SIL Translator’s Notes on 2 Thessalonians 2002

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Thessalonians 3:6

Section 3:6–15

Paul warned those among the Thessalonian believers who were lazy and told them that they should work

It seems that there were some believers in Thessalonica who had stopped working. This was probably because they thought the Lord Jesus was going to come back soon or that the Lord Jesus had already come back (see 2 Thessalonians 2:2). Therefore they had decided that there was no point in continuing to work. Paul warned people not to behave in this way. He reminded them how he and his companions had worked for their food when they stayed at Thessalonica so that they would not burden the other believers there. They did this in order to be a good example for the Thessalonians to follow, even though as apostles they had the right to be supported. Paul had already mentioned those who would not work in 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 and 5:14. But it seems that that warning had not had any effect.

Paragraph 3:6–10

3:6

This is a long sentence in the Greek text. You may need to divide it into several sentences in your translation.

3:6a

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: This is a strong command or warning. Paul used this full expression to show that this was not just a command from himself, it had the full authority of the Lord Jesus.

brothers: See the note on 1:3a.

3:6b

to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life: Paul was warning the Thessalonians that they should not associate with undisciplined people among the believers. It probably means that they should avoid eating with them or meeting them socially. Paul said more about this in 3:14c and 3:15a.

He did not mean that the Thessalonian believers should refuse to let these people attend meetings or exclude them completely. Avoid using a term that would make your readers think that this was what Paul was saying.

any brother who leads an undisciplined life: The word ataktōs, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as undisciplined, is related to the word used in 1 Thessalonians 5:14a. It usually means “disorderly.” As was discussed there, commentators suggest two possible meanings for the word, and the same problem occurs here. The two possibilities are:

(1) It refers to a specific form of disorderliness, that of being idle. Paul was therefore referring to a group of Thessalonian believers who had stopped working because they thought that Christ would return very soon. See 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12.

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

(2) The word should be understood literally and, therefore, refers to those who were unruly or disorderly, that is, they refused to obey or respect their leaders.

(King James Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, God’s Word)

The commentators are evenly divided between these two views. However, it is clear from the rest of this section that idleness was a real problem among the believers at Thessalonica. Therefore, it is recommended that you follow the first option (1). Related words occur in 3:7b and 3:11a, so make sure you translate them the same way.

brother: Even if you normally translate the term brother (when referring to a Christian brother) using a kinship term, in this context it may be better to translate it “believer.”

3:6c

the tradition: The Greek word paradosis , which the Berean Standard Bible translates as tradition, is the same word that Paul used in 2:15b. It refers to something passed down from one generation to another. Paul used the word to emphasize that what he had taught the Thessalonians was not just his own ideas but something that had been passed on to him from Jesus and that he in turn was passing on to them.

you received from us: There is a textual problem with this part of the verse (In the United Bible Societies Greek New Testament, the evidence is fairly evenly balanced for the two readings “you” and “they.” It is more likely, however, that parelabosan is the original. See the discussion in the SSA for more details.):

(1) Some Greek manuscripts have the word parelabete (you received). This is followed by most English translations.

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

(2) Other Greek manuscripts have parelabosan, “they received.”

(Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version)

There is no great difference in meaning between the two possibilities. It is therefore recommended that you follow the majority of English versions and use the second person plural pronoun “you” to make it clear that everyone in Thessalonica had received the same teaching from Paul and his companions and that it was not just something that had been given to the lazy people.

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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 2 Thessalonians 1:1

Section 1:1–2

Paul greeted the believers in the town of Thessalonica

The way Paul began this letter is similar to the way he began many of his letters. Compare 2 Thessalonians 1:1–2 with 1 Thessalonians 1:1.

1:1a

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy: Paul was the author of the letter, but he added the names of Silvanus and Timothy because they had been with him when he went to Thessalonica and were also greeting the Thessalonians.

Silvanus: Like Paul himself, Silvanus had two names: Silvanus and Silas. Silvanus was probably the Latin form of the Hebrew name Silas. At the beginning of 1 and 2 Thessalonians and 1 Peter, the Latin form “Silvanus” is used in the original Greek text (see Revised Standard Version). However, Luke used “Silas” when he wrote about him in Acts. The important thing, when you are translating these passages, is to make sure that your readers know that Silvanus and Silas were the same person. Many modern English versions do this by only using the name “Silas” in the text (as New International Version (2011 Revision) and Good News Translation have done) and having a footnote to say that the Greek text has “Silvanus.” Another possibility would be to use Silvanus in your translation and use a footnote to explain that he was the same person as Silas of Acts.

1:1b

To the church of the Thessalonians: There is no verb in the Greek text of this verse. It may be more natural in your language to include a verb such as “write,” for example,

I, Paul, along with Timothy and Silas write to the church of the Thessalonians…

the church of the Thessalonians: The Greek word ekklēsia, which is often translated as church in English, never refers to a building but to a group of Christians who met together to worship God. See the note on 1 Thessalonians 1:1b.

