Reference: Thessalonians, The Epistles to the
Fausets
FIRST EPISTLE. Authenticity. Ignatius, ad Polycarp 1, Ephesians 10, says "pray without ceasing" (1Th 5:17); so Polycarp, and Philippians 4. This epistle is in the Muratorian Canon, that of Marcion, and Laodicea, A.D. 364. Irenaeus (adv. Haer. 5:6, section 1) quotes 1Th 5:23; Clement of Alexandria (Paed. 1:88) quotes 1Th 2:7; Tertullian (de Resurr. Carnis 24) quotes 1Th 1:9-10; 5:1; Caius in Eusebius (Ecclesiastes Hist.) vi. 20, Origen (contra Celsus 3), also confirm it. Tertullian quotes this epistle 20 times.
AIM. After imprisonment and scourging at Philippi, Paul (1Th 2:2) passed on to Thessalonica. (See THESSALONICA.) With Silas (Ac 16:3; 17:1-9,14) and Timotheus he founded the church there (1Th 1:1; 3:1-6; 2Th 1:1). The Jews rejected the gospel when preached for three successive sabbaths; a few however "believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas, and of the devout (i.e. proselytes to Judaism) Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few." Amidst trials (1Th 1:6; 2:13) from their own countrymen and from the Jews (1Th 2:14-16) the converts "received the word with joy of the Holy Spirit."
His stay at Thessalonica was probably longer than the three weeks recorded in Ac 17:2, for some time is implied in his labouring there for support (1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:8), in his receiving supplies there more than once from Philippi (Php 4:16), in his receiving many converts from the Gentiles (1Th 1:9, and, according to the Alexandrinus manuscript of Ac 17:4, though not the Sinaiticus and Vaticanus manuscripts, "of the devout (and) of the Greeks a great multitude"), and in his appointing ministers. He probably (compare Ac 13:46; 18:6-7; 19:8-9) preached first to the Jews; then, when they rejected the message, to the Gentiles. Thenceforth he held the church assemblies in the house of Jason (Ac 17:5), his "kinsman" (Ro 16:21). His tender love and gentleness, like that of "a nurse cherishing children," disinterestedness, devotion even unto death, and zeal for individual souls, beautifully appear in 1Th 1:5; 2:1-11.
He laboured here with his own hands to further the gospel by giving an example to the idle. Contributions from Philippi also helped him at, Thessalonica (Php 4:15-16). Christ's coming and kingdom were his chief topic (1Th 1:10; 2:12,19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:1-11,23-24), that the Thessalonians should walk worthy of it (1Th 4:1). It is an undesigned coincidence confirming the authenticity of the history and of the epistles that the very charge which Jason's assailants brought against the brethren was "these do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus" (Ac 17:5-9). So in Jesus' own case they perverted His doctrine of His coming kingdom into a charge of treason against Caesar. So also the doctrine of the resurrection is prominent both in Luke's history (Ac 17:3) and in Paul's independent epistle (1Th 1:10; 4:14-16).
Paul and Silas had to flee by night to Berea; but the church and ministers had been constituted, and the Thessalonians became missionaries virtually themselves (for which the city's commerce gave facilities) both by word and by example, the report of which had reached Macedonia where Paul had been, and Achaia where he now was, at Corinth (1Th 1:7-8). From Berea Paul, after having planted a Scripture-loving church. was obliged to flee by the Thessalonian Jews who followed him there Timothy (who apparently came to Berea separately from Paul and Silas; compare Ac 17:10 with Ac 17:14) and Silas remained there still, when Paul proceeded by sea to Athens. While at Athens Paul longed to visit the Thessalonians again, and see their spiritual state, and "perfect that which was lacking in their faith" (1Th 3:10); but "Satan (through the instrumentality of the Thessalonian Jews probably, Joh 13:27) hindered" him (1Th 2:18; Ac 17:13).
