1 Thessalonians 1:6

1:6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received ¹  the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction.

1 Thessalonians 2:2

2:2 But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, ²  as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God ³  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, ⁴  for a short time (in presence, not in affection) ⁵  we became all the more fervent in our great desire ⁶  to see you in person. ⁷ 

1 Thessalonians 1:5

1:5 in that ⁸  our gospel did not come to you merely in words, ⁹  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). ¹⁰ 

[1:6]  ¹ tn Or “after you received.”

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

[2:2]  ³ 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]  ³ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:4.

[2:17]  ⁴ tn Grk “in face, not in heart.”

[2:17]  ⁵ tn Grk “with great desire.”

[2:17]  ⁶ tn Grk “to see your face.”

[1:5]  ⁴ tn Or “because.”

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

[1:5]  ⁶ 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.