5:27

I charge you: The verb enorkizō, which the Berean Standard Bible has translated as charge, is a verb used for making people take an oath or make a solemn promise to do something. Another way to translate it would be: “I ask you to solemnly promise…” Paul was ordering the Thessalonians to do something, not asking them to do it.

before the Lord: There are two possible interpretations of this expression in this context:

(1) It was a standard expression for making an oath. See Mark 5:7, which contains a similar construction. This would mean that Paul was saying: “I ask you to promise me in the name of the Lord Jesus that you will….” This would then make the Thessalonians accountable to the Lord Jesus.

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version)

(2) It means that it was the Lord who authorized Paul to give this command.

(Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

Either of these is possible, but as the phrase is used in the context of an oath, it is recommended that you follow the first option (1).

the Lord: This probably refers to Jesus here.

to have this letter read to all the brothers: Paul was concerned that not just the people who received the letter read it, but that all the believers would hear the contents. What Paul taught was for all the believers in Thessalonica.

brothers: See the note on 1:4.

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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.