2 Thess 2:13, which translation?

"From the beginning" seems to be the most straightforward translation of the Greek, unless there is nuance that I am missing with respect to how that phrase was historically used.

ἀπ᾽ αρχῆς, "since the beginning", "from the beginning", etc.

EDIT: Just out of curiosity I looked and actually there are differences in the source texts. The above is taken from the Textus Receptus, the Morphological GNT instead has ἀπαρχὴν, which is the combination of ἀπό and ἀρχή, but means "first-fruits".

So the translation depends entirely on which source text is being relied upon as the more reliable reading, ἀπ᾽ αρχῆς or ἀπαρχὴν.

-CryptoLutheran

UBS5 has first fruits as preferred, at a B level, which is fairly certain. I'm sure that's why NRSV uses it. I'm not sure how much evidence RSV is. The translators of the RSV stuck with the AV in some cases even when there was reasonable evidence for a change. Here's what Metzger says:

Although the reading ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς is strongly supported (א D K L Ψ most minuscules itd, g, ar, mon syrp copsa arm eth al), the Committee preferred ἀπαρχήν (B F Ggr P 33 81 1739 vg syrh copbo al) because (a) ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς occurs nowhere else in the Pauline corpus (πρὸ τῶν αἰώνων is used in 1 Cor 2:7 and ἀπὸ τῶν αἰώνων in Col 1:26 to express the idea “from eternity”); (b) except for Php 4:15, ἀρχή in Paul always means “power”; (c) ἀπαρχή occurs six other places in Paul (though in five of them it is with a qualifying genitive); and (d) elsewhere copyists took offense at ἀπαρχήν and altered it to ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς (Re 14:4 א 336 1918, and Ro 16:5 D*) even though the latter expression is inappropriate in these passages. One manuscript (88) emphasizes the middle voice of εἵλατο by reading ἑαυτῷ ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς.

The author is contrasting the addressees of the letter with the rebellious ones described up to verse 12. Here's how the Logos commentary by F F Bruce understands the characterization. It is possible that this is quoting another work, by Ellis (“Paul and his Co-Workers"), but the quotation is unclear.

“‘The first fruits’ is a concept deeply embedded in the Old Testament cultus as the portion dedicated to God and that which sanctifies the whole.… The … Thessalonian brothers … are the consecrated first-born who, like the Levites, are set apart for the work of God.’ But the church as a whole is the ἀπαρχή of mankind to God. [ellipses are in the original, I assume when it quotes from Ellis]

A.ModerateOne said:

One of my high school teachers in 1958 said something that has stuck with me to this day: "I'm not here to pour knowledge into your head, I'm here to teach you how to study and learn for yourself."

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One thing I learned when there are textual variants is to check the translation of the Aramaic Peshitta. In this verse it reads:

13But we are indebted to thank God always for your persons, brethren, beloved of Our Lord, that God has chosen you from the beginning for Life by sanctification of The Spirit and by belief of the truth,

A.ModerateOne said:

What edition did you quote? Did you quote from a hardcover by another translator? The one I've downloaded is both the OT and NT.

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I quoted from The Original Aramaic New Testament in Plain English 8th edition Copyright 2013. This is available on Biblehub. Other translations I checked online (including Lamsa's) were more or less similar.

A.ModerateOne said:

Is it "from the beginning" or "as the first fruits"?

"But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:" (2Thess 2:13, ASV)

"But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth." (2Thess 2:13, RSV)

We are always bound to thank God for you, my friends beloved by the Lord. From the beginning of time God chose you to find salvation in the Spirit who consecrates you and in the truth you believe. (2Thess 2:13, REB)

Or the following:

"But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth." (2Thess 2:13, NRSV)

"But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth." (2 Thess 2:13, ESV)

"My friends, the Lord loves you, and it is only natural for us to thank God for you. God chose you to be the first ones to be saved. His Spirit made you holy, and you put your faith in the truth." (2Thess 2:13, CEV)

The KJV, RV, YLT, NEB, REB, Weymouth, Phillips; these British translations all translate "from the beginning". For me, "from the beginning" is by far the most simple, natural and understandable translation, therefore the correct one. I see no way the Thessalonians could be "the first ones to be saved" since Paul went there on his second Missionary journey. When the Greek scholars can't agree, and I've read several views on it, the only answer for me is to go by the more natural and understandable translation. Other thoughts on this verse?

