Encouragement of Timothy’s Visit

Therefore, (A)when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to be left behind, alone at (B)Athens, and we sent (C)Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the benefit of your faith, so that no one would be [a]disturbed by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that (D)we have been destined for this. For even when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; [b](E)and so it happened, [c]as you know. For this reason, (F)when I could no longer endure it, I also (G)sent to [d]find out about your faith, for fear that (H)the tempter might have tempted you, and (I)our labor would be for nothing.

But now that (J)Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of (K)your faith and love, and that you always (L)think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, for this reason, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live, if you (M)stand firm in the Lord. For (N)what thanks can we give to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice because of you before our God, 10 as we (O)keep praying most earnestly night and day that we may (P)see your faces, and may (Q)complete what is lacking in your faith?

11 (R)Now may (S)our God and Father (T)Himself, and our Lord Jesus, (U)direct our way to you; 12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and (V)overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may (W)establish your hearts (X)blameless in holiness before (Y)our God and Father at the [e](Z)coming of our Lord Jesus (AA)with all His [f]saints.

Sanctification and Love

(AB)Finally then, (AC)brothers and sisters, we request and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us as to how you ought to [g](AD)walk and (AE)please God (just as you actually do [h]walk), that you (AF)excel even more. For you know what instructions we gave you [i]by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you (AG)abstain from sexual immorality; that (AH)each of you know how to [j]possess his own [k](AI)vessel in sanctification and (AJ)honor, not in [l](AK)lustful passion, like the Gentiles who (AL)do not know God; and that no one violate the rights and (AM)take advantage of his brother or sister (AN)in the matter, because (AO)the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also (AP)told you previously and solemnly warned you. For (AQ)God has not called us for [m](AR)impurity, but in sanctification. Therefore, the one who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the God who (AS)gives His Holy Spirit to you.

Now as to the (AT)love of the brothers and sisters, you (AU)have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are (AV)taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed (AW)you practice it toward all the brothers and sisters who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to (AX)excel even more, 11 and to make it your ambition (AY)to lead a quiet life and (AZ)attend to your own business and (BA)work with your hands, just as we instructed you, 12 so that you will [n](BB)behave properly toward (BC)outsiders and [o](BD)not be in any need.

Those Who Died in Christ

13 But (BE)we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who [p](BF)are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed (BG)the rest of mankind do, who have (BH)no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, (BI)so also God will bring with Him (BJ)those who have fallen asleep [q]through Jesus. 15 For we say this to you (BK)by the word of the Lord, that (BL)we who are alive [r]and remain until (BM)the coming of the Lord will not precede (BN)those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord (BO)Himself (BP)will descend from heaven with a [s](BQ)shout, with the voice of (BR)the archangel and with the (BS)trumpet of God, and (BT)the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then (BU)we who are alive, who remain, will be (BV)caught up together with them (BW)in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always (BX)be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, [t]comfort one another with these words.

The Day of the Lord

Now as to the (BY)periods and [u]times, brothers and sisters, you (BZ)have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that (CA)the day of the Lord is coming (CB)just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “(CC)Peace and safety!” then (CD)sudden destruction [v]will come upon them like (CE)labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in (CF)darkness, so that the day would overtake you [w](CG)like a thief; for you are all (CH)sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of (CI)darkness; so then, let’s not (CJ)sleep as [x](CK)others do, but let’s be alert and [y](CL)sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, (CM)get drunk at night. But since (CN)we are of the day, let’s (CO)be [z]sober, having put on the (CP)breastplate of (CQ)faith and love, and as a (CR)helmet, the (CS)hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for (CT)wrath, but for (CU)obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 (CV)who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore, [aa]encourage one another and (CW)build one another up, just as you also are doing.

