1:5a

because: Paul described in 1:5–9 the basis for what he stated in 1:4, that is, Paul and his companions knew that God had chosen the Thessalonians because of all the things he was about to list in 1:5–9.

our gospel: When Paul talked about “our gospel,” he meant “the gospel that we preach.” He did not mean that his gospel was different from other people’s.

gospel: In the New Testament, the term gospel refers to the good news that God has made a way to save people by means of Jesus’ death.

came to you: Paul was referring to the fact that he and his companions came to Thessalonica and preached to the people there. The people to whom he was writing had heard and accepted the message that Paul preached.

1:5b

not only in word: This means that when Paul and his companions told the Thessalonians the good news about Jesus, they did not only preach words to them. The singular form of word refers to words in general.

1:5c

but also in power: Scholars do not agree about whether this means:

(1) That Paul and his companions preached powerfully,

(2) That the message had a powerful effect on the Thessalonians.

Although both of these options are undoubtedly true, the context of this verse suggests that the focus is on Paul’s preaching, not the response of the Thessalonians. So it is recommended that you follow the first option (1).

in the Holy Spirit: Scholars do not agree about how this phrase connects to the other phrases in this verse. There are four possibilities:

(1) It connects to the phrase “with power” above. This means that Paul and his companions preached powerfully because the Holy Spirit was working in them. For example:

in the power of the Holy Spirit (Revised English Bible)

(2) It connects with the phrase “and with great conviction” in 1:5d. This means that it was the Holy Spirit who produced the great conviction.

(3) It connects with both “with power” and “with great conviction.”

(4) The phrase is simply the second item in a list of three ways that the gospel came to the Thessalonians: it came (a) with power, (b) with the Holy Spirit, and (c) with deep conviction.

Most English versions are ambiguous. However, the majority of commentators support the first option (1). If you need to select one option in your translation, it is recommended that you also follow this option.Words alone would not have been enough to persuade the Thessalonians to believe in God and the Lord Jesus Christ. It required the Holy Spirit’s power to persuade them.

1:5d

and with great conviction: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as great conviction can also be translated “full assurance” or “complete certainty.” Biblical scholars do not agree to whom great conviction applied. There are two possibilities:

(1) It applied to Paul and his companions, who were fully convinced that their message was true.

(Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, Revised English Bible)

(2) It applied to the Thessalonians, who were convinced that the message was true.

(New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

It makes most sense to interpret this phrase in the same way as 1:5c. Not only did Paul and his companions preach powerfully because the Holy Spirit enabled them to do that, but also they were fully convinced that what they said was true. Therefore, it is recommended that you follow the first option (1).

1:5e

just as you know we lived among you: In the Greek text 1:2–5 is one long sentence. This clause (1:5e) in the Greek begins with kathōs, which the Berean Standard Bible has translated as just as. The Thessalonians had seen how Paul and his companions had behaved while they were in Thessalonica. Therefore, they knew that what Paul had just said in 1:5a–d was true. See 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12 for details about Paul’s time in Thessalonica.

for your sake: That is, “for your benefit.” Paul did not specify what “benefit” he meant here. So it is recommended that you use as general an expression as you can to translate this part of the verse. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in order to help you (New Century Version)
-or-
and how we helped you (Contemporary English Version)

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.