SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2002 – Page 9

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:11

2:11

For you know: The Greek phrase which the Berean Standard Bible translates as For you know is literally “just as you know.” Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

As you well know… (Revised English Bible)
-or-
As you know (New Revised Standard Version)

Paul now gave the Thessalonians some examples of the holy, righteous, and blameless way that he and his companions had behaved when they were in Thessalonica.

we treated each of you: The words we treated are not in the Greek text in 2:11. The Berean Standard Bible has included these words to make the connection with 2:10b clear. Most modern English versions add a similar verb and you will probably also need to do that.

as a father treats his own children: In 2:7, Paul had already compared himself and his companions to a mother who gently cared for her children. Here he compared himself and his companions to a father who teaches his children how to behave.

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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 4:12

4:12a

you will behave: This refers to the way the Thessalonians lived every day.

properly toward outsiders: The word outsiders refers to those who did not believe in the Lord Jesus. Not everything that believers do will please non-believers. But Paul was saying that believers must behave and work in ways that everyone recognized as the correct way to behave. For example, no one would respect a lazy person, so the believers should make sure they were not lazy.

4:12b

without being dependent on anyone: This refers back to the phrase in 4:11c, “and to work with your hands.” Those who worked would not need to ask others for food and drink. Here Paul is describing a second result that will happen if the Thessalonians behave as he told them to behave in 4:10–11. (The first result is in 4:12a.)

on anyone: The commentators do not agree about what the Greek word mēdenos, “nobody, nothing,” means here. There are two possibilities:

(1) It means “no one.” The meaning of 4:12b therefore is “so that you will be dependent on no one”.

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

(2) It means “nothing.” The meaning of 4:12b therefore is “so that you may need nothing”.

(King James Version, Revised English Bible, New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow the first interpretation (1), as it fits the context better, especially 4:11c.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:27

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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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 3:3

3:3a

so that none of you would be shaken: The Greek verb sainō, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as shaken, has two possible meanings:

(1) It means “disturbed, unsettled”.

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), NET Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), God’s Word, Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version)

(2) It means “deceived.” The Good News Translation has interpreted this to mean “turn back.”

Although the second meaning “deceive” is the most common meaning in Greek for this verb, in this context the first option (1) makes better sense and has the best support from commentaries and English versions, so it is recommended that you follow it in your translation.

by these trials: This phrase refers to the persecutions that the Thessalonian believers were suffering. The same Greek word was translated “suffering” in 1:6c.

3:3b

For you know: The Greek text say literally, “For you yourselves know.” These words show that Paul was again reminding the Thessalonians of what they already knew because he had taught it to them while he was in Thessalonica.

we are destined for this: The Greek verb keimai, which the Berean Standard Bible has translated as are destined, has many meanings. In this context it means “appointed, destined, ordained.” Paul did not say who had destined people for the trials of 3:3a, but he apparently meant that it was God. Make sure the word you choose to translate this verb does not give the impression that God is a dictator who, without good reason, likes to make people suffer. Here is another way to translate this clause:

such persecutions are part of God’s will for us (Good News Translation)

we: Here this refers to all Christians, not just Paul and his companions.

this: The word this refers to the “trials” in 3:3a.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:6

5:6a

So then: This introduces the clause that follows logically from 5:4–5. Paul was telling the Thessalonians that since they were sons of light and the day, they should not behave like unbelievers.

let us not sleep: This time Paul was not using sleep as a euphemism for “death.” Rather, he meant that unbelievers were like people who are sound asleep, unaware of what is happening. He was continuing the metaphor of a thief coming in the night (5:2b). Unbelievers are like a homeowner who is sleeping when the thief comes; they will not be ready when Jesus returns. However, Paul was warning believers not to be like this. They should be expecting Jesus to return. See also Matthew 25:1–13.

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

as the others do: Paul was warning all who claimed to be believers to behave as believers should and not like unbelievers who did not believe that Jesus would come again.

5:6b

but let us remain awake: This metaphor is the opposite of the one in 5:6a, so it means “we should be aware” that Jesus will return suddenly, and we should be ready for him. See Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:35–37.

sober: The Greek verb nēphō literally means “to be sober” and usually refers to not being drunk. However, in this context, many commentators agree that it does not just refer to avoiding being intoxicated. Rather, its meaning is extended to mean being self-controlled. Here is another way to translate this:

self-controlled (New International Version (2011 Revision))

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 1:10

1:10a

and to await His Son from heaven: This refers to the time when Jesus will return to earth. This is a theme in Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians. See 1 Thessalonians 3:13, 4:13–18, 5:1–3, and 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 for further explanation.

to await: In this context this expression implies “expecting with certainty that Jesus will return.” Here is another way to translate this expression:

to wait expectantly (Revised English Bible)

His Son: The phrase His Son refers to God’s Son, Jesus. “The Son of God” or “God’s Son” is a title that was often used to refer to a savior who would be a descendant of King David. God would send this savior to rescue his people. This person was often referred to as the “Messiah” or “Christ.”

