OET interlinear 1TH 1:9

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γὰρ

for

Here, the word For introduces a reason why Paul and his fellow workers do not need to say anything about the Thessalonians (see 1:8). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a reason. Alternate translation: “In fact,” or “That is because”

Note 2 topic: writing-pronouns

αὐτοὶ & ἀπαγγέλλουσιν

they & /are/_reporting

Here, the phrase they themselves refers to everyone who has heard about the Thessalonians’ faith. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the pronouns more explicit. Alternate translation: “they themselves who have heard about your faith report”

Note 3 topic: writing-pronouns

αὐτοὶ & ἀπαγγέλλουσιν

they & /are/_reporting

For emphasis, Paul is stating the pronoun they, which is already implied in the verb report. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. The ULT does so by using the intensive pronoun themselves. Alternate translation: “as for them, they report” or “it is they who report”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἡμῶν

us

Here, the word us could include: (1) just Paul and his fellow workers. Alternate translation: “us who preached the good news” (2) Paul, his fellow workers, and the Thessalonians. Alternate translation: “you and us”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὁποίαν εἴσοδον ἔσχομεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς

what_kind entrance ˱we˲_had to you_all

Here Paul refers to his and his fellow workers’ visit to the Thessalonians as an entrance. He implies that the Thessalonians welcomed him and that it was a good visit. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this idea more explicitly. Alternate translation: “what a good visit we had with you” or “how wonderful it was when we visited you”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐπεστρέψατε πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν ἀπὸ τῶν εἰδώλων

˱you_all˲_turned_back to ¬the God from ¬the idols

Paul speaks of the Thessalonians as if they had been facing toward their idols and then turned around to face toward God. He means that they no longer worship idols, and now they worship God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a similar figure of speech or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you started worshiping God and left the idols behind” or “you abandoned the idols for God’s sake”

Note 7 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

δουλεύειν

/to_be/_serving

Here, the phrase to serve could introduce: (1) the purpose for which the Thessalonians turned. Alternate translation: “in order to serve” (2) a restatement of what it means for the Thessalonians to have turned. Alternate translation: “that is, you chose to serve” (3) the result the Thessalonians having turned. Alternate translation: “with the result that you serve”

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

Θεῷ ζῶντι καὶ ἀληθινῷ

˱for˲_/the/_God living and true

Here, the phrase living and true God identifies God as the one who lives and is truly God. The point is that God actually lives, unlike idols and other things that people may call gods, and that God really is God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that emphasizes that God really lives and is the true God. Alternate translation: “the real God who actually lives” or “the only true God”