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The term "first fruits" is sanctuary language. It can be used literally, spiritually, symbolically and/or prophetically.

Although the earthly sanctuary system ceased, there is the sanctuary in heaven (the true one) ... that is Gods dwelling place and therefore *practically all of it is still applicable. If one really wants to understand heaven ... spend some time studying it ... it is very fascinating and enlightening.

Psalm 77:13

Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?

That is in heaven, to which we must ascend by faith, if we will know the ways of God.

The bible is saturated with sanctuary language from Genesis throughout Revelation.

So, re-visit your referenced verses and use the following literal meanings ... using symbolically ... keeping in mind the verses were being directed to those who already believed and who were also familiar with the earthly sanctuary system ... used as a "example" of the heavenly sanctuary.

Look at ... in the beginning and first fruits .... using them symbolically from the "literal" below and see if if don't make more sense to you.

“Firstfruits” refers to the first portion of the harvest which is given to God. Most notably the first fruits are:

• the first to come in time;
• a pledge or hope of the greater harvest to follow; and
• specially dedicated to God.

(A firstfruits ceremony is described in detail in Deuteronomy 26:1-11.)Note that the “first born,” whether human or beast, was also considered as God’s special possession and can be considered a type of first fruit. (Exodus 22:29, Exodus 34:19)

eleos1954 said:

keeping in mind the verses were being directed to those who already believed and who were also familiar with the earthly sanctuary system ...

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Majority of the Thessalonians church were probably _not_ Jewish:

1Th 1:9 because they themselves inform us about what kind of reception we received from you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.

1Th 4:4 to know, each of you, how to gain control over his own body in holiness and honor—5 not in the passion of lust like the pagans who do not know God;

Andrewn said:

Majority of the Thessalonians church were probably _not_ Jewish:

1Th 1:9 because they themselves inform us about what kind of reception we received from you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.

1Th 4:4 to know, each of you, how to gain control over his own body in holiness and honor—5 not in the passion of lust like the pagans who do not know God;

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The early Christ following churches were made up of both jewish converts and gentiles, and we have no idea if there were more of one or the other.

Many gentiles were familiar with the temple/sanctuary system and also took part in it's services.

Most temples in antiquity encouraged the respect and patronage of as many people as possible. Gentiles had an area within which they could penetrate the sacred precincts of the Temple/sanctuary. They were certainly permitted to give offerings.... The Temple/sanctuary was organized in terms of degrees of sacred space, and the most sacred space was occupied only by the Priest. But the gentiles, who could bring offerings, would pass it over so that eventually the offering would be offered by the Priest on behalf of the gentile who was making the offering.

Many gentiles knew about temple/sanctuary services and did partake in them to the degree they were allowed to.

eleos1954 said:

Many gentiles were familiar with the temple/sanctuary system and also took part in it's services. Most temples in antiquity encouraged the respect and patronage of as many people as possible. Gentiles had an area within which they could penetrate the sacred precincts of the Temple/sanctuary. They were certainly permitted to give offerings....

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Thessalonian pagans went on tours to Judea in the 1st century. Those Judeans really knew how to make money

The expression "firstfruits" is used 8 times in the KJV NT.

In Rom 8:23, it is applied to the Holy Spirit.

In Rom 11:16, it is applied to the Church in general.

In Rom 16:5, it is applied to Epaenetus.

In 1Co 15:20 and 23, it is applied to Christ.

In 1Co 16:15, it is applied to Stephanas.

In Jam 1:18, it is applied to the Church in general.

In Rev 14:4, it is applied to the 144,000 virgins in heaven.

From this list, "firstfruits" appears to have been used to describe only 2 persons: Epaenetus and Stephanas.

It is important to notice that these two are not described as "firstfruits in general," but specifically as "firstfruits of Achaia," which makes sense in this context.