1:1c

in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: This is identical to the corresponding phrase in 1 Thessalonians 1:1c, except that Paul here said “our Father” rather than “the Father.”

in: The word in, where it relates to a person (for example, “in God…”), is one of the most difficult words to translate accurately and naturally, because its meaning depends on the context. Here it means “those who have a special relationship with God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Here are some other ways to translate this:

those who are united with God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (God’s Word)
-or-
those who belong to God and the Lord Jesus Christ (Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Revised English Bible)

our Father: As noted above, the one difference between this phrase and 1 Thessalonians 1:1c is that Paul says our here rather than “the.” If you needed to translate 1 Thessalonians 1:1c as “our Father,” these two verses will be identical in your translation. However, if you were able to translate “the Father” literally in 1 Thessalonians 1:1c, then you will need to allow for the difference here.

the Lord: This is translated from the Greek word kurios, which means “master,” “chief” or “leader.” It is a title that indicates respect and has a positive meaning. The Greek word kurios nearly always refers to Christ in the New Testament, though sometimes it refers to God or a human being. In some languages it is not possible to say “the Lord” without saying whose Lord is being referred to. It may always be necessary to say “our Lord” or “my Lord.” If this is the case in your language, you should use the possessive pronoun “our^(incl) .”

Jesus Christ: In this letter, as in most letters in the New Testament, Christ is not used as a title. Rather, it had become a proper name. It is often coupled with Jesus: Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus. You should transliterate these words, Jesus Christ, in this letter, as do almost all English translations.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Thessalonians 2:4

2:4a

He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship: When the Wicked Person (“man of lawlessness”) comes, he will be against every existing religion, no matter what kind. He will also claim to be more important than any idols or other false gods that people worship. (He will also oppose the one, true God, the only one who deserves worship. See 2:4b.) His purpose will be to ensure that all worship should be directed toward him alone.

every so-called god or object of worship: This refers to any sort of idol or false god.

2:4b

So: The Greek word hōste (So), with which 2:4b begins, indicates that this part of the verse is the result of 2:4a.

in the temple of God: Commentators do not agree about what the temple of God refers to here, but it would be best to translate temple with the term you normally use for the temple in Jerusalem.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Thessalonians 3:7

3:7a

For: This word introduces the grounds for the command in 3:6, that is, since Paul and his companions were a good example to the Thessalonians by working for their own food (3:7–9), the Thessalonians should avoid those who were idle (and not like Paul and his companions). Paul gives further grounds for his command in 3:10a and 3:10b.

to imitate us: This refers to the way Paul and his companions had behaved while they were in Thessalonica. It may be necessary to include this implied information in your translation. This has been done in the second Meaning Line in the Display.

3:7b

because we were not undisciplined among you: In Greek, 3:7b begins with hoti. This is a word that has a number of different uses. In this context it can mean one of two things:

(1) It introduces a specific example of the behavior the Thessalonians ought to imitate, that is, Paul and his companions not being lazy. This could be translated in English as “that is.” Perhaps you have a word or phrase in your language which means this. The English versions that omit the word probably also follow this option.

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

(2) hoti means “because” and gives the reason for 3:7a.

(Berean Standard Bible, NET Bible, King James Version, New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow the first interpretation (1), which is shown in the Meaning Line in the Display.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Thessalonians 1:2

1:2

Grace and peace to you: This is a typical greeting that both Paul and Peter used in their letters. See 1 Thessalonians 1:1d.

Grace: Here Grace refers to the way God blesses people both materially and spiritually.

peace: Here peace refers to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being in all circumstances, even when there is trouble and difficulty.

you: The word you throughout the whole letter of 2 Thessalonians is plural.

from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Here in 2 Thessalonians Paul made it very clear that such grace and peace came from God and Jesus.

God our Father: There is a textual problem with this verse:

(1) Some Greek manuscripts say patros hēmōn, “our Father.”

(Berean Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, English Standard Version, God’s Word, Good News Translation, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

(2) Other Greek manuscripts say patros, “the Father.”

(New Century Version, NET Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), New Revised Standard Version, Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow the first option (1) along with the reading of the Berean Standard Bible and the majority of English versions. However, if the national language version that is most popular in your area says “the Father, you may wish to use that reading. If so, see how you translated that expression in 1 Thessalonians 1:1c. In some languages, it is not possible to say simply “the father.” Rather, it is necessary to specify whose father is being referred to, that is, “our father” or “his father.” If this is the case in your language, you should use the possessive pronoun “our^(incl) ,” even if you are translating the Greek expression “the Father.”

