SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2002 – Page 10

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:12

2:12a

In some Greek manuscripts this part of 2:12 is part of 2:11. Some English versions, such as the Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, and God’s Word, similarly include 2:12a in 2:11. You should follow the English or national language version that is most common in your area.

encouraging you, comforting you: The two Greek verbs here, parakaleō and paramutheomai, have similar meanings. They both include the meanings “to encourage, exhort, comfort.” If you have two similar words you can use here, you should do so. Otherwise, you can use a single term.

and urging you: The Greek word marturomai, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as urging, has a different meaning from the other two verbs in this part of the verse. It means “telling someone how necessary or important it is to do a particular thing.” Here is another way to translate this in English:

insist (NET Bible)

The form of all three of these verbs in Greek (they are present participles) mean that these were actions that happened continually. Paul and his companions continued encouraging, comforting, and urging the Thessalonians.

to walk in a manner worthy of God: This means “to behave in such a way that God would be pleased that you are members of his kingdom.” Paul uses the verb walk to describe how people behave. See also 4:1a, where the Berean Standard Bible translates this word as “live.”

2:12b

who calls you into His own kingdom and glory: In Greek there is a textual problem with this part of the verse. The King James Version has followed the manuscripts that have a past tense verb here: “who hath called.” However, the best manuscripts have a present participle that the Berean Standard Bible translates with a continuous present tense who calls. It is strongly recommended that you follow these manuscripts. All other English versions also use a present tense here.

This form of the verb literally means “the one calling, the caller.” Paul used this verb form to focus on one of two things:

(1) It focuses on the fact that God is the one who calls people into his kingdom. The verb then does not have any particular time/tense. God calls new people every day.

(2) It focuses on God continuously calling the Thessalonians. He called them originally when they became Christians but went on calling them every day to new aspects of their Christian life.

It is not possible to know which of these aspects Paul was concentrating on here. In your translation you have two options:

• Use a continuous present tense, as most English versions have done: “who calls you.”

• In some languages it may be possible to use a nominal form: “the caller of you.”

calls you into: In some languages it may not be possible to say “call into something.” The UBS Handbook handbook suggests a verb such as “invite,” and the SSA suggests “summon.” It may also be necessary to include an additional verb here. Here is another way to translate this:

who calls you to share in (Good News Translation)

His own kingdom and glory: There are two ways to understand this:

(1) God called the Thessalonians to share in two things: His own kingdom and His own…glory.

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, Good News Translation, God’s Word, King James Version, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version)

(2) This could be interpreted as a hendiadys. This means that the second noun, glory, modifies the first noun, kingdom. This would then be translated “his glorious kingdom”.

(New Century Version, SSA)

Although the structure of this part of the verse in Greek gives some support to the second option, many commentators prefer the first option. This means that God’s kingdom and his glory are two related, yet separate, things that the Thessalonians could expect to share in if they behaved in a way that was worthy of God (2:12a). It therefore is recommended that you follow the first option (1).

The expectation of sharing in God’s kingdom and glory would also be an encouragement to continue believing despite persecution. Compare with Paul’s words in Romans 8:18.

kingdom: In this context, this does not refer to a geographical region, but to God’s rule over his people. To share in God’s kingdom then means “to be the people over whom God will rule.”

glory: In this context, to share God’s glory means to share his greatness/majesty.

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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.

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Section 4:13–5:11

Paul taught about when the Lord Jesus would return

Paul explained that when the Lord Jesus returns, God will cause both the Christians who have died and those who will still be alive to ascend to meet the Lord Jesus in the sky. He also explained how the Thessalonians should behave as they waited for the Lord to return.

Paragraph 4:13–18

While Paul was in Thessalonica, he had probably taught the Thessalonians that Jesus would soon return, and the Thessalonians may have assumed that they would all survive until then. But as time passed, some of them died. Those who remained alive had begun to worry whether those believers who had died would see Jesus return. This is the issue Paul was addressing in this paragraph.

4:13a

Brothers: See the note on 1:4.

we do not want you to be uninformed: It may be more natural in your language to translate this as a strong positive sentence. For example:

We want you to know (New Century Version)
-or-
We want you to be quite certain (New Jerusalem Bible)

about those who sleep in death: Paul was not talking about actual sleep here. He was using a polite way to speak about dying. The Berean Standard Bible has added the words in death to make this clear. In your translation, use the common word for dying or an appropriate polite expression.

