3:4a

Indeed: This translates the Greek phrase kai gar, which literally means “and for.” Many English versions translate it “for.” Paul used this phrase to show that 3:4a was the reason for his statement in 3:3b. That is, the Thessalonians knew they were destined to be persecuted because Paul and his companions had told them so.

we kept warning you: The Greek verb prolegō, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as warning, means “to foretell, to tell something before it happens.” The Berean Standard Bible has left implicit the idea of “before it happens,” as this is clear from the context. In your translation, do not use a word that means divination or prophecy or a warning not to do something. Paul had told the Thessalonians that they would suffer because that is what happens to all Christians.

The form of the Greek verb suggests that Paul and his companions had told the Thessalonians this several times. This is why the Berean Standard Bible has translated it as kept warning.

3:4b

that we would suffer persecution: The Greek verb mellō followed by a second verb (in this case suffer persecution) means that the second action is inevitable, something that is certain to happen.

we: This refers to all believers, not just Paul and his companions.

3:4c

it has come to pass: The Thessalonian believers had already experienced persecution for their faith, so they knew that believers suffer because they obey God.

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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.