1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.
바울과 실루아노와 디모데는 하나님 아버지와 주 예수 그리스도 안에 있는 데살로니가인의 교회에 편지하노니 은혜와 평강이 너희에게 있을찌어다
A church is in God, not in a region, who from before the beginning according to his grace and in Christ who by his willing obedience to the Father brought it into peace with God. Thus God’s Spirit is fully present in the coming to being of this one small house church.
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.
우리가 너희 무리를 인하여 항상 하나님께 감사하고 기도할 때에 너희를 말함은
Differentiated from the trend of looking for gratitude even in non-believers, a believer’s thanksgiving has a particular direction and purpose. It is something that is ‘always’ and ‘continual’ not conditional or circumstantial.
3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
너희의 믿음의 역사와 사랑의 수고와 우리 주 예수 그리스도에 대한 소망의 인내를 우리 하나님 아버지 앞에서 쉬지 않고 기억함이니
Such lasting thanksgiving is triggered by remembering (constantly keeping in mind, NSAB) the faith, love, and hope that belong to our Lord. In Greek and in more literal translations ‘continually’ in v.2 is put in front of remembering here in v.3. So the ‘always giving thanks for them’ and ‘continually remembering the outcome of Christ’s work’ run in parallel.
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,
하나님의 사랑하심을 받은 형제들아 너희를 택하심을 아노라
Therefore Paul speaks of God’s choosing them which is the ground for his thanksgiving concerning the Thessalonians. ‘Loved’ is a mildly put expression of God’s active love toward his Son and in turn the same way and strength toward the people Christ brought begore him. The idea goes in hand with the concept of ‘the only one’ ‘the only son’ ‘the beloved child’.
5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
이는 우리 복음이 말로만 너희에게 이른 것이 아니라 오직 능력과 성령과 큰 확신으로 된 것이니 우리가 너희 가운데서 너희를 위하여 어떠한 사람이 된 것은 너희 아는 바와 같으니라
The Holy Spirit comes along and strengthens. Paul and the companion demonstrated physically that among the Thessalonians. God did not just sit in the heaven and say that he had this and that plan and wished us good luck. Nor does Jesus sits back by the Father saying he’s done all that is to be done. Power, the Holy Spirit, assurance all go in hand in hand this is the same that raised Jesus from the dead. The Spirit raises us today too with the same power giving the same assurance that we belong with God.
6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
또 너희는 많은 환난 가운데서 성령의 기쁨으로 도를 받아 우리와 주를 본받은 자가 되었으니
Joy is a feature that describes the working and being of the Holy Spirit. It does not make you go ‘Ha ha ha!’ (although it does sometimes!)but it sticks the faith love and hope of Christ to you and makes you a bit like him. Everyday.
Lord today too without exception I come in mundanely but go encouraged, caressed, and embraced. You are the ground of all my thanksgiving. Let the joy of the Holy Spirit glue me to that ground another day and make me look a bit more like you. Because I am your child. Blessed be our God.
Read with Ssam 