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General Information:
Paul gives thanks to God for the believers and encourages them.
Connecting Statement:
Paul now changes topics.
But
Paul uses this word here to mark a change in topic.
we should always give thanks
The word "always" is a generalization. AT: "we should continually give thanks" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole)
we should
Here "we" refers to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy.
brothers loved by the Lord
This can be stated in active form. AT: "for the Lord loves you, brothers" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive)
brothers
Here "brothers" means fellow Christians, including both men and women. AT: "brothers and sisters" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations)
as the firstfruits for salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth
Being among the first people to be saved is spoken of as if the Thessalonian believers are "firstfruits." This can also be stated to remove the abstract nouns "salvation," "sanctification," "belief," and "truth." AT: "to be among the first people who believe what is true, and whom God has saved and set apart for himself by his Spirit" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns)