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 when he took the bread, at that moment Satan entered him. Then Jesus told him, "Be quick with what you have to do."
So Paul and Barnabas spoke out fearlessly. "The word of God," they said, "had to be spoken to you in the first instance; but as you push it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, well, here we turn to the Gentiles!
so, as Paul wished him to go abroad with him, he took and circumcised him on account of the local Jews, all of whom knew his father had been a Greek.
Travelling on through Amphipolis and Apollonia they reached Thessalonica. Here there was a Jewish synagogue, and Paul as usual went in; for three sabbaths he argued with them on the scriptures,
and Paul as usual went in; for three sabbaths he argued with them on the scriptures, explaining and quoting passages to prove that the messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead, and that "the Jesus I proclaim to you is the messiah."
explaining and quoting passages to prove that the messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead, and that "the Jesus I proclaim to you is the messiah." Some were persuaded and threw in their lot with Paul and Silas, including a host of devout Greeks and a large number of the leading women.
Some were persuaded and threw in their lot with Paul and Silas, including a host of devout Greeks and a large number of the leading women. But the Jews were aroused to jealousy; they got hold of some idle rascals to form a mob and set the town in an uproar; they attacked Jason's house in the endeavour to bring them out before the populace,
But the Jews were aroused to jealousy; they got hold of some idle rascals to form a mob and set the town in an uproar; they attacked Jason's house in the endeavour to bring them out before the populace,
But the Jews were aroused to jealousy; they got hold of some idle rascals to form a mob and set the town in an uproar; they attacked Jason's house in the endeavour to bring them out before the populace, but as they failed to find Paul and Silas they haled Jason and some of the brothers before the politarchs, yelling, "These upsetters of the whole world have come here too!
but as they failed to find Paul and Silas they haled Jason and some of the brothers before the politarchs, yelling, "These upsetters of the whole world have come here too!
but as they failed to find Paul and Silas they haled Jason and some of the brothers before the politarchs, yelling, "These upsetters of the whole world have come here too! Jason has welcomed them! They all violate the decrees of Caesar by declaring someone else called Jesus is king."
Jason has welcomed them! They all violate the decrees of Caesar by declaring someone else called Jesus is king." Both the crowd and the politarchs were disturbed when they heard this;
Both the crowd and the politarchs were disturbed when they heard this; however, they let Jason and the others go, after binding them over to keep the peace.
however, they let Jason and the others go, after binding them over to keep the peace. Then the brothers at once sent off Paul and Silas by night to Beroea. When they arrived there, they betook themselves to the Jewish synagogue,
But when the Jews of Thessalonica heard that Paul was proclaiming the word of God at Beroea as well, they came to create a disturbance and a riot among the crowds at Beroea too. The brothers then sent off Paul at once on his way to the sea, while Silas and Timotheus remained where they were.
The brothers then sent off Paul at once on his way to the sea, while Silas and Timotheus remained where they were. Paul's escort brought him as far as Athens and left with instructions that Silas and Timotheus were to join him as soon as possible.
Paul's escort brought him as far as Athens and left with instructions that Silas and Timotheus were to join him as soon as possible.
By the time Silas and Timotheus came south from Macedonia, Paul was engrossed in this preaching of the word, arguing to the Jews that the messiah was Jesus.
By the time Silas and Timotheus came south from Macedonia, Paul was engrossed in this preaching of the word, arguing to the Jews that the messiah was Jesus. But as they opposed and abused him, he shook out his garments in protest, saying, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am not responsible! After this I will go to the Gentiles." read more. Then he removed to the house of a devout proselyte called Titus Justus, which adjoined the synagogue.
So he settled there for a year and six months, teaching them the word of God.
So he settled there for a year and six months, teaching them the word of God.
After waiting on for a number of days Paul said goodbye to the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. (As the latter was under a vow, he had his head shaved at Cenchreae.)