It has been said in this thread that expression "firstfruits" is common in Apostle Paul's writings. But, from reviewing the above verses, I don't see it applied to any specific group or church. Applying it to the Thessalonian church would be unique.

I'm open to correction.

A.ModerateOne said:

I'm 77 and the phrase "sanctuary language" was new to me, not remember seeing it used as a classification before. So I spent time online searching for the phrase. I found two web sites using the term, both of which were connected to the Seventh Day Adventists and one was supporting their prophecy concerning 1844. So..........

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so? and what did they (official SDA site) say about 1844?

What other in depth teachings did you find in regard to the symbolic usage of the sanctuary system throughout the bible of which we all know it does? I have searched extensively and don't find much ... if you have found something, I'd be very interested.

Make certain whenever you are researching something you are getting the info "from the horses mouth" so to speak. If catholic (their official site), if SDA their official site, if jewish (their official site) etc. otherwise of course one is just getting someones opinion likely bias one way or another.

Here's some info to consider ...

ok .. we know biblically there were sanctuaries on earth, with the first directed by God himself to be built ... and He gave Moses very very extensive details of how it was to be constructed and how it was to be utilized. Must be pretty important I'd say.

The New Testament reveals that the new covenant also has a sanctuary, one that is in heaven. In it Christ functions as high priest "at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty." This sanctuary is the "true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man" (Heb. 8:1, 2).

1 At Mount Sinai Moses was shown "'the pattern, '" copy, or miniature model of the heavenly sanctuary (see Ex. 25:9, 40).

2 Scripture calls the sanctuary he built "the copies of the things in the heavens," and its "holy places. . . copies of the true" (Heb. 9:23, 24). The earthly sanctuary and its services, then, give us special insight into the role of the heavenly sanctuary.

Throughout, Scripture presumes the existence of a heavenly sanctuary or temple (e.g., Ps. 11:4; 102:19; Micah 1:2, 3).

3 In vision, John the revelator saw the heavenly sanctuary. He described it as "the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven" (Rev. 15:5) and "the temple of God. . . in heaven" (Rev. 11:19). There he saw the items that the furnishings of the holy place of the earthly sanctuary were modeled after, such as seven lampstands (Rev. 1:12) and an altar of incense (Rev. 8:3). And he saw there also the ark of the covenant which was like the one in the earthly Holy of Holies (Rev. 11:19).

The heavenly altar of incense is located before God's throne (Rev. 8:3; 9:13), which is in the heavenly temple of God (Rev. 4:2; 7:15; 16:17). Thus the heavenly throne room scene (Dan. 7:9, 10) is in the heavenly temple or sanctuary. This is why the final judgments issue from God's temple (Rev. 15:5-8).

The Scriptures present the heavenly sanctuary as a real place (Heb. 8:2, NEB), not a metaphor or abstraction.

4 The heavenly sanctuary is the primary dwelling place of God.

Likely depending on what theology you may believe some of the SDA teachings you won't agree with ... but their in depth teaching of the sanctuary really helps out with understanding a lot in the NT and is very enlightening.

A.ModerateOne said:

Is it "from the beginning" or "as the first fruits"?

"But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:" (2Thess 2:13, ASV)

"But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth." (2Thess 2:13, RSV)

We are always bound to thank God for you, my friends beloved by the Lord. From the beginning of time God chose you to find salvation in the Spirit who consecrates you and in the truth you believe. (2Thess 2:13, REB)

Or the following:

"But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth." (2Thess 2:13, NRSV)

"But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth." (2 Thess 2:13, ESV)

"My friends, the Lord loves you, and it is only natural for us to thank God for you. God chose you to be the first ones to be saved. His Spirit made you holy, and you put your faith in the truth." (2Thess 2:13, CEV)

The KJV, RV, YLT, NEB, REB, Weymouth, Phillips; these British translations all translate "from the beginning". For me, "from the beginning" is by far the most simple, natural and understandable translation, therefore the correct one. I see no way the Thessalonians could be "the first ones to be saved" since Paul went there on his second Missionary journey. When the Greek scholars can't agree, and I've read several views on it, the only answer for me is to go by the more natural and understandable translation. Other thoughts on this verse?

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The newer translations are based on better manuscripts.