4:13b

so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope: Paul was not saying that the relatives of a dead person should not mourn or perform a funeral. Rather, he was saying that they should not grieve in the hopeless way that unbelievers grieve. Because believers know that other believers who die will become alive again, while they may still grieve for them, they do not grieve as people do who are without hope.

like the rest: This phrase refers to unbelievers.

who are without hope: Unbelievers do not believe that they will live again on earth or that they will be with Jesus. See the note in 1:3d on the word hope. In this verse it also means “being certain.” Paul did not doubt at all that Christians would live again one day after Christ returned. It may be necessary in some languages to say what the unbelievers were not certain about. One way to make this clear would be:

who do not confidently expect to live again after they die as you believers expect to do (see SSA)

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 3:4

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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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:7

5:7a

For: The Greek conjunction gar, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as For, has a number of functions. Here it indicates that Paul was amplifying what he had just said in 5:6. In many languages it may not be necessary to translate the conjunction here.

those who sleep, sleep at night: Here Paul was stating something that is obviously true: “people usually sleep at night.” He was probably continuing the metaphors of “sleep” and “night” that he had already used in this chapter.

at night: The Greek word nuktos, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as at night, is emphasized in Greek. Show this emphasis in a natural way in your language. For example:

It is at night when people sleep (Good News Translation)

5:7b

those who get drunk, get drunk at night: Paul was once more stating what people knew to be true, that usually people become drunk and behave badly during the night, after dark. This introduces Paul’s next point in 5:8, that since Christians “belong to the day,” they should be self-controlled and not behave like unbelievers.

at night: As in 5:7a, the Greek word nuktos, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as at night, is emphasized in Greek. Show this emphasis in a natural way in your language. For example:

it is at night when they get drunk (Good News Translation)

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:2

2:2a

In the Greek text, the conjunction alla (“but”) actually occurs at the beginning of the verse. Versions such as the English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, and NET Bible place it there. This makes it clear that what Paul was about to say in 2:2 connects to 2:1. Paul was saying that his visit had not been a failure but, on the contrary, it had been a success because, despite persecution, he had still preached in Thessalonica. However, other versions, including the Berean Standard Bible and the Contemporary English Version, New International Version (2011 Revision), and New Living Translation (2004 Revision), place this conjunction before 2:2b-c. This indicates the contrast between Paul’s boldness and the persecution that could have made him afraid. Place this conjunction where it would be natural in your language.

If you translated 2:1 using litotes, you could use an expression such as “on the contrary” here. If, however, you used a positive statement, you will need to use a word such as “indeed” to link the two verses.

As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi: See Acts 16:16–40 for details of Paul’s suffering at Philippi.

2:2b

in the face of strong opposition: The Greek is literally “in much struggle.” Most commentators and versions agree that Paul was referring to the people who had opposed him and tried to stop him preaching everywhere he went.

2:2c

we were bold in our God to speak to you: It was God who had enabled Paul and his companions to preach boldly in Thessalonica, even after they had been persecuted in Philippi.

our God: In some languages, using a possessive such as “our” with God might imply that God was in some sense possessed or owned. Clearly this is not the meaning here, since God cannot be owned by anyone. In other languages it might mean that Paul’s God was only one God among many. This is also not true, because Paul’s God is the only God. The meaning is “God whom we worship/serve.”

the gospel of God: God is the source of the good news concerning Jesus Christ. So you could translate the phrase the gospel of God as “the good news that God gave” or “the good news that came from God.”

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 4:3

4:3

Verses 4:3–6 are one sentence in the Greek text. You will probably need to use several sentences in your translation, as many English versions have done. All four verses, however, deal with the same topic, that is, instructions to avoid being sexually immoral.

4:3a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For shows that what Paul was about to give was a specific example of what he had instructed them while he was in Thessalonica. Many English versions have chosen to leave this conjunction implied. Introduce this verse in a natural way in your language.

that you should be holy: To be holy means “to be sanctified” or “to be set apart for God.” Most commentators agree that in this verse Paul was referring to “becoming sanctified/holy” rather than “being set apart for God.”

