Reference: Thessalonians, First Epistle to The
Hastings
THESSALONIANS, FIRST EPISTLE TO THE
1.Occasion and date.
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So they bade them withdraw from the Sanhedrin, while they conferred together. "What," said they, "shall we do with these men? For it is well known throughout Jerusalem that a notable miracle has been performed by them, and we cannot deny it. read more. "But that the matter may spread no further among the people, let us threaten them not to speak to any one hereafter about this name."
On the next Sabbath almost the entire city was gathered together to know the word of God. When they saw the crowds, the Jews were filled with jealousy, and began to contradict Paul's statements, and to abuse him. read more. So Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly. "It was necessary," they said, "first to proclaim the word of God to you. But since you push it away from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
They chose elders for them in every church, after prayer and fasting, and commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Some were persuaded and attached themselves to Paul and Silas, including a number of devout Greeks, and a large number of the leading women.
Some were persuaded and attached themselves to Paul and Silas, including a number of devout Greeks, and a large number of the leading women.
Some were persuaded and attached themselves to Paul and Silas, including a number of devout Greeks, and a large number of the leading women.
Those who were caring for Paul brought him as far as Athens, and there left him, with instructions to Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed. While Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him, when he noticed that the city was full of idols.
And when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was engrossed in his message, earnestly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.
For I know, if this earthly tent of mine were struck, I have a mansion built by God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
For, with me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But now, if life in the flesh, if this be the fruit of my toil??hat to choose I do not know, read more. but am in a quandary between the two. I am perplexed. I have a strong desire to break camp and to be with Christ, which is far better; but for your sakes it is more necessary that I should still live on in the body.
if by any means I might attain to the resurrection from the dead!
But commonwealth is in heaven; and it is from heaven also that we are anxiously awaiting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change the fashion of the body of our abasement into the likeness of his glorious body by the energy with which he is able even to subject all things to himself.
Let your reasonableness be recognized by every one. The Lord is near you.
For even while I was still in Thessalonica, you sent once and again for my needs.
because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Long ago you heard of this hope in the message which came to you of the truth of the gospel.
I ask that you may give thanks to the Father who has made us fit to receive our share of the heritage of the saints in the light. For he has delivered us out of the dominion of the darkness, and transplanted us into the kingdom of his dear Son,
Paul and Silas and Timothy. To the church of the Thessalonians which is in God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be to you, and peace.
For others, of their own accord, tell about the welcome I had from you, and how you turned to God from your idols, to be slaved of a true and living God, and to await for the coming of his Son from the heavens, the Son whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, our Deliverer from the wrath to come.
On the contrary I showed myself among you as gentle as a mother, when she tenderly nurses her own children. So in my fond affection it was my joy to give you, not only the gospel of God, but my very life also, because you had become dear to me. read more. You recall, brothers, my labor and toil; how, while working at my trade day and night, so as not to become a burden to any of you, I proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses??nd so is God??ow pure and just and blameless was my behavior among you believers. You know how I was wont to treat each of you as a father treats his children, exhorting and imploring and adjuring each one among you to lead a life worthy of the God who called you into his own kingdom and glory.
For you, brothers, began to follow the example of the churches of God in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus; and you in your turn suffered at the hands of your fellow citizens persecutions like to those which they endured from the Jews??15 The men who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out??hey are displeasing to God, and are the enemies of all mankind.
For you, brothers, began to follow the example of the churches of God in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus; and you in your turn suffered at the hands of your fellow citizens persecutions like to those which they endured from the Jews??15 The men who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out??hey are displeasing to God, and are the enemies of all mankind.
They forbid me to speak to the Gentiles with a view to their salvation. They continue always to fill up the measure of their sins; but the wrath of God is come upon them to the full!
They forbid me to speak to the Gentiles with a view to their salvation. They continue always to fill up the measure of their sins; but the wrath of God is come upon them to the full!
They forbid me to speak to the Gentiles with a view to their salvation. They continue always to fill up the measure of their sins; but the wrath of God is come upon them to the full! But I, my brothers, although torn from you for a short season (in presence, not in heart), made eager efforts to behold you face to face with strong longing. read more. For that reason I would fain have visited you??, Paul, again and again??ut Satan hindered me.
And so, when I could no longer bear it, I made up my mind to be left behind at Athens, all alone.
And so, when I could no longer bear it, I made up my mind to be left behind at Athens, all alone. I sent Timothy, my brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and to hearten you in your faith.
I sent Timothy, my brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and to hearten you in your faith.
So, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that my labor had been in vain. But now that Timothy has returned from you to me, and has brought good news of your faith and love, and that you are still holding me in affectionate remembrance, always longing to see me as I also am longing to see you.
But now that Timothy has returned from you to me, and has brought good news of your faith and love, and that you are still holding me in affectionate remembrance, always longing to see me as I also am longing to see you. I have been comforted, my brothers, in regard to you, in spite of all my distress and affliction over your faith. read more. For now I am really living, if you are standing firm in the Lord.
Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct my path to you. Meanwhile, may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all men, even as I do toward you. read more. And so may he establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus, with all his saints.
Finally then, my brothers, I continue to beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you learned of me how to walk so as to please God??nd you are actually doing so??hat you abound in it yet more and more. For you know what charges I laid upon you through the Lord Jesus. read more. For this is God's will, even your sanctification; that you should abstain from sexual vice. That each one should learn how to take a wife in purity and honor. Not in the passion of lust, like the Gentiles who know not God. That no man overreach or take advantage of his brother in such matters, because "the Lord takes vengeance" in all these things, as also I repeatedly forewarned you and testified to you. For God has not called us for uncleanness, but in holiness. So that he who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the God who gave you his Holy Spirit. It is not needed that I should write to you about brotherly love; for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another. As indeed you do love all the brothers in Macedonia. But I exhort you, brothers, to abound in this yet more. Also, that you endeavor to live quietly and to mind your own business, and to work with your hands (as I charged you). So that your conduct may be seemly toward those that are without, and that you may not need help from any man. But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, about those who are falling asleep. You must not sorrow like other men, who have no hope. For if we really believe that Jesus died and rose again, so even so will God through Jesus bring with him those also who have fallen asleep. For this I tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are living, who survive unto the coming of the Lord, will in no wise precede those who have fallen asleep.
For this I tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are living, who survive unto the coming of the Lord, will in no wise precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God will descend from heaven. Then the dead in Christ will rise first. read more. And afterwards we who are alive, who remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. So comfort one another with these words.
Now as to the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you. You yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. read more. While men are saying "Peace and safety," then, like birth-pangs upon a woman with child, destruction will come upon them suddenly. In no wise will they escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that "the Day" should come upon you like a bandit. For you are all sons of light, and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness. So then let us not be sleeping as do the rest, but let us be watchful and self-controlled. For those who are sleeping, sleep in the night, and those who are drunken, are drunken in the night. But let us who are of the day be self-controlled, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us, in order that whether we are keeping vigil in life or sleeping in death we may ever be living together with him. So comfort one another, and try to build one another up, as indeed you are doing. I entreat you, brothers, to acknowledge those who are toiling among you and are your leaders in the Lord, and give you counsel.
I entreat you, brothers, to acknowledge those who are toiling among you and are your leaders in the Lord, and give you counsel. Esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Live in peace among yourselves. read more. And, brothers, we urge you to admonish the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, sustain the weak, lose patience with none. Take care that none of you ever return evil for evil, but always pursue what is kind to one another and to all. Always be joyful. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Quench not the Spirit. Do not despise prophesyings. But try all, holding fast to the good. Hold aloof from every form of evil. May the God of peace consecrate you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept altogether faultless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will fulfil my prayer. Brothers, pray for me. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. I adjure you, in the name of the Lord, to have this letter read to all the brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Smith
Thessalo'nians, First Epistle to the,
was written by the apostle Paul at Corinth, a few months after he had founded the church at Thessalonica, at the close of the year A.D. 62 or the beginning of 53. The Epistles to the Thessalonians, then (for the second followed the first after no long interval), are the earliest of St. Paul's writings --perhaps the earliest written records of Christianity. It is interesting, therefore, to compare the Thessalonian epistles with the later letters, and to note the points of These differences are mainly
1. In the general style of these earlier letters there is greater simplicity and less exuberance of language.
2. The antagonism to St. Paul is not the same. Here the opposition comes from Jews. A period of five years changes the aspect of the controversy. The opponents of St. Paul are then no longer Jews so much as Judaizing Christians.
3. Many of the distinctive doctrines of Christianity were yet not evolved and distinctly enunciated till the needs of the Church drew them out into prominence at a later date. It has often been observed, for instance, that there is in the Epistles to the Thessalonians no mention of the characteristic contrast of "faith and works;" that the word "justification" does not once occur; that the idea of dying with Christ and living with Christ, so frequent in St. Paul's later writings, is absent in these. In the Epistles to the Thessalonians, the gospel preached is that of the coming of Christ, rather than of the cross of Christ. The occasion of this epistle was as follows: St. Paul had twice attempted to re-visit Thessalonica, and both times had been disappointed. Thus prevented from seeing them in person, he had sent Timothy to inquire and report to him as to their condition.