Then Paul entered the synagogue and for three months spoke out fearlessly, arguing and persuading people about the Reign of God. But as some grew stubborn and disobedient, decrying the Way in presence of the multitude, he left them, withdrew the disciples, and continued his argument every day from eleven to four in the lecture-room of Tyrannus.
So he despatched two of his assistants to Macedonia, Timotheus and Erastus, while he himself stayed on awhile in Asia.
His company as far as Asia consisted of Sopater of Beroea (the son of Pyrrhus), Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius of Derbe, Timotheus, and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia.
Embarking in an Andramyttian ship which was bound for the Asiatic seaports, we set sail, accompanied by a Macedonian from Thessalonica called Aristarchus.
But God's anger is revealed from heaven against all the impiety and wickedness of those who hinder the Truth by their wickedness.
Timotheus my fellow-worker salutes you; so do my fellow countrymen Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater.
You Philippians are well aware that in the early days of the gospel, when I had left Macedonia, no church but yourselves had any financial dealings with me; even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent money more than once for my needs.
Beware of anyone getting hold of you by means of a theosophy which is specious make-believe, on the lines of human tradition, corresponding to the Elemental spirits of the world and not to Christ.
So let no one take you to task on questions of eating and drinking or in connexion with the observance of festivals or new moons or sabbaths.
Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you; so does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, about whom you have got instructions (if he comes to you, give him a welcome);
Paul and Silvanus and Timotheus, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace and peace to you.
O brothers beloved by God, we know he has chosen you; for our gospel came to you not with mere words but also with power and with the holy Spirit, with ample conviction on our part (you know what we were to you, for your own good), read more. and you started to copy us and the Lord, welcoming the word, though it brought you heavy trouble, with a joy inspired by the holy Spirit. Thus you became a pattern to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia; for the word of the Lord has resounded from you not only through Macedonia and Achaia ??no, your faith in God has reached every place. We never need to speak about it.
for the word of the Lord has resounded from you not only through Macedonia and Achaia ??no, your faith in God has reached every place. We never need to speak about it. People tell us of their own accord about the visit we paid to you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and a real God
People tell us of their own accord about the visit we paid to you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and a real God
People tell us of their own accord about the visit we paid to you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and a real God
People tell us of their own accord about the visit we paid to you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and a real God and to wait for the coming of his Son from heaven ??the Son whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who rescues us from the Wrath to come.
and to wait for the coming of his Son from heaven ??the Son whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who rescues us from the Wrath to come.
and to wait for the coming of his Son from heaven ??the Son whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who rescues us from the Wrath to come.
But you remember yourselves, brothers, that our visit to you was no failure. At Philippi, as you know, we had been ill-treated and insulted, but we took courage and confidence in our God to tell you the gospel of God in spite of all the strain.
At Philippi, as you know, we had been ill-treated and insulted, but we took courage and confidence in our God to tell you the gospel of God in spite of all the strain. For the appeal we make does not spring from any delusion or from impure motives ??it does not work by cunning; read more. no, God has attested our fitness to be entrusted with the gospel, and so we tell the gospel not to satisfy men but to satisfy the God who tests our hearts. We never resorted to flattery (you know that), nor to any pretext for self-seeking (God is witness to that); we never sought honour from men, from you or from anybody else, though as apostles of Christ we had the power of claiming to be men of weight; no, we behaved gently when we were among you, like a nursing mother cherishing her own children,
no, we behaved gently when we were among you, like a nursing mother cherishing her own children, fain, in our yearning affection for you, to impart not only the gospel of God to you but our very souls as well ??you had so won our love. read more. Brothers, you recollect our hard labour and toil, how we worked at our trade night and day, when we preached the gospel to you, so as not to be a burden to any of you.