4:3b

You must abstain from sexual immorality: Here Paul gave one specific example of morally impure behavior. The Greek word porneia, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as sexual immorality, is a general term that means any kind of sexual immorality, that is, any kind of sexual act other than that between a man and his wife.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:18

5:18a

Give thanks in every circumstance: Paul instructed the Thessalonians that whether good things or bad things should happen to them, they should still thank God. He did not say what they should thank God for, and you should not try to explain this in your translation.

in every circumstance: The emphasis in this command is on the Greek phrase en panti, literally “in every thing.” See the note on 5:15b above. You should emphasize this in your translation in the way that is natural in your language.

5:18b

for: Paul now gives the grounds for the previous three commands: Since it is God’s will that they should do so, the Thessalonians should be joyful, pray, and give thanks.

this: The majority of commentators say that this refers to the previous three commands: 5:16, 5:17, and 5:18a.

in Christ Jesus: It is not clear which part of the verse this phrase is connected to. There are two possibilities:

(1) It is connected to “God’s will.” Most commentators support this interpretation, but they do not agree on what it means here. One possibility is that what Christ taught and how he behaved shows Christians that they should obey all the commands in 5:16–18a.

(2) It is connected to “you” and therefore means that these things are what God wants them, people who belong to Christ Jesus, to do.

(Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

It is most likely that the first option is grammatically correct, but it is still not easy to decide what the meaning is. If possible, you should avoid being too specific in your translation. However, if it is necessary to make information explicit here, you could translate 5:18b as follows:

because all these things are what God has shown you (plur) that he wants you to do through the way Christ Jesus behaved when he was on earth.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Section 2:13–16

Paul again thanked God for the way the Thessalonians had accepted the gospel

Paul also thanked God that the new Thessalonian believers had accepted the message that he and his companions taught them as words that truly came from God. The result was that other Thessalonians caused them to suffer just as fellow Jews had caused the new believers in Judea to suffer. Furthermore, Jews had also killed Jesus and the prophets before him. The Jews had also persecuted Paul and his companions and tried to stop them from telling non-Jews how they could be saved. Because the Jews had continued to sin greatly for a long period of time, God would soon punish them.

Paragraph 2:13–16

2:13a

And we continually thank God because: This new section resumes the theme of thanking God that ended at 1 Thessalonians 1:10. In this verse Paul wrote additional reasons to thank God for the way that the Thessalonians had accepted the gospel.

because: In this verse Paul gave another reason why he thanked God for the Thessalonians, that is, he thanked God because they had accepted his preaching as a message from God.

2:13b

when you received the word of God: Notice that this is not the main clause of the verse but a temporal clause that gives the time when the main event (2:13c) occurred.

the word of God: In this verse this phrase is not referring to the Bible but to Paul’s message. It was “a message from God,” “a message that originated with God.”

2:13c

the word of men: In contrast to “the word of God” in 2:13b, this refers to a message that some person has invented.

men: As in 2:4b, the Greek word anthropos, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as men, is a word that means humans beings, male and female. It is not limited to males.

2:13d-e

the true word of God … which: In the Greek text it is not clear to whom or what this refers. There are two possibilities:

(1) It refers to “the word of God.” This is the interpretation accepted by most commentators and English versions.

(2) It refers directly to “God.” It would therefore be translated “who” rather than “which.” For example:

For God is at work in you (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow the first option (1) as do most versions and commentators. God used his word / message to “work in” the Thessalonians.

2:13e

is now at work in you who believe: This means that the word of God was affecting the way that the Thessalonians were behaving and thinking. In some languages it is not possible to talk about a message “working.” If this is true in your language you could say, “God is using his message that we are preaching to cause you to behave more in the manner that pleases him.”

who believe: In this verse Paul did not give an object for the verb “believe,” so it is not clear exactly what he was referring to. There are four possibilities:

(1) Jesus Christ

(2) God

(3) both God and Jesus

(4) the gospel

If you can leave the verb “believe” without an object in your translation, you should do so. However, if you cannot do this, it is recommended that you use Jesus Christ as the object of the verb, as this is supported by most commentaries.

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2002

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:12

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 4:13

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 3:4

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:7

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:2

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 4:3

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:18

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:13

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