1:6a

After all: In Greek, this verse begins with eiper, which means “since.” The Berean Standard Bible translates this term as After all. As the majority of commentators agree, this word connects the first clause in 1:6, “it is only right for God,” to the end of 1:5. It provides the basis for what Paul said in 1:5b–c. Some translations have left this connection implicit.

it is only right for God: The rest of the sentence (1:6–7a), as all versions express or imply, states how God would show that he was just, that is, he would pay back trouble to those who troubled the Thessalonians and he would relieve those who were being troubled.

1:6b

to repay with affliction those who afflict you: The first way God would show that he was just was by causing those who troubled the Thessalonians to suffer the same troubles/trials as they had caused the Thessalonians. Paul made this clear by using two related words (both translated as forms of the word affliction in the Berean Standard Bible). The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates affliction in the expression repay with affliction is the same word as was translated “affliction” in 1:4b.

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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.