Brothers, you recollect our hard labour and toil, how we worked at our trade night and day, when we preached the gospel to you, so as not to be a burden to any of you. You are witnesses, and so is God, to our behaviour among you believers, how pious and upright and blameless it was, read more. how (as you know) we treated each of you as a father treats his children, beseeching you, encouraging you, and charging you to lead a life worthy of the God who called you to his own realm and glory. We thank God constantly for this too, that when you received the word of the divine message from us, you took it not as a human word but for what it really is, the word of God. It proves effective in you believers, for you have started, my brothers, to copy the churches of God in Christ Jesus throughout Judaea; you have suffered from your compatriots just as they have suffered from the Jews, who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, who harassed ourselves, who offend God and oppose all men
who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, who harassed ourselves, who offend God and oppose all men by hindering us from speaking words of salvation to the Gentiles. So they would fill up the measure of their sins to the last drop! But the Wrath is on them to the bitter end!
by hindering us from speaking words of salvation to the Gentiles. So they would fill up the measure of their sins to the last drop! But the Wrath is on them to the bitter end!
by hindering us from speaking words of salvation to the Gentiles. So they would fill up the measure of their sins to the last drop! But the Wrath is on them to the bitter end! Brothers, when we were bereft of you for a little while (out of sight, not out of mind), we were the more eager to see you. We had a keen longing for you.
Brothers, when we were bereft of you for a little while (out of sight, not out of mind), we were the more eager to see you. We had a keen longing for you. (We did want to reach you ??I did, I Paul, more than once ??but Satan stopped us.)
(We did want to reach you ??I did, I Paul, more than once ??but Satan stopped us.)
(We did want to reach you ??I did, I Paul, more than once ??but Satan stopped us.) For who is our hope, our joy, our crown of pride (who but you?) in the presence of our Lord Jesus on his arrival?
So, unable to bear it any longer, I made up my mind to be left behind at Athens all alone;
So, unable to bear it any longer, I made up my mind to be left behind at Athens all alone;
So, unable to bear it any longer, I made up my mind to be left behind at Athens all alone; I sent Timotheus our brother, a minister of God in the gospel of Christ, for your strengthening and encouragement in the faith,
I sent Timotheus our brother, a minister of God in the gospel of Christ, for your strengthening and encouragement in the faith, to prevent anyone being disturbed by these troubles. (Troubles are our lot, you know that well; read more. for we told you beforehand, when we were with you, that "we Christians are to have trouble" ??and, as you know, it has been so.) Well then, unable to bear it any longer, I sent to find out about your faith, in case the Tempter had tempted you and our labour had been thrown away.
Well then, unable to bear it any longer, I sent to find out about your faith, in case the Tempter had tempted you and our labour had been thrown away.
Well then, unable to bear it any longer, I sent to find out about your faith, in case the Tempter had tempted you and our labour had been thrown away. But when Timotheus reached me a moment ago, on his return from you, bringing me the good news of your faith and love and of how you always remember me kindly, longing to see me as I long to see you,
But when Timotheus reached me a moment ago, on his return from you, bringing me the good news of your faith and love and of how you always remember me kindly, longing to see me as I long to see you,
But when Timotheus reached me a moment ago, on his return from you, bringing me the good news of your faith and love and of how you always remember me kindly, longing to see me as I long to see you, then, amid all my own distress and trouble, I was cheered ??this faith of yours encouraged me. read more. It is life to me now, if you stand firm in the Lord. How can I render thanks enough to God for you, for all the joy you make me feel in the presence of our God? Night and day I pray specially that I may see your faces and supply what is defective in your faith.
Night and day I pray specially that I may see your faces and supply what is defective in your faith. May our God and Father and our Lord Jesus direct my way to you! read more. And may the Lord make you increase and excel in love to one another and to all men (as is my love for you),
And may the Lord make you increase and excel in love to one another and to all men (as is my love for you), so as to strengthen your hearts and make them blameless in holiness before our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. [Amen.]
so as to strengthen your hearts and make them blameless in holiness before our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. [Amen.]
so as to strengthen your hearts and make them blameless in holiness before our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. [Amen.]
