1 Thessalonians 2:2

2:2 But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, ¹  as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God ²  in spite of much opposition.

1 Thessalonians 2:14

2:14 For you became imitators, brothers and sisters, ³  of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews,

1 Thessalonians 2:17

Forced Absence from Thessalonica

2:17 But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, ⁴  for a short time (in presence, not in affection) ⁵  we became all the more fervent in our great desire ⁶  to see you in person. ⁷ 

1 Thessalonians 4:6

4:6 In this matter no one should violate the rights of his brother or take advantage of him, ⁸  because the Lord is the avenger in all these cases, ⁹  as we also told you earlier and warned you solemnly.

1 Thessalonians 4:10

4:10 And indeed you are practicing it toward all the brothers and sisters ¹⁰  in all of Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, ¹¹ 

1 Thessalonians 4:13

The Lord Returns for Believers

4:13 Now we do not want you to be uninformed, ¹²  brothers and sisters, ¹³  about those who are asleep, ¹⁴  so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope.

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¹ map For location see JP1-C1; JP2-C1; JP3-C1; JP4-C1.

² 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.

³ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:4.

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

⁵ tn Grk “in face, not in heart.”

⁶ tn Grk “with great desire.”

⁷ tn Grk “to see your face.”

⁸ tn Grk “not to transgress against or defraud his brother in the matter,” continuing the sentence of vv. 3-5.

⁹ tn Grk “concerning all these things.”

¹⁰ tn Grk “brothers”; this applies to the second occurrence as well. See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:4.

¹¹ sn To do so more and more. See 1 Thess 4:1.

¹² tn Grk “ignorant.”

¹³ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:4.

¹⁴ tn The verb κοιμάω (koimaw) literally means “sleep,” but it is often used in the Bible as a euphemism for death when speaking of believers. This metaphorical usage by its very nature emphasizes the hope of resurrection: Believers will one day “wake up” out of death. Here the term refers to death, but “sleep” was used in the translation to emphasize the metaphorical, rhetorical usage of the term. This word also occurs in vv. 14 and 15.