He therefore sent Timothy, who followed him apparently to Athens from Berea (Ac 17:15), and immediately on his arrival at Athens to Thessalonica (1Th 3:1). Much as he would have desired Timothy's help against his Athenian opponents, he determined to forego it for the sake of the Thessalonian church. Silas does not appear to have come to Paul at Athens at all, though Paul had desired him and Timothy to "come to him with all speed" (Ac 17:15), but with Timothy (who from Thessalonica called for him at Berea) joined Paul at Corinth first (Ac 18:1,5; "when Silas and Timothy were come from Macedonia".) The epistle mentions Timothy at Athens (1Th 3:12), but not Silas. Timothy "brought good tidings of the Thessalonian church's faith and love, and good remembrance of Paul, and desire to see him" as he desired to see them (1Th 3:6-10). Their defect was the exclusive dwelling of some on Christ's kingdom to such a degree as to neglect present duties (1Th 4:11-12).
Some who had lost relatives by death doubted whether they who died before Christ's coming would share with those found alive, in His kingdom then to be revealed. Some had been quarrelsome and revengeful (1Th 5:13,15); others had even relapsed into pagan lusts, fornication, and adultery (1Th 4:3-10). Some were insubordinate toward ministers, and slighted the manifestations of the Spirit in those possessing His gifts as "prophesyings" (1Th 5:12-13,19-20). To correct these defects, to praise their graces, and to testify his love, is Paul's aim in this epistle. The place of writing was Corinth, where Timothy, with Silas, rejoined Paul (Ac 18:5).
THE TIME OF WRITING. Soon after Timothy's arrival with tidings of their state (1Th 2:17; 3:6), in the autumn A.D. 52. Paul wrote in the winter of that year, or else early in A.D. 53 at the beginning of his stay of one year and a half at Corinth (Ac 18:11). (Timothy had been sent probably from Athens to inquire: 1Th 3:1-2). For it was written not long after the conversion of the Thessalonians (1Th 1:8-9), while Paul could speak of himself as only "taken from them for a short season" (1Th 2:17). Hence, it was first in date of all Paul's extant epistles. Paul, Silas, and Timothy, the three founders of the Thessalonion church, stand at its head in the inscription. "We" is written everywhere except in 1Th 2:18; 3:5; 5:27; "we" is the true reading in 1Th 4:13. The KJV "I" in 1Th 4:9; 5:1-23, is not in the original.
STYLE. Calm, practical, and uncontroversial, because he takes for granted the doctrinal truths, which were not yet controverted. Simple, less intense, and less marked by sudden turns of thought.
GROUPING OF PAUL'S EPISTLES. Impassioned argument and vehement feeling were reserved for subsequent epistles, which had to deal with fundamental errors of doctrine, as Judaizing legalism. The second group of epistles, Corinthians, Romans, and Galatians, five years later, in opposition to the latter, unfold the cardinal doctrines of grace and justification by faith. Still later, the epistles from his Roman prison, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians confirm the same. Last of all, the pastoral epistles suit the church's developed ecclesiastical constitution, and direct as to bishops and deacons, and correct abuses and errors of later growth. His opponents in 1 Thessalonians are Jews (1Th 2:16); but in the second group Judaizing Christians. The gospel preached in the epistles to the Thessalonians is that of Christ's coming kingdom rather than the cross; for the former best met the Messianic hopes which won Jewish believers to the Christian faith; it also especially comforted the infant church under trials, and in the sacrifice of worldly pleasure and gain. The healthy condition of all the Macedonian churches accounts for the close resemblance between this epistle and the epistle to Philippians, written ten years subsequently. Hence in both he begins with warm commendations, and drops the official title of "apostle" in the salutation.
DIVISION. The same prayer ("may God Himself," etc.) recurring at 1Th 3:11-13, and 1Th 5:24, (translated "may the God of peace Himself," etc.,) apparently marks the close of the two divisions.
PERSONS ADDRESSED. The prevalence of the Gentile element in them appears from the entire absence of quotations from the Old Testament in these two epistles; also from the address being to pe
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And after the sop, then entered Satan into him. Jesus saith to him, What thou doest, do quickly.
Then Paul and Barnabas speaking with undaunted boldness, said, It was necessary that the word of God should be first spoken unto you: but since ye have thrust it from you, and judged yourselves not worthy of eternal life, lo! we turn to the Gentiles.
