UTN uW Translation Notes:

1 Thessalonians 5 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

9. Teaching on the day of the Lord (4:13–5:11) * The timing of the day of the Lord (5:1–11)10. Final Commands (5:11–22)11. Closing (5:23–28)

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

The timing of the Lord’s coming

In 4:13–18, Paul taught the Thessalonians about what will happen to believers who die before Jesus comes back. In 5:1–11, he teaches them about how the timing of Jesus’ return should impact how they live now. In these verses, he informs the Thessalonians that Jesus’ second coming will surprise people. Scholars debate whether Paul meant that it would surprise everyone or just people who do not believe. Most likely, Paul meant that no one can know for sure when Jesus will return, but believers will be ready for it while unbelievers will not be ready for it. Paul then explains what the Thessalonians should do to be ready for Jesus’ return: they should “put on” faith, hope, and love (see 5:8).

The Spirit and prophecies

In 5:19–20, Paul warns the Thessalonians against “quenching” the Holy Spirit and despising prophecies. Most likely, the commands in the next two verses also relate to prophecies (see 5:21–22): the Thessalonians should test all prophecies, hold to those that are right, and avoid those that are wrong. So, Paul wants them to respect all prophecies, since true prophecy comes from the Holy Spirit. However, he also wants them to test prophecies to make sure they really do come from the Holy Spirit. These verses are very short and imply some information, so you may need to make some of these ideas more explicit. See the notes on these verses for translation options.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Thief similes

In 5:2 and 5:4, Paul compares Jesus’ second coming to what thieves do and experience. In 5:2, Paul indicates that Jesus’ second coming will be surprising, just as a thief breaking into a house is surprising. In 5:4, ancient manuscripts differ in how they express the simile. The reading that the ULT follows indicates that Jesus’ second coming will surprise people who are doing what is wrong, just like the daylight surprises thieves who are breaking into a house. The reading that the ULT mentions in a footnote indicates that Jesus’ second coming is surprising, just as a thief breaking into a house is surprising. With these similes, Paul compares Jesus’ second coming to what thieves do and experience to indicate that Jesus’ second coming will surprise people. Make sure that this meaning is clear in your translation. (See: figs-simile)

Birth pain simile

In 5:3, Paul compares Jesus’ second coming to the birth pains that a woman experiences during labor. Just as these birth pains come suddenly and cannot be avoided, so Jesus’ second coming will come suddenly, and unbelievers will not be able to escape from Jesus’ judgment. Make sure that this meaning is clear in your translation. (See: figs-simile)

Day and night, light and darkness

Throughout 5:1–11, Paul refers to day and light in contrast to night and darkness. In 5:2 Paul uses the word “day” in the phrase “the day of the Lord.” In the following verses, he develops the imagery of day and night so that it connects with the idea of the “day of the Lord.” He speaks of people who live in the “day” and in the “light,” which figuratively describes people who know that Jesus is coming back and who live properly and obey God. These people will not be surprised or judged on the “day of the Lord,” since they are “of day.” On the other hand, Paul speaks of people who live in the “night” and in the “darkness,” which figuratively describes people who do not expect Jesus to come back and who live sinfully and disobey God. These people will be surprised and judged on the “day of the Lord,” since they are not “of day.” So, people who want to avoid being judged on “the day of Lord” must live as people “of day,” that is, as obedient and watchful people. Since Paul’s day and night metaphor is directed related to the phrase “the day of the Lord,” preserve the language of day and night if possible. See the notes on these verses for translation possibilities. (See: figs-metaphor)

Putting on armor

In 5:8, Paul commands the Thessalonians to put on armor, specifically a “breastplate” and a “helmet.” A “breastplate” is armor that protects the vital organs, including the heart and lungs. Paul identifies the “breastplate” with faith and love. A “helmet” is armor that protects the head. Paul identifies the “helmet” with hope. It is unlikely that Paul expected the Thessalonians to interpret these two specific pieces of armor in special ways. Rather, Paul wants the Thessalonians to think about faith, love, and hope as if they were pieces of armor that protect them from evil powers, including sin and the devil. Since Paul uses similar armor metaphors in other letters, preserve the armor language if possible. See the notes on these verses for translation possibilities. (See: figs-metaphor)

Quenching the Holy Spirit

In 5:19, Paul refers to hindering the Holy Spirit as if it were “quenching” a fire. Other passages in the Bible connect the Holy Spirit with fire (for example, see Acts 2:1–4), so if possible preserve the metaphor or express the idea as a simile. See the notes on this verse for translation options. (See: figs-metaphor)