SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2002 – Page 3

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:17

Section 2:17–3:5

Paul explained that he wanted very much to visit the Thessalonians again

Paragraph 2:17–20

In these verses Paul affirmed that he and his companions had felt distressed because they had had to leave Thessalonica suddenly. He explained how they had tried to revisit the Thessalonian believers, but Satan had prevented them from doing that.

2:17a

This verse begins with a Greek conjunction (de) that is often translated as “But” (see the New International Version (2011 Revision)). This conjunction does not introduce a contrast with the previous verse. Instead, it indicates that Paul was changing from the topic of what the Jews did to him and his companions to a new topic. The new topic was how he and his companions felt when they had to leave Thessalonica. Some English versions, including the Berean Standard Bible, do not translate this conjunction. Introduce this verse in a natural way in your language.

Brothers: See the note on 1:4.

although we were torn away from you: See Acts 17:1–10. Local Jews had persecuted Paul and his companions and forced them to leave Thessalonica hurriedly. The passive form of the Greek verb aporphanizō is used here. While the Berean Standard Bible translates it as torn away, it literally means “to be orphaned,” that is, to lose both parents by them dying. However, in this context this word is used figuratively and means “to be separated from.” Paul probably used the term to express how sad he felt because he had to leave Thessalonica suddenly and be separated from the Thessalonians.

for a short time: A short time after Paul left Thessalonica, he began to desire to see the Thessalonians again. We do not know how long this time was, so you should try to avoid using a precise time word in your translation.

2:17b

(in person, not in heart): The Greek uses an idiom here which literally means: “in face, not in heart.” Paul meant that, although he and his companions were not physically present in Thessalonica, they continually thought about the believers there. You might have an idiom in your language that has this meaning. If not, one way to translate the verse is:

we ourselves were not with you, but we were always thinking about you (UBS Handbook Handbook, page 48)

This part of the verse is a parenthesis that further describes the verb “torn away” in 2:17a.

2:17c

our desire to see you face to face was even more intense: The Greek verb spoudazō, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as was…more intense, can mean one of two things:

(1) “to make a great effort, to try very strongly”.

(New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, King James Version, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004 Revision)).

(2) “to be very eager, to want very much”.

(Berean Standard Bible, NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, SSA)

It is recommended that you follow the first option (1), as it fits the immediate context of 2:18, where Paul explained further how hard he had tried to see the Thessalonians again.

face to face: Here Paul uses the same idiom he used in 2:17b. He means that he wanted to be physically present with the Thessalonians. Consider translating this phrase as you translated the similar phrase in 2:17b.

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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 4:18

4:18

Therefore: This word indicates that this verse is Paul’s final remark on this subject he discussed in 4:14–17. Here is another way to translate this word:

Because all this is true

encourage one another: The form of the Greek verb parakaleō, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as encourage, indicates a continuing action. So it is best translated as “continue encouraging” or “continually encourage.”

with these words: This refers to the whole message of 4:14–17. Paul was not telling the Thessalonians to repeat these words exactly to one another, but to remind each other about what he had said in 4:14–17, that is, that all believers, whether they had already died or were still alive when Christ returned, would meet him together.

(1) There is no real difference in meaning between the two words, and the whole expression is an idiom for “the day of the Lord” (see 5:2b).

(2) There is a difference between the two words. The word chronoi (times) refers to “duration of time.” The word kairoi (seasons) refers to “the significant events that happen before Jesus will return.” Here is one way to translate this possible sense of the expression:

times and occasions (Good News Translation)

It is not easy to decide between these two opinions. However, in this passage Paul’s main subject was “the day of the Lord.” So it is logical to assume that here he was referring to the time when the day of the Lord would occur. It is therefore recommended that you follow the first option (1).

brothers: See the note on 1:4.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 1:5

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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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 3:9

3:9a

How can we adequately thank God for you: This is the beginning of a rhetorical question that in Greek continues to the end of 3:10. What Paul was really saying was: “We cannot adequately thank God for you.” It is an emphatic statement. Translate it as a rhetorical question only if it is natural in your language and if it will convey the correct meaning.

3:9b

in return for our great joy over you: By continuing to believe firmly in Christ, the Thessalonians had caused Paul to rejoice.

in His presence: When Paul prayed, he considered that God was present.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:12

Section 5:12–22

Paul gave more instructions about how to please God

In this section Paul gave a list of some very important instructions. He returned to the topic he had started in 4:12, the topic of how Christians should behave.

Paragraph 5:12–13

The first instruction Paul gave was that the Thessalonians were to respect and honor their church leaders.

5:12a

But: The Berean Standard Bible has used the word But to signal a new unit in the text, in this case, a new section. You should not translate it literally but use the appropriate method your language uses to signal a new section. This may be a special grammatical form, a specific word, or maybe nothing at all.

brothers: See the note on 1:4.

to acknowledge: The Greek verb oida, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as acknowledge, literally means “to know,” but it has a wide range of other meanings. In this context it means “to respect, esteem, appreciate.”

those who work diligently among you: Paul told the Thessalonians that they should respect their leaders not just because of their status as leaders but because of the way they worked to benefit all the believers in Thessalonica. Paul did not specify in this part of the verse what sort of work he was referring to. He was probably using a general expression here that he explained more fully in 5:12b–c.

