1 Thessalonians 1:4

1:4 We know,¹ brothers and sisters² loved by God, that he has chosen you,³

1 Thessalonians 1:7

1:7 As a result you became an example⁴ to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

1 Thessalonians 2:6

2:6 nor to seek glory from people, either from you or from others,

1 Thessalonians 2:13

2:13 And so⁵ we too constantly thank God that when you received God’s message that you heard from us,⁶ you accepted it not as a human message,⁷ but as it truly is, God’s message, which is at work among you who believe.

1 Thessalonians 3:8

3:8 For now we are alive again,⁸ if you stand firm in the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 3:11

3:11 Now may God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you.

1 Thessalonians 4:4

4:4 that each of you know how to possess his own body⁹ in holiness and honor,

1 Thessalonians 4:12

4:12 In this way you will live¹⁰ a decent life before outsiders and not be in need.¹¹

1 Thessalonians 5:11

5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

5:18 in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:24

5:24 He who calls you is trustworthy, and he will in fact do this.¹²

¹tn Grk “knowing.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the participle εἰδότες (eidotes) has been translated as a finite verb and a new sentence started here in the translation.

²tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” or “fellow Christians” as here (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelfoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited).

³tn Grk “your election.”

⁴tc Most mss (א A C D² F G Ψ 0278 Ï) have the plural τύπους (tupou", “examples”) here, while a few important witnesses have the singular τύπον (tupon, “example”; B D*^,c 6 33 81 104 1739 1881 pc lat). With ὑμᾶς (Jumas, “you”) immediately preceding, the plural form looks motivated: Scribes would be expected to change the singular to the plural here. Although the external evidence for the singular reading is not overwhelming, the internal evidence for it is compelling.

⁵tn Grk “for this reason,” which seems to look back to Paul’s behavior just described. But it may look forward to v. 13b and mean: “and here is another reason that we constantly thank God: that…”

⁶tn Grk “God’s word of hearing from us.”

⁷tn Paul’s focus is their attitude toward the message he preached: They received it not as a human message but a message from God.

⁸tn Grk “because now we live,” in comparison with his feelings of dread in not knowing how they were doing (cf. 2:17-3:5).

⁹tn Grk “to gain [or possess] his own vessel.” “Vessel” is most likely used figuratively for “body” (cf. 2 Cor 4:7). Some take it to mean “wife” (thus, “to take a wife for himself” or “to live with his wife”), but this is less likely. See J. Smith, “1 Thess 4:4 – Breaking the Impasse,” BBR 10 (Fall 2000), who argues that “vessel” in this context is very likely a euphemism for the sexual organs.

¹⁰tn Grk “that you may live,” continuing the sentence of 4:10b-11.

¹¹tn Or “not be dependent on anyone”; Grk “and have need of nothing,” “of no one.”

¹²tn Grk “who will also do,” with the object understood from v. 23.