Timothy returned with more favorable tidings, reporting not only their progress in Christian faith and practice, but also their strong attachment to their old teacher.
The First Epistle to the Thessalonians is the outpouring of the apostle's gratitude on receiving this welcome news. At the same time there report of Timothy was not unmixed with alloy. There were certain features in the condition of the Thessalonian church which called for St. Paul's interference and to which he addresses himself in his letter.
1. The very intensity of their Christian faith, dwelling too exclusively on the day of the Lord's coming, had been attended with evil consequences. On the other hand, a theoretical difficulty had been felt. Certain members of the church had died, and there was great anxiety lest they should be excluded from any share in the glories of the Lord's advent. ch.
2. The Thessalonians needed consolation and encouragement under persecution. ch.
3. An unhealthy state of feeling with regard to spiritual gifts was manifesting itself. ch.
4. There was the danger of relapsing into their old heathen profligacy. ch.
Yet notwithstanding all these drawbacks, the condition of the Thessalonian church was highly satisfactory, and the most cordial relations existed between St. Paul and his converts there. This honorable distinction it shares with the other great church of Macedonia, that of Philippi. The epistle is rather practical than doctrinal. The external evidence in favor of the genuineness of the First Epistle to the Thessalonians is chiefly negative, but this is important enough. There is no trace that it was ever disputed at any age or in any section of the Church, or even by any individual till the present century. Toward the close of the second century from Irenaeus downward. we find this epistle directly quoted and ascribed to Paul. The evidence derived from the character of the epistle itself is so strong that it may fairly be called irresistible.
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For you, brothers, began to follow the example of the churches of God in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus; and you in your turn suffered at the hands of your fellow citizens persecutions like to those which they endured from the Jews??15 The men who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out??hey are displeasing to God, and are the enemies of all mankind.
And so, when I could no longer bear it, I made up my mind to be left behind at Athens, all alone. I sent Timothy, my brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and to hearten you in your faith.
I sent Timothy, my brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and to hearten you in your faith. So that no one should be shaken by these troubles??or you know well that we are appointed to troubles.
So that no one should be shaken by these troubles??or you know well that we are appointed to troubles. For even when I was with you I used to tell you beforehand that I was to suffer affliction; and so it proved, as you know.
For even when I was with you I used to tell you beforehand that I was to suffer affliction; and so it proved, as you know. So, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that my labor had been in vain.
So, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that my labor had been in vain. But now that Timothy has returned from you to me, and has brought good news of your faith and love, and that you are still holding me in affectionate remembrance, always longing to see me as I also am longing to see you.
But now that Timothy has returned from you to me, and has brought good news of your faith and love, and that you are still holding me in affectionate remembrance, always longing to see me as I also am longing to see you.
But now that Timothy has returned from you to me, and has brought good news of your faith and love, and that you are still holding me in affectionate remembrance, always longing to see me as I also am longing to see you. I have been comforted, my brothers, in regard to you, in spite of all my distress and affliction over your faith.
I have been comforted, my brothers, in regard to you, in spite of all my distress and affliction over your faith. For now I am really living, if you are standing firm in the Lord.
For now I am really living, if you are standing firm in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can I render again to God in your behalf, in return for all the joy which you cause me in the presence of my God?
For what thanksgiving can I render again to God in your behalf, in return for all the joy which you cause me in the presence of my God? Night and day I am praying earnestly that I may see you face to face, and may perfect whatever is yet lacking in your faith.
Night and day I am praying earnestly that I may see you face to face, and may perfect whatever is yet lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct my path to you. read more. Meanwhile, may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all men, even as I do toward you. And so may he establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus, with all his saints.
That each one should learn how to take a wife in purity and honor. Not in the passion of lust, like the Gentiles who know not God. read more. That no man overreach or take advantage of his brother in such matters, because "the Lord takes vengeance" in all these things, as also I repeatedly forewarned you and testified to you. For God has not called us for uncleanness, but in holiness. So that he who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the God who gave you his Holy Spirit.
But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, about those who are falling asleep. You must not sorrow like other men, who have no hope. For if we really believe that Jesus died and rose again, so even so will God through Jesus bring with him those also who have fallen asleep. read more. For this I tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are living, who survive unto the coming of the Lord, will in no wise precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God will descend from heaven. Then the dead in Christ will rise first. And afterwards we who are alive, who remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. So comfort one another with these words.