Paragraph 1:5–10

It is a good idea to start a new paragraph here, because Paul was teaching about a different theme: God’s judgment. Throughout 1:5–10, Paul talked repeatedly about two related ideas:

(a) that the Thessalonian believers were suffering because non-Christians were persecuting them;

(b) that God would do what was right and just.

1:5a

All this is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment: In other places in Scripture, God says that, at the end of the world, he will judge everyone. Those who are evil will be punished and those who are righteous will be rewarded. The fact that people such as the Thessalonians endured persecution yet remained faithful to God clearly shows that God’s future judgment will be just/right. It is just/fair that God will judge and reward believers who have been persecuted and yet have remained faithful. It is also just/fair that God will judge and punish those who have persecuted them.

All this is clear evidence: The words All this is are not in the Greek text. However, the Berean Standard Bible has added them to make it clear that 1:5 is connected to 1:4.

evidence: This refers to how the Thessalonian believers had trusted in Christ and persevered even though people were persecuting them. Here are some other ways to translate this:

All of this proves (Good News Translation)
-or-
It all shows (New Jerusalem Bible)

God’s righteous judgment: Paul was saying that God will judge everyone fairly and justly and in the way they deserve to be judged.

1:5b

And so you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God: The Greek word eis, which the Berean Standard Bible translates And so, can have two different interpretations:

(1) It indicates the result of what Paul had just said. (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Good News Translation)

(2) It indicates the purpose of what Paul had just said. (Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version)

Either of these options is possible, and it is not always easy to tell which option English versions follow. The Display follows the first option (1), and this is assumed in the note that follows.

There is a second problem with this part of the verse. Commentators do not agree about whether 1:5b connects back to 1:5a or 1:4b. So there are two possibilities:

(1) It connects to 1:4b. Paul was saying that their enduring persecution patiently would result in God declaring that they were worthy to enter his kingdom.

(2) It connects to 1:5a. Paul was saying that God’s righteous judgment would result in him declaring that they were worthy to enter his kingdom.

Most English versions are ambiguous, so if possible, you should not express the connection explicitly. If it is necessary in your language to be explicit, it is recommended that you follow the first option (1). You could say:

The result of this suffering will be that God will declare that you are worthy of his kingdom.

the kingdom of God: In this context, this does not refer to a geographical region, but to God’s rule over his people. To be worthy of the kingdom of God therefore means “to be worthy to be part of the people over whom God rules.”

1:5c

for which you are suffering: The Thessalonians were committed to God, and he ruled their lives. It was because of this that they were being persecuted.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.