Him Paul resolved to take out with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places: for they all knew his father, that he was a Greek.
SO journeying through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of Jews: And Paul, according to his usual custom, went in to them, and for three sabbaths he reasoned with them from the scriptures,
And Paul, according to his usual custom, went in to them, and for three sabbaths he reasoned with them from the scriptures, opening them clearly, and laying it evidently down that the Messiah must suffer, and rise again from the dead; and that this man is the Messiah, even Jesus, whom I preach unto you.
opening them clearly, and laying it evidently down that the Messiah must suffer, and rise again from the dead; and that this man is the Messiah, even Jesus, whom I preach unto you. And some of them believed, and associated themselves with Paul and Silas; and of the religious Greeks a vast multitude, and of the wives of the first people not a few.
And some of them believed, and associated themselves with Paul and Silas; and of the religious Greeks a vast multitude, and of the wives of the first people not a few. But the unbelieving Jews, roused to a fit of zeal, and taking some of the lowest vulgar men of vile characters, and raising a mob, set the city in an uproar, and besetting the house of Jason, sought them to bring them unto the people.
But the unbelieving Jews, roused to a fit of zeal, and taking some of the lowest vulgar men of vile characters, and raising a mob, set the city in an uproar, and besetting the house of Jason, sought them to bring them unto the people.
But the unbelieving Jews, roused to a fit of zeal, and taking some of the lowest vulgar men of vile characters, and raising a mob, set the city in an uproar, and besetting the house of Jason, sought them to bring them unto the people. But not finding them there, they dragged Jason and certain brethren to the city magistrates, roaring out, These are the men who are movers of sedition through the world, and are come in hither;
But not finding them there, they dragged Jason and certain brethren to the city magistrates, roaring out, These are the men who are movers of sedition through the world, and are come in hither;
But not finding them there, they dragged Jason and certain brethren to the city magistrates, roaring out, These are the men who are movers of sedition through the world, and are come in hither; whom Jason has entertained in his house: and the practice of all these fellows is in direct opposition to all Caesar's ordinances, for they affirm that another is king, one Jesus.
whom Jason has entertained in his house: and the practice of all these fellows is in direct opposition to all Caesar's ordinances, for they affirm that another is king, one Jesus. And they greatly agitated the people and the city magistrates when they heard these things.
And they greatly agitated the people and the city magistrates when they heard these things. So after taking sufficient security from Jason and the rest, they dismissed them.
So after taking sufficient security from Jason and the rest, they dismissed them. Then the disciples immediately by night sent off both Paul and Silas to Berea; who were no sooner arrived, than they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
But when the Jews of Thessalonica knew that at Berea also the word of God was preached by Paul, they came thither, and stirred up the populace. Then immediately on this the brethren sent off Paul, to go as if by sea: but Silas and Timothy abode there still.
Then immediately on this the brethren sent off Paul, to go as if by sea: but Silas and Timothy abode there still. And those who conduced Paul brought him as far as Athens, and receiving an injunction for Silas and Timothy that they should come to him as speedily as possible, they departed.
And those who conduced Paul brought him as far as Athens, and receiving an injunction for Silas and Timothy that they should come to him as speedily as possible, they departed.
AND after these transactions, Paul departing from Athens, came to Corinth;
And when Silas and Timothy were come from Macedonia, Paul felt a strong impulse on his spirit, and forcibly testified to the Jews, that Jesus was the Messiah.
And when Silas and Timothy were come from Macedonia, Paul felt a strong impulse on his spirit, and forcibly testified to the Jews, that Jesus was the Messiah. But as they continued opposing and blaspheming, he shook his garments, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am pure from it: from this moment will I go to the Gentiles. read more. And departing thence, he came to the house of a person, called Justus, one who worshipped God, whose house was contiguous to the synagogue.
And he sat down there a year and six months, teaching among them the word of God.
And he sat down there a year and six months, teaching among them the word of God.