Christian Conduct

12 But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to (CX)recognize those (CY)who diligently labor among you and [ab](CZ)are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you [ac]instruction, 13 and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. (DA)Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish (DB)the [ad]unruly, encourage (DC)the fainthearted, help (DD)the weak, be (DE)patient with everyone. 15 See that (DF)no one repays another with evil for evil, but always (DG)seek what is good for one another and for all people. 16 (DH)Rejoice always, 17 (DI)pray without ceasing, 18 in everything (DJ)give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 19 (DK)Do not quench the Spirit, 20 do not utterly reject [ae](DL)prophecies, 21 but (DM)examine everything; (DN)hold firmly to that which is good, 22 abstain from every [af]form of evil.

23 Now (DO)may the God of peace (DP)Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your (DQ)spirit and soul and body be kept complete, (DR)without blame at (DS)the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 (DT)Faithful is He who (DU)calls you, and He also will do it.

25 Brothers and sisters, (DV)pray for us[ag].

26 (DW)Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. 27 I put you under oath by the Lord to (DX)have this letter read to all the (DY)brothers and sisters.

28 (DZ)May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 3:3 Or deceived
  2. 1 Thessalonians 3:4 Lit just as
  3. 1 Thessalonians 3:4 Lit and
  4. 1 Thessalonians 3:5 Or to know, to ascertain
  5. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 Or presence
  6. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  7. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Or conduct yourselves
  8. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Or conduct yourselves
  9. 1 Thessalonians 4:2 Lit through the Lord
  10. 1 Thessalonians 4:4 Or acquire
  11. 1 Thessalonians 4:4 I.e., body; or wife
  12. 1 Thessalonians 4:5 Lit passion of lust
  13. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 I.e., moral corruption
  14. 1 Thessalonians 4:12 Lit walk
  15. 1 Thessalonians 4:12 Lit have need of nothing
  16. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 I.e., have died
  17. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 I.e., as believers
  18. 1 Thessalonians 4:15 Lit who
  19. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 Or cry of command
  20. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 Or encourage
  21. 1 Thessalonians 5:1 I.e., the end times
  22. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 Lit is coming
  23. 1 Thessalonians 5:4 One early ms like thieves
  24. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Lit the rest (of mankind)
  25. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Or self-controlled
  26. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 Or self-controlled
  27. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Or comfort
  28. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Or care for you
  29. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Or admonition
  30. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Or undisciplined
  31. 1 Thessalonians 5:20 Or prophetic gifts
  32. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Or appearance
  33. 1 Thessalonians 5:25 Two early mss add also

So when we could stand it no longer,(A) we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.(B) We sent Timothy,(C) who is our brother and co-worker(D) in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ,(E) to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.(F) For you know quite well that we are destined for them.(G) In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.(H) For this reason, when I could stand it no longer,(I) I sent to find out about your faith.(J) I was afraid that in some way the tempter(K) had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.(L)

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

But Timothy(M) has just now come to us from you(N) and has brought good news about your faith and love.(O) He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.(P) Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm(Q) in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you(R) in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?(S) 10 Night and day we pray(T) most earnestly that we may see you again(U) and supply what is lacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Father(V) himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other(W) and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless(X) and holy in the presence of our God and Father(Y) when our Lord Jesus comes(Z) with all his holy ones.(AA)

Living to Please God

As for other matters, brothers and sisters,(AB) we instructed you how to live(AC) in order to please God,(AD) as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

It is God’s will(AE) that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;(AF) that each of you should learn to control your own body[a](AG) in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust(AH) like the pagans,(AI) who do not know God;(AJ) and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.[b](AK) The Lord will punish(AL) all those who commit such sins,(AM) as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.(AN) Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.(AO)

Now about your love for one another(AP) we do not need to write to you,(AQ) for you yourselves have been taught by God(AR) to love each other.(AS) 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia.(AT) Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,(AU) 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands,(AV) just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders(AW) and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Believers Who Have Died

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed(AX) about those who sleep in death,(AY) so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.(AZ) 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again,(BA) and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.(BB) 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord,(BC) will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.(BD) 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven,(BE) with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel(BF) and with the trumpet call of God,(BG) and the dead in Christ will rise first.(BH) 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left(BI) will be caught up together with them in the clouds(BJ) to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord(BK) forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another(BL) with these words.