The title “the Son of God” also indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. The relationship between God the Father and Jesus, his Son, is similar in some way to the relationship between human fathers and sons. But God the Father does not have a physical body. He did not have a sexual relationship with Mary that resulted in her becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus. The Son of God existed eternally as the Son with his Father.

In areas where people do not understand the title “the Son of God” in this way, you may want to include a footnote that explains the correct meaning. Here is a suggested footnote:

The title “his Son” or “the Son of God” refers to Jesus. It indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. It does not mean that God the Father had a sexual relationship with Mary that resulted in her becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus. Mary became pregnant with Jesus in a miraculous way by the Holy Spirit of God.

In some languages, it is natural to speak of a son as a “child,” without specifying male or female. If that is true in your language, you may use a more general term, such as:

his Child (A translation of the title “the Son of God” must include a familial term such as “son” or “child.” Translations such as “the man who is God,” “the divine man,” or “the God man” are not acceptable, since they do not retain familial language. Examples of acceptable translation options include “the Son who comes from God” and “the divine/unique/eternal Son of God.”)

Other verses will usually make clear that Jesus was a male child. If you use a phrase such as “his male child,” be sure that it does not imply that God had another child who was female.

heaven: The word heaven refers to the place where God lives. Many languages use the same term for “sky” and for heaven.

1:10c

our deliverer: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as deliverer is a present participle in Greek and therefore includes both the present and the future. Jesus is delivering his people now and he will deliver them in the future so that God will not punish them on the day when he judges all people.

from the coming wrath: This refers to God’s anger. Because God is holy, he is angry when people sin. Paul referred to this anger as coming because he was referring to the day when God will judge everyone. On that day God will show this anger and he will punish people who have sinned but have never repented and trusted in Jesus.

Paragraph 2:1–2

Paul reminded the Thessalonians about how he and his companions came to Thessalonica. Although people had persecuted them in Philippi and forced them to leave, God had helped them to have the courage to continue their journey to Thessalonica and preach the gospel there.

2:1

You yourselves know: In Greek, the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as You yourselves is emphatic. The word You contrasts with “they themselves” in 1:9a. Not only were other people talking about Paul’s visit to Thessalonica, but the Thessalonians themselves knew what had happened.

brothers: See the note on 1:4.

our visit to you: The Greek word eisodos, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as visit here, is the same word that it translated as “welcome” in 1:9a. It is most logical to translate the word the same way in both places. Nearly all commentators and English versions agree that here it means visit.

was not in vain: Rather than simply saying “our visit to you was a success,” Paul chose to make his statement stronger by using two negatives: not and in vain. This sort of figure of speech is called “litotes.” Paul wanted to emphasize that his visit had definitely had a good result. When he had preached the gospel, it had resulted in the Thessalonians believing in Jesus Christ. Paul was referring to 1:9, which says that many Thessalonians had stopped worshiping idols and had begun to serve God.

If you do not use litotes in your language to strengthen a statement, you may need to restate this part of the verse positively. For example:

You know, brothers, that our visit to you was a great success.
-or-
You know, brothers, that when we visited you, there were great results.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 4:2

4:2

For you know the instructions we gave you: This verse gives Paul’s reason for what he told the Thessalonians to do in 4:1c. That is, these were not new instructions, but ones he had already given them when he was in Thessalonica.

by the authority of the Lord Jesus: The commentators agree that this relates to the fact that Jesus had authorized Paul and his companions to teach people.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:17

5:17

Pray without ceasing: This does not mean that believers should pray many times a day or that they should do nothing but pray. Rather it means that believers should “keep on praying, be always ready to pray” instead of just doing so at set times or on special occasions.

without ceasing: The Greek word adialeiptōs, which means without ceasing or “continually,” is the word emphasized in this sentence. See the note on 5:15b above. You should emphasize this in your translation in the way that is natural in your language.

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2002

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:11

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 4:12

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:27

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 3:3

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:6

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 1:10

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 4:2

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:17

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