Then Paul abode there yet many days, and taking leave of the disciples, he set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having cut off his hair at Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
And entering into the synagogue, he spake boldly during three months, reasoning and persuading the things that concern the kingdom of God. And when some were hardened, and infidel, speaking evil of the way before the people, he withdrew from them, and separated the disciples, discoursing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
Then he dispatched into Macedonia two of those who attended upon him, Timothy and Erastus; while he himself continued a while longer in Asia.
And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater a Berean; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus, Asiatics.
And embarking in a ship of Adrymittium, ready to sail for the coast of Asia, we proceeded on our voyage, Aristarchus a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all impiety and unrighteousness of men, holding back the truth in unrighteousness.
There salute you Timothy, my fellow-labourer, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
But know also, Philippians, that at my first preaching the gospel, when I went from Macedonia, no church communicated to me in the way of giving and receiving but ye alone. For in Thessalonica also ye sent me once, yea twice, a supply for my want.
For in Thessalonica also ye sent me once, yea twice, a supply for my want.
Beware that no man make a prey of you by means of philosophy and vain delusion, after the tradition of men, after the principles of the world, and not after Christ:
Let no man therefore judge you concerning what you eat, or what you drink, or the observance of a feast, or new moon, or the sabbaths;
There salute you Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner, and Mark nephew to Barnabas, concerning whom ye have received injunctions; if he come unto you, receive him,
PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ: grace unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
knowing, brethren, beloved of God, your election. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in great fulness of assurance; as ye know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes. read more. And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, receiving the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost; so that ye became models for all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only into Macedonia and Achaia, but into every region also your fidelity towards God is gone out, so that we have no need to say any thing.
For from you sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only into Macedonia and Achaia, but into every region also your fidelity towards God is gone out, so that we have no need to say any thing. For they publish concerning you what manner of entrance we had unto you, and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve the living and true God,
For they publish concerning you what manner of entrance we had unto you, and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve the living and true God,
For they publish concerning you what manner of entrance we had unto you, and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve the living and true God,
For they publish concerning you what manner of entrance we had unto you, and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from the heavens, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come.
and to wait for his Son from the heavens, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come.
and to wait for his Son from the heavens, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come.
FOR ye yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in to you, that it was not in vain. But though we had suffered before, and were infamously treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to preach unto you the gospel of God amidst a great conflict.
But though we had suffered before, and were infamously treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to preach unto you the gospel of God amidst a great conflict. And our exhortation originated not from delusion, or impurity, or from guile; read more. but as we have been approved of God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we insinuating language, as ye know, nor a pretext for covetousness; God is witness: not seeking glory from men, neither from you, nor from others, though we might have been burdensome, as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle in the midst of you, as a nurse cherisheth her own infants.
But we were gentle in the midst of you, as a nurse cherisheth her own infants. So, tenderly affected towards you, we could with pleasure have imparted to you not the gospel of God only, but our own lives also, because ye were beloved by us. read more. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and toil: for night and day working hard, that we might be no burden to any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and toil: for night and day working hard, that we might be no burden to any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and faultlessly we conducted ourselves among you that believe: read more. as ye know how [we treated] every one of you, as a father doth his children, exhorting you, and admonishing, and conjuring you, that ye should walk worthy of God, as calling you into his kingdom and glory. For this cause do we also give thanks to God unceasingly, because when ye received the word reported by us from God, ye received it not as the word of man, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which worketh also effectually in you that believe. For ye, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea, in Christ Jesus: for ye suffered the same things also yourselves from your own countrymen, as they too have of the Jews; who both murdered the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us, and please not God, and are in opposition to all mankind;
who both murdered the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us, and please not God, and are in opposition to all mankind; forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved, to fill up the measure of their iniquities always: but wrath is coming upon them to the extremity.
forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved, to fill up the measure of their iniquities always: but wrath is coming upon them to the extremity.
forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved, to fill up the measure of their iniquities always: but wrath is coming upon them to the extremity. But we, brethren, bereaved of you for a short moment, in person, not in heart, have more abundantly longed to see your face with great desire.