Finally, brothers, we beg and beseech you in the Lord Jesus to follow our instructions about the way you are to live so as to satisfy God; you are leading that life, but you are to excel in it still further.
It is God's will that you should be consecrated, that you abstain from sexual vice, that each of you should learn to take a wife for himself chastely and honourably, read more. not to gratify sensual passion like the Gentiles in their ignorance of God ??6 no one is to defraud or overreach his brother in this matter, for the Lord avenges all these sins, as we told you already in our solemn protest against them.
not to gratify sensual passion like the Gentiles in their ignorance of God ??6 no one is to defraud or overreach his brother in this matter, for the Lord avenges all these sins, as we told you already in our solemn protest against them.
God did not call us to be impure but to be consecrated; hence, he who disregards this, disregards not man but the God who gave you his holy Spirit. read more. You need no one to write you upon brotherly love, for you are yourselves taught by God to love one another,
You need no one to write you upon brotherly love, for you are yourselves taught by God to love one another, as indeed is your practice towards all the brothers throughout all Macedonia. We beseech you, brothers, to excel in this more and more; read more. also, endeavour to live quietly, attend to your own business, and ??as we charged you ??work with your hands, so that your life may be correct in the eyes of the outside world and self-supporting. We would like you, brothers, to understand about those who are asleep in death. You must not grieve for them, like the rest of men who have no hope.
We would like you, brothers, to understand about those who are asleep in death. You must not grieve for them, like the rest of men who have no hope.
We would like you, brothers, to understand about those who are asleep in death. You must not grieve for them, like the rest of men who have no hope. Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then it follows that by means of Jesus God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then it follows that by means of Jesus God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For we tell you, as the Lord has told us, that we the living, who survive till the Lord comes, are by no means to take precedence of those who have fallen asleep.
For we tell you, as the Lord has told us, that we the living, who survive till the Lord comes, are by no means to take precedence of those who have fallen asleep. The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a loud summons, when the archangel calls and the trumpet of God sounds; the dead in Christ will rise first;
The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a loud summons, when the archangel calls and the trumpet of God sounds; the dead in Christ will rise first; then we the living, who survive, will be caught up along with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall be with the Lord for ever. read more. Now then, encourage one another with these words.
As regards the course and periods of time, brothers, you have no need of being written to.
As regards the course and periods of time, brothers, you have no need of being written to.
As regards the course and periods of time, brothers, you have no need of being written to. You know perfectly well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night;
You know perfectly well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night;
You know perfectly well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night; when 'all's well' and 'all is safe' are on the lips of men, then all of a sudden Destruction is upon them, like pangs on a pregnant woman ??escape there is none.
when 'all's well' and 'all is safe' are on the lips of men, then all of a sudden Destruction is upon them, like pangs on a pregnant woman ??escape there is none. But, brothers, you are not in the darkness for the Day to surprise you like thieves;
But, brothers, you are not in the darkness for the Day to surprise you like thieves; you are all sons of the Light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.
you are all sons of the Light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. Well then, we must not sleep like the rest of men, but be wakeful and sober;
Well then, we must not sleep like the rest of men, but be wakeful and sober; for sleepers sleep by night and drunkards are drunk by night,
for sleepers sleep by night and drunkards are drunk by night, but we must be sober, we who belong to the day, clad in faith and love as our coat of mail, with the hope of salvation as our helmet ??9 for God destined us not for Wrath but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
but we must be sober, we who belong to the day, clad in faith and love as our coat of mail, with the hope of salvation as our helmet ??9 for God destined us not for Wrath but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died for us that waking in life or sleeping in death we should live together with him.
who died for us that waking in life or sleeping in death we should live together with him. Encourage one another, therefore, and let each edify the other ??as indeed you are doing.