The Day of the Lord

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates(BM) we do not need to write to you,(BN) for you know very well that the day of the Lord(BO) will come like a thief in the night.(BP) While people are saying, “Peace and safety,”(BQ) destruction will come on them suddenly,(BR) as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.(BS)

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness(BT) so that this day should surprise you like a thief.(BU) You are all children of the light(BV) and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep,(BW) but let us be awake(BX) and sober.(BY) For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.(BZ) But since we belong to the day,(CA) let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,(CB) and the hope of salvation(CC) as a helmet.(CD) For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath(CE) but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.(CF) 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.(CG) 11 Therefore encourage one another(CH) and build each other up,(CI) just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard(CJ) among you, who care for you in the Lord(CK) and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.(CL) 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle(CM) and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,(CN) be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,(CO) but always strive to do what is good for each other(CP) and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always,(CQ) 17 pray continually,(CR) 18 give thanks in all circumstances;(CS) for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit.(CT) 20 Do not treat prophecies(CU) with contempt 21 but test them all;(CV) hold on to what is good,(CW) 22 reject every kind of evil.

23 May God himself, the God of peace,(CX) sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul(CY) and body be kept blameless(CZ) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.(DA) 24 The one who calls(DB) you is faithful,(DC) and he will do it.(DD)

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.(DE) 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.(DF) 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.(DG)

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.(DH)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 4:4 Or learn to live with your own wife; or learn to acquire a wife
  2. 1 Thessalonians 4:6 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family.

Giving Thanks for Faith and Perseverance

(A)Paul, (B)Silvanus, and (C)Timothy,

To the (D)church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: (E)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We ought always (F)to give thanks to God for you, (G)brothers and sisters, as is only fitting, because your faith is increasing abundantly, and the (H)love of each and every one of you toward one another grows ever greater. As a result, we ourselves (I)speak proudly of you among (J)the churches of God for your [a]perseverance and faith [b](K)in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. This is [c]a (L)plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be (M)considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you indeed are suffering. [d]For after all (N)it is only right [e]for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us, [f](O)when the Lord Jesus will be revealed (P)from heaven (Q)with [g]His mighty angels (R)in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who (S)do not know God, and to those who (T)do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These people will pay the penalty of (U)eternal destruction, (V)away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be (W)glorified among His [h]saints on that (X)day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—because our (Y)testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end also we (Z)pray for you always, that our God will (AA)consider you worthy of your (AB)calling, and fulfill every desire for (AC)goodness and the (AD)work of faith with power, 12 so that the (AE)name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, in accordance with the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 1:4 Or steadfastness
  2. 2 Thessalonians 1:4 Or during all
  3. 2 Thessalonians 1:5 Or proof of
  4. 2 Thessalonians 1:6 Lit If indeed
  5. 2 Thessalonians 1:6 Or in the sight of
  6. 2 Thessalonians 1:7 Lit at the revelation of the Lord Jesus
  7. 2 Thessalonians 1:7 Lit the angels of His power
  8. 2 Thessalonians 1:10 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people

Paul, Silas[a](A) and Timothy,(B)

To the church of the Thessalonians(C) in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(D)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

We ought always to thank God for you,(E) brothers and sisters,[b] and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.(F) Therefore, among God’s churches we boast(G) about your perseverance and faith(H) in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.(I)

All this is evidence(J) that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy(K) of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just:(L) He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you(M) and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven(N) in blazing fire(O) with his powerful angels.(P) He will punish(Q) those who do not know God(R) and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.(S) They will be punished with everlasting destruction(T) and shut out from the presence of the Lord(U) and from the glory of his might(V) 10 on the day(W) he comes to be glorified(X) in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.(Y)

11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you,(Z) that our God may make you worthy(AA) of his calling,(AB) and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness(AC) and your every deed prompted by faith.(AD) 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,(AE) and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.[c]

Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 1:1 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
  2. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 2:1, 13, 15; 3:1, 6, 13.
  3. 2 Thessalonians 1:12 Or God and Lord, Jesus Christ