OET interlinear 1TH 4:1

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

οὖν

therefore

Here, the word Therefore introduces a development in Paul’s argument. He is transitioning from rejoicing about the Thessalonians to instructing them about how to act and what to believe. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces this kind of development. Alternate translation: “So” or “Given all that”

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

λοιπὸν

finally

Here, the word finally signals to the audience that Paul is starting the last section of his letter. The word does not mean that Paul is about to finish the letter. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces the last major part of a letter. Alternate translation: “lastly” or “in this last section”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

ἐρωτῶμεν ὑμᾶς καὶ παρακαλοῦμεν

˱we˲_/are/_asking you_all and ˱we˲_/are/_exhorting

The terms ask and encourage mean similar things. Paul is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “we strongly encourage you” or “we urgently ask you”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐν Κυρίῳ Ἰησοῦ

in /the/_Lord Jesus

Here Paul uses the spatial metaphor in the Lord Jesus to describe the union of believers with Jesus. In this case, being in the Lord Jesus, or united to Jesus, could specifically explain: (1) the reason why Paul and his fellow workers ask and exhort the Thessalonians. Alternate translation: “because of your union with the Lord Jesus” (2) the authority by which Paul and his fellow workers ask and exhort the Thessalonians. Alternate translation: “as those who represent the Lord Jesus”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

περιπατεῖν & περιπατεῖτε

/to_be/_walking & ˱you_all˲_/are/_walking

Paul speaks of behavior in life as if it were walking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See you how you translated the similar phrase in 2:12. Alternate translation: “to act … you are acting” or “to live your lives … you are living your lives”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / hendiadys

περιπατεῖν καὶ ἀρέσκειν Θεῷ

/to_be/_walking and /to_be/_bringing_pleasure ˱to˲_God

Here, to walk and to please expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word please describes the way in which the Thessalonian church should walk. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use and. Alternate translation: “to walk in a way that is pleasing to God” or “to walk so that you please God”

Note 7 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

ἵνα

in_order_that

Here, the word that could introduce: (1) what it is that Paul and his fellow workers ask and exhort the Thessalonians to do. Alternate translation: “we ask that” (2) the purpose for which Paul and his fellow workers ask and exhort the Thessalonians. Alternate translation: “in order that”

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

περισσεύητε μᾶλλον

˱you_all˲_/may_be/_abounding more

Here Paul implies that he and his fellow workers want the Thessalonians to abound even more in pleasing God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: “you might abound even more in doing what is pleasing to God”