We know, my brothers who are dearly loved by God, about your election [i.e., that you were chosen by God because of your obedient faith],

For the Lord's message sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith toward God [also] spread everywhere [else], so that we do not have to say anything [about you].

But brothers, after we were separated from you for a short time --- in person but not in spirit --- we became all the more eager [to come to you] and strongly desired to see you in person. [Note: The word "separated" here denotes the traumatic experience of a child being forcibly removed from its parents. It had been about six months since Paul left Thessalonica under adverse circumstances].

[So], for this reason, when I could not stand it any longer, I also sent [Timothy] to find out about your faith. I was afraid that somehow the tempter [i.e., Satan] had tempted you [to give up] and that our work [on your behalf] will have become useless.

But now Timothy has returned to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love, and [reported] that you have good memories of us. [He told us that you are] longing to see us, just as we also long to see you.

Now you people do not need anyone to write to you about loving [your] brothers, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.

Now brothers, you do not need to have anything written to you about the times and dates [i.e., of Christ's second coming],

But you brothers are not in the dark about that day, so that it sneaks up on you like a thief,