It is important to notice that here and in 5:12b–c Paul used three expressions to describe the same group of people, the leaders of the believers in Thessalonica. He was not talking about three different groups. Make sure your translation makes this clear.

5:12b

who preside over you: The Greek verb proistēmi, which the Berean Standard Bible translates by the expression preside over, is often used to talk about leaders and the work they do. It can be translated as the Berean Standard Bible has done. Other possibilities are:

who direct/guide you
-or-
who are your leaders

in the Lord: Scholars do not agree about what this phrase means here. There are two main possibilities:

(1) It means leaders “in spiritual matters.” For example:

in the Lord’s fellowship (Revised English Bible)
-or-
in the Christian life (Good News Translation)

(2) It means that it was the Lord who had authorized the leaders.

It is recommended that you follow the first option (1), as it is supported by most commentators.

5:12c

give you instruction: The Greek word noutheteō, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as give…instruction, can mean:

(1) It means “to admonish, warn.”

(New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, King James Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision)).

(2) It means “to advise, instruct.”

(Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, God’s Word, New Century Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, The Jerusalem Bible).

It is difficult to decide between these two meanings here, as the meaning is usually determined by the context (for example in 5:14a, where it clearly means “warn”), but the context here does not assist the translator. However, the majority of commentators favor the first option because of the wider context, and it is recommended that you also translate this verb as “to admonish, warn.”

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:7

2:7

nursing mother: The Greek word trophos, which the Berean Standard Bible (like many other English versions) translates as nursing mother, is not the normal Greek word for “mother.” It refers specifically to a woman who feeds a child from her breast. Usually this is the mother of a child, but in some cultures this can be another woman. So some English versions (King James Version, Revised Standard Version, and Revised English Bible) use the word “nurse.” However, in modern English, this word only refers to a person who works in a hospital, which is not the meaning here. Therefore, it is recommended that you translate this word as “mother” unless you have a special term with exactly the same meaning as the Greek word.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 4:8

4:8a

then: The Greek word toigaroun, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as then, indicates that this is Paul’s conclusion to 4:3–7. Here is another way to translate this transition word:

Therefore (New International Version (2011 Revision))

does not reject man but God: Paul was emphasizing that what he was telling the Thessalonians here was not something that he or anyone else had invented. It was something that God had revealed to him.

4:8b

who gives you His Holy Spirit: Paul’s point was that the Thessalonians must behave in a holy manner, since God had put his Holy Spirit in them. His Spirit is holy/pure, so they too must be holy/pure. If relative clauses are only used in your language to identify something or someone, using a relative clause here would suggest that Paul was just identifying which God gives the Holy Spirit. In that case, you will have to use another grammatical construction to provide this extra information about God. One way to do this would be to use a separate sentence, as the Display has done.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Section 5:23–28

Paul prayed that God would bless the Thessalonians

Paragraph 5:23–24

To conclude his letter, Paul prayed that God would make the Thessalonian believers completely pure in all that they believed and did. He assured them that God would enable them to do this.

5:23a

Now: The Berean Standard Bible has used the English word Now as an idiomatic way of beginning this verse. Be careful not to translate this literally as a time word, as it is not referring to “the present time.”

the God of peace: This phrase means that God is the source of peace, that is, that God is the one who causes people to be peaceful.

peace: The New Testament speaks about different sorts of peace, for example:

(a) Peace between individuals.

(b) Peace between God and people.

However, most commentators agree here that Paul was using the Greek word eirēnē as he would have used the Hebrew word šalom. He therefore meant all the blessings, physical and spiritual, that God gives to his people. See the note on 1:1d.

Paul used this phrase in other letters; see Romans 15:33, 16:20; Philippians 4:9. It is also used in Hebrews 13:20. You should translate the phrase in the same way in each of these verses.

Himself: The Greek word autos, Himself, is often used to emphasize something. However, that is not true in this verse. It is just a usual opening for a prayer in Greek that asks God to do something for someone.

5:23b

sanctify: This word means “to make holy/pure.” See the note on “holy” in 3:13b and 4:3a. Paul explained more fully what he meant in 5:23c.

completely: This means that Paul wanted God to sanctify the Thessalonians in every part of their lives.

5:23c

and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Some commentators suggest that this sentence is the desired result of 5:23b. It is more likely, however, that Paul was expanding what he had said in 5:23b. He wanted the believers at Thessalonica to behave in a righteous manner so that when Christ returned, he would not be able to criticize or accuse them because of anything they had done. However, Paul knew that only God could help them behave like that.

spirit, soul, and body: This is the only place in the New Testament where such a distinction is made. Paul probably used all three to emphasize that a person is a whole being, rather than because he intended to distinguish the three terms. If your language does not make a similar three-way distinction, it may be helpful to distinguish at least between the body and the part of a person that continues to live after the body dies. The important thing in your translation is to show that everything Christians do must be pleasing to God.

blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Paul was praying that God would enable them to be blameless from the present time until the Lord Jesus returned, so that when Jesus returned, he would judge them as having done nothing for which they deserved to be punished. See the notes on 3:13b and 3:13c.

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2002

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:17

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 4:18

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 1:5

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 3:9

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:12

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:7

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 4:8

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:23

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