This verse is really a prayer. The second meaning line in the Display for 1:2 gives a way to express this.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Thessalonians 2:5

Paragraph 2:5–12

In this paragraph Paul wrote that, at exactly the right time, the man of lawlessness will appear. He will have power to perform miracles that will deceive those who themselves oppose the truth and love evil.

2:5

Do you not remember that I told you these things while I was still with you?: Paul used this rhetorical question not because he simply wanted to remind the Thessalonians about something. Rather he wanted to rebuke them gently. If you do not use rhetorical questions as a rebuke in your language, you will have to re-word this verse as a statement or a command. For example:

Do not forget that I told you these things while I was with you.
-or-
I am sure that you remember that I told you these things while I was with you.

these things: This phrase refers back to the events in 2:1–4:

(a) People will rebel against God and his laws,

(b) the man of lawlessness will appear,

(d) God will gather the believers together to meet the Lord Jesus.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Thessalonians 3:8

3:8a

nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it: The Greek word artos, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as food, literally means “bread.” However most English versions (except some of the older versions) agree that it means more than just bread here. There are two possibilities:

(1) It means any sort of food.

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

(2) The expression “to eat someone’s bread” is an idiom that means “to accept someone’s hospitality.” It therefore includes lodging as well as food.

(Good News Translation, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow the first option (1) in your translation.

without paying for it: Greek teachers often went from town to town receiving food and accepting a place to stay in return for their teaching. Paul was probably emphasizing that he and his companions were not like that. This does not mean that Paul and his companions never accepted an invitation as guests to a meal from time to time.

3:8b

Instead: In 3:7b–8a, Paul wrote what he and his companions did not do. In this part of the verse he wrote the positive, what they did do.

in labor and toil: The Greek words kopos and mochthos, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as labor and toil, are the same words that the Berean Standard Bible translated “labor” and “toil” in 1 Thessalonians 2:9a. The two words have similar meanings. Paul used this repetition to emphasize that they worked very hard. If you do not have two similar words you can use here, or if it would be unnatural for you to use such repetition, you could translate this as “laboring very diligently/hard.” The following expression “we worked night and day” also has a similar meaning, and you may have to combine all three into one expression. The second Meaning Line in the Display does this.

we worked night and day: The Greek verb form ergazomenoi, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as we worked, indicates an action that continues over a period of time. See the note on 1 Thessalonians 2:9b.

3:8c

so that we would not be a burden to any of you: The Greek word epibareō, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as be a burden, refers to not being a financial burden on the Thessalonians. Paul and his companions worked to support themselves so that they could buy their own food, rather than expecting anyone to provide it for them. This part of the verse is identical to 1 Thessalonians 2:9c in Greek.

In this part of the verse Paul used a negative expression to explain the purpose for which they worked so hard: so that we would not be a burden…. In 3:9b, he gave the positive purpose: “to offer ourselves as an example…”

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Thessalonians 1:3

Section 1:3–12

Jesus Christ will return and will reward his people as they deserve

This section begins the main part of Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians. Paul thanked God that the Thessalonian believers were still believing firmly in Jesus even though people were persecuting them. He also prayed that everyone would see that the Thessalonian believers were behaving in a manner that would please Jesus Christ when he returns.

Paragraph 1:3–4

Paul thanked God because the faith and love of the Thessalonians was increasing.

1:3a

We are obligated to thank God: It is possible that a literal translation of this part of the verse may sound as if Paul were saying that he and his companions did not yet thank God, but they ought to. If your translation could be misunderstood in this way, you could translate it:

We thank God constantly for you because we are obligated to do this.

brothers: This term was frequently used in the New Testament to refer to fellow Christians, showing that Christians are like brothers and sisters in the family of God. It is better to use a general term that includes both elder and younger siblings, male and female, if you can, rather than a more specific term. In some languages, when the word brothers is used, as in the case of the word “father” (see the note on 1:1c), it is necessary to say whose brother is being spoken of. If this is true in your language you should use “our^(excl) .”

1:3b

as is fitting: This further emphasizes 1:3a. Paul was emphasizing that thanking God for the Thessalonians was the fitting thing for him and his companions to do.

1:3c

your faith: It may be more natural in your language to change the noun faith into a verb such as “to believe in” or “to trust in.” The Lord Jesus was the one in whom they believed or trusted. It was not just that they believed that he existed, but that he was also their Lord.

is growing more and more: It is God who caused them to believe more and more.

1:3d

is increasing: Probably there is little difference in meaning between the verbs translated as “is growing more and more” and is increasing. Paul was probably using this repetition to show that what he was saying was important. If using two different verbs in your language is not possible or would cause your readers to misunderstand, you could use the same verb in both parts of the verse.

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Thessalonians 2002

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Thessalonians 3:6

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Thessalonians 1:1

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Thessalonians 2:4

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Thessalonians 3:7

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Thessalonians 1:2

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Thessalonians 2:5

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Thessalonians 3:8

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Thessalonians 1:3

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