objective genitive (“the gospel about God”). Either is grammatically possible. This is possibly an instance of a plenary genitive (see ExSyn 119-21; M. Zerwick, Biblical Greek, §§36-39). If so, an interplay between the two concepts is intended: The gospel which God brings is in fact the gospel about himself. This same phrase occurs in vv. 8 and 9 as well.

[2:17]  ²² tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:4.

[2:17]  ²³ tn Grk “in face, not in heart.”

[2:17]  ²⁴ tn Grk “with great desire.”

[2:17]  ²⁵ tn Grk “to see your face.”

[3:10]  ²⁵ tn Grk “to see your face.”

[5:12]  ²⁸ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:4.

[1:5]  ³¹ tn Or “because.”

[1:5]  ³² tn Or “speech,” or “an act of speaking.”

[1:5]  ³³ tn Grk “just as you know what sort of people we were among you for your sakes.” Verse 5 reflects on the experience of Paul and his fellow preachers; v. 6 begins to describe the Thessalonians’ response.

[3:6]  ³⁴ tn Grk “but now Timothy having come,” a subordinate clause leading to the main clause of v. 7.

[3:6]  ³⁵ tn Grk “you have a good remembrance of us always.”

[3:6]  ³⁶ tn Grk “just as also we you.”