1 Thessalonians 1:5

1:5 in that ¹  our gospel did not come to you merely in words, ²  but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you). ³ 

1 Thessalonians 2:2

2:2 But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, ⁴  as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God ⁵  in spite of much opposition.

1 Thessalonians 2:4

2:4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 2:8-9

2:8 with such affection for you ⁶  we were happy ⁷  to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 2:9 For you recall, brothers and sisters, ⁸  our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:17

Forced Absence from Thessalonica

2:17 But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, ⁹  for a short time (in presence, not in affection) ¹⁰  we became all the more fervent in our great desire ¹¹  to see you in person. ¹² 

1 Thessalonians 3:5

3:5 So ¹³  when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter somehow tempted you and our toil had proven useless.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Conclusion

5:23 Now may the God of peace himself make you completely holy and may your spirit and soul and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

---

¹ tn Or “because.”

² tn Or “speech,” or “an act of speaking.”

³ tn Grk “just as you know what sort of people we were among you for your sakes.” Verse 5 reflects on the experience of Paul and his fellow preachers; v. 6 begins to describe the Thessalonians’ response.

⁴ map For location see JP1-C1; JP2-C1; JP3-C1; JP4-C1.

⁵ tn The genitive in the phrase τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ θεοῦ (to euangelion tou qeou, “the gospel of God”) could be translated as either a subjective genitive (“the gospel which God brings”) or an objective genitive (“the gospel about God”). Either is grammatically possible. This is possibly an instance of a plenary genitive (see ExSyn 119-21; M. Zerwick, Biblical Greek, §§36-39). If so, an interplay between the two concepts is intended: The gospel which God brings is in fact the gospel about himself. This same phrase occurs in vv. 8 and 9 as well.

⁶ tn Grk “longing for you in this way.”

⁷ tn Or “we are happy.” This verb may be past or present tense, but the context favors the past.

⁸ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:4.

⁹ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:4.

¹⁰ tn Grk “in face, not in heart.”

¹¹ tn Grk “with great desire.”

¹² tn Grk “to see your face.”

¹³ tn Or “for this reason.”