UTN uW Translation Notes:

1 Thessalonians 4 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

7. Teaching on sexual morality (4:1–8)8. Teaching on Christian love (4:9–12)9. Teaching on the day of the Lord (4:13–5:11) * Dead believers and the day of the Lord (4:13–18)

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Sexual morality

In 4:3–8, Paul commands the Thessalonians to act in holy ways, particularly in relation to their sexual behavior. He does not provide specific details, but he does require them to exercise self-control and to avoid hurting a fellow believer. In the Thessalonians’ culture, sexual immorality was very common. Men and women would have sex with people who were not their own spouses, and older men would have sex with younger men. If a Christian had sex with another Christian to whom he or she was not married, it could easily hurt or exploit that person or that person’s family. Paul wants the Corinthians to completely avoid this possibility.

Brotherly love

In 4:9–12, Paul praises the Corinthians for showing “brotherly love.” He means that they love each other as if they were members of the same family. He also encourages them to show this kind of love even more, which includes staying out of other people’s private affairs and making sure that they can provide for themselves instead of depending on other people.

Dead believers

The Thessalonians were worried that believers who had died might not experience some of the wonderful things that will happen when Jesus comes back. In 4:13–18, Paul assures them that believers who had died not miss anything when Jesus comes back. In fact, he tells them that believers who have died will meet Jesus first, before everyone who is still alive meets him. He wants them to encourage or comfort each other with this teaching.

The coming of the Lord

In 4:13–18, Paul teaches the Thessalonians about what will happen when Jesus comes back. He describes Jesus’ return with powerful language that includes angels, people being lifted up into the sky, and loud sounds. Scholars debate whether Paul described Jesus’ return with symbolic language or whether he described specific events that will happen when Jesus comes back. Your translation should express Paul’s descriptions as clearly as possible while allowing for both interpretations of his words.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

“His own vessel”

In 4:4, Paul urges each Thessalonian to “possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.” Paul could be using the word “vessel” in several different ways. First (1), and most likely, he could be using “vessel” as a euphemism for the sexual organ. In this case, he is urging the Thessalonians to have self-control over their sexual desires the acts. Also, he is addressing men directly but also includes women in his command. Second (2), he could be using “vessel” as a metaphor for the physical body. In this case, he is focusing particularly on the sexual aspect of the physical body, just like in option (1). Third (3), and least likely, Paul could be using “vessel” as a metaphor for a man’s wife. In this case, he is urging each Thessalonian man to be sexually faithful to his wife. It is recommended that you follow option (1) or perhaps option (2) since these are the most likely explanations for why Paul uses the word “vessel.” (See: figs-euphemism and figs-metaphor)

“The ones sleeping”

In 4:13–15, Paul refers to people who are “sleeping.” This was a polite way in his culture to refer to people who had died. Paul does not have any deeper meaning in mind. Consider how, in your culture, you might politely refer to people who had died. (See: figs-euphemism)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Did Paul think that Jesus would come back before he himself died?

In 4:15 and 4:17, Paul uses the word “we” to include himself among the believers who are alive when Jesus comes back. Some scholars think that this implies that Paul believed or hoped that Jesus would come back before Paul died. However, other scholars think that Paul used the word “we” because he was referring to believers who are alive, and of course he was alive when he wrote this letter. In your translation, you should use an inclusive form of “we” if your language marks that distinction, but you should not include any further clarification.

What is the sequence of events in 4:15–17?

In these verses, Paul describes several events that will occur in sequence. Based on what he says, we can be relatively sure that the following three events will occur in this order: (1) the Lord Jesus will come down from heaven, (2) believers who have died will resurrect and go with the Lord, and (3) believers who are still alive with be taken up to meet the Lord in the air. It is less clear whether the “loud command,” the “voice of an archangel” and the “trumpet of God” happen before or during Jesus’ descent from heaven. Also, it is not clear whether Jesus and believers go up to heaven or come back to earth, although coming back to earth is slightly more likely. Make sure that your translation clearly presents the three main events in sequence, and if possible, allow for several different interpretations for the other elements.