But we, brethren, bereaved of you for a short moment, in person, not in heart, have more abundantly longed to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wished to have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan prevented us.
Therefore we wished to have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan prevented us.
Therefore we wished to have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan prevented us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
WHEREFORE when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone:
WHEREFORE when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone:
WHEREFORE when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone: and sent Timothy our brother, and a minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, that he might stablish you, and comfort you concerning your faith:
and sent Timothy our brother, and a minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, that he might stablish you, and comfort you concerning your faith: that no man might be shaken by these tribulations; for ye yourselves know that thereunto we are appointed. read more. For when we were with you, we told you before that we were about to suffer tribulation; as also it came to pass, and ye know. For this cause also, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your fidelity, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labour should be in vain.
For this cause also, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your fidelity, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labour should be in vain.
For this cause also, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your fidelity, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labour should be in vain. But now when Timothy returned to us from you, and brought us the glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye retain a kind remembrance of us always, earnestly desirous to see us, as we are also to see you:
But now when Timothy returned to us from you, and brought us the glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye retain a kind remembrance of us always, earnestly desirous to see us, as we are also to see you:
But now when Timothy returned to us from you, and brought us the glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye retain a kind remembrance of us always, earnestly desirous to see us, as we are also to see you: for this cause we have felt consolation, brethren, in you under all our tribulation and distress, because of your fidelity. read more. For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. For what sufficient thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice on your account before our God, night and day most fervently praying that we may see your face, and amply supply the deficiencies of your faith?
night and day most fervently praying that we may see your face, and amply supply the deficiencies of your faith? Now God himself, and our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you. read more. And the Lord cause you to abound and overflow with love one to another, and towards all men, as we also do to you:
And the Lord cause you to abound and overflow with love one to another, and towards all men, as we also do to you: to the end that your hearts may be established blameless in holiness before God and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
to the end that your hearts may be established blameless in holiness before God and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
to the end that your hearts may be established blameless in holiness before God and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
FINALLY, brethren, we beseech you therefore, and conjure you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk, and please God, so ye would abound more and more.
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from whoredom; that every one of you may know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honour, read more. not in the vile passion of lewdness, as the Gentiles which know not God;
not in the vile passion of lewdness, as the Gentiles which know not God; that no man transgress against, or act dishonestly to his brother in this matter because the Lord is the avenger of all such things, as we have told you before, and testified. read more. For God hath not called us unto impurity, but unto holiness. Therefore he that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit. Now concerning brotherly love, I have no need to write unto you: for ye yourselves are divinely taught to love one another.
Now concerning brotherly love, I have no need to write unto you: for ye yourselves are divinely taught to love one another. And indeed ye practise it towards all the brethren that are throughout Macedonia: but we conjure you, brethren, to abound more and more; read more. and that you make it your study to live peaceably, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we have enjoined you; that ye walk becomingly towards those without, and need no assistance from any person. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are fallen asleep, that ye be not afflicted, as the rest [of mankind] who have no hope.
Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are fallen asleep, that ye be not afflicted, as the rest [of mankind] who have no hope.
Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are fallen asleep, that ye be not afflicted, as the rest [of mankind] who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, so also those that have fallen asleep for Jesus shall God bring with him.
For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, so also those that have fallen asleep for Jesus shall God bring with him. For this I say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent those who are fallen asleep.
For this I say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent those who are fallen asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we who are alive, who remain, shall be caught up together with them into the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we be ever with the Lord. read more. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
NOW concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I should write to you:
NOW concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I should write to you:
NOW concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I should write to you: for yourselves know precisely that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
for yourselves know precisely that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
for yourselves know precisely that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction rusheth upon them, as travail on a woman with child, and they shall in no wise escape.
For when they say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction rusheth upon them, as travail on a woman with child, and they shall in no wise escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief.
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of day: we are not the children of night, nor of darkness.
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of day: we are not the children of night, nor of darkness. Let us not then sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
Let us not then sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they who sleep, sleep in the night, and they who are drunken, are drunken in the night;
For they who sleep, sleep in the night, and they who are drunken, are drunken in the night; but let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
but let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we sleep, or whether we wake, we may live together with him.
who died for us, that whether we sleep, or whether we wake, we may live together with him. Wherefore comfort one another, and edify one another, as also ye do.
Wherefore comfort one another, and edify one another, as also ye do. Now we entreat you, brethren, to know those who labour among you, and preside over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
Now we entreat you, brethren, to know those who labour among you, and preside over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to account of them very highly in love for their work's sake. And live in peace among yourselves.
and to account of them very highly in love for their work's sake. And live in peace among yourselves.
and to account of them very highly in love for their work's sake. And live in peace among yourselves. Now we conjure you, brethren, admonish the unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the infirm, be patient with all men.
Now we conjure you, brethren, admonish the unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the infirm, be patient with all men. See that no man return evil for evil to any man; but always pursue that which is good, both towards one another, and towards all men.
See that no man return evil for evil to any man; but always pursue that which is good, both towards one another, and towards all men. Rejoice evermore. read more. Pray without ceasing.
Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-wards. read more. Quench not the Spirit.
Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings.
Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. read more. Abstain from all appearance of evil. Now the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved faultless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved faultless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved faultless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
I conjure you by the Lord, that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, as it is fit, because your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth:
in a flame of fire, taking vengeance of them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
in a flame of fire, taking vengeance of them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall receive punishment, even eternal perdition, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power: read more. when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired by all those who believe; because our testimony was believed among you in that day.
NOW we entreat you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him: that ye be not hastily agitated with apprehension, nor troubled, neither by spirit, nor by discourse, nor by letter, as coming from us, as though the day of the Lord was instantly approaching.
that ye be not hastily agitated with apprehension, nor troubled, neither by spirit, nor by discourse, nor by letter, as coming from us, as though the day of the Lord was instantly approaching.
that ye be not hastily agitated with apprehension, nor troubled, neither by spirit, nor by discourse, nor by letter, as coming from us, as though the day of the Lord was instantly approaching. Let no man deceive you in any way: because that cannot be till the apostasy come first, and the man of sin appear, the son of perdition,
Do ye not remember that when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
And then that lawless person will appear, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming; whose appearing is known by fanatical energy, displayed in all power, and signs, and lying miracles,
FINALLY, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run, and be glorified, even as among you; and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for there is not faith in all.
and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for there is not faith in all.
and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for there is not faith in all. But the Lord is faithful, who will stablish you, and keep you from the wicked one. read more. But we have confidence in the Lord towards you, that the things which we have enjoined you, ye both do, and will do. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw yourselves from every brother who walketh disorderly, and not according to the injunction which he hath received from us.
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw yourselves from every brother who walketh disorderly, and not according to the injunction which he hath received from us.
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw yourselves from every brother who walketh disorderly, and not according to the injunction which he hath received from us. For ye yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us; for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you,
For ye yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us; for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you, neither did we eat bread with any man unpaid for, but with labour and toil worked night and day, that we might be burdensome to none of you:
neither did we eat bread with any man unpaid for, but with labour and toil worked night and day, that we might be burdensome to none of you: not that we have not such power, but that we might be ourselves an example for you to imitate.
not that we have not such power, but that we might be ourselves an example for you to imitate. For when we were with you, this we enjoined you, that if a man would not work, neither should he eat.
For when we were with you, this we enjoined you, that if a man would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some among you who walk disorderly, doing no work, but being busy-bodies.
For we hear that there are some among you who walk disorderly, doing no work, but being busy-bodies. Now such we command, and conjure, by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they labour, and eat their own bread.
Now such we command, and conjure, by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they labour, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary of well doing.
But ye, brethren, be not weary of well doing. And if any man obey not our word by letter, mark that man, and maintain no society with him, that he may be ashamed.
And if any man obey not our word by letter, mark that man, and maintain no society with him, that he may be ashamed.
And if any man obey not our word by letter, mark that man, and maintain no society with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet regard him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Yet regard him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. And the Lord of peace himself give you peace, by every means, in every situation. The Lord be with you all. read more. The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is my sign in every letter: so I write.