Encourage one another, therefore, and let each edify the other ??as indeed you are doing. Brothers, we beg you to respect those who are working among you, presiding over you in the Lord and maintaining discipline;
Brothers, we beg you to respect those who are working among you, presiding over you in the Lord and maintaining discipline; hold them in special esteem and affection, for the sake of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
hold them in special esteem and affection, for the sake of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
hold them in special esteem and affection, for the sake of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. We beseech you, brothers, keep a check upon loafers, encourage the faint-hearted, sustain weak souls, never lose your temper with anyone;
We beseech you, brothers, keep a check upon loafers, encourage the faint-hearted, sustain weak souls, never lose your temper with anyone; see that none of you pays back evil for evil, but always aim at what is kind to one another and to all the world;
see that none of you pays back evil for evil, but always aim at what is kind to one another and to all the world; rejoice at all times, read more. never give up prayer,
never give up prayer, thank God for everything ??such is his will for you in Christ Jesus; read more. never quench the fire of the Spirit,
never quench the fire of the Spirit, never disdain prophetic revelations
never disdain prophetic revelations but test them all, retaining what is good read more. and abstaining from whatever kind is evil. May the God of peace consecrate you through and through! Spirit, soul, and body, may you be kept without break or blame till the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ!
May the God of peace consecrate you through and through! Spirit, soul, and body, may you be kept without break or blame till the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ!
May the God of peace consecrate you through and through! Spirit, soul, and body, may you be kept without break or blame till the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ! He who calls you is faithful, he will do this.
He who calls you is faithful, he will do this.
I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read aloud to all the [holy] brothers.
We are bound always to thank God for you, brothers ??it is proper that we should, because your faith grows apace and your mutual love, one and all, is increasing.
in flaming fire, to inflict punishment on those who ignore God, even on those who refuse obedience to the gospel of our Lord Jesus,
in flaming fire, to inflict punishment on those who ignore God, even on those who refuse obedience to the gospel of our Lord Jesus, men who will pay the penalty of being destroyed eternally from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, read more. when he comes to be glorified in his saints and marvelled at in all believers on that day (for our testimony has found confirmation in your lives).
With regard to the arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ and our muster before him, I beg you, brothers, not to let your minds get easily unsettled or excited by any spirit of prophecy or any declaration or any letter purporting to come from me, to the effect that the Day of the Lord is already here.
not to let your minds get easily unsettled or excited by any spirit of prophecy or any declaration or any letter purporting to come from me, to the effect that the Day of the Lord is already here.
not to let your minds get easily unsettled or excited by any spirit of prophecy or any declaration or any letter purporting to come from me, to the effect that the Day of the Lord is already here. Let nobody delude you into this belief, whatever he may say. It will not come till the Rebellion takes place first of all, with the revealing of the Lawless One, the doomed One,
Then shall the Lawless One be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his lips and quell by his appearing and arrival ??9 that One whose arrival is due to Satan's activity, with the full power, the miracles and portents, of falsehood,
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed on and triumph, as in your own case, and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men ??for the faith is not held by all.
and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men ??for the faith is not held by all.
and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men ??for the faith is not held by all. However, the Lord is faithful; he will be sure to strengthen you and protect you from the Evil one. read more. Now, we rely on you in the Lord, confident that you do and will do what we enjoin. May the Lord direct your hearts towards God's love and towards Christ's patience! Brothers, we charge you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to shun any brother who is loafing, instead of following the rule you got from us.
Brothers, we charge you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to shun any brother who is loafing, instead of following the rule you got from us.
Brothers, we charge you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to shun any brother who is loafing, instead of following the rule you got from us. For you know quite well how to copy us; we did not loaf in your midst,
For you know quite well how to copy us; we did not loaf in your midst, we did not take free meals from anyone; no, toiling hard at our trade, we worked night and day, so as not to be a burden to any of you.
we did not take free meals from anyone; no, toiling hard at our trade, we worked night and day, so as not to be a burden to any of you. Not that we have no right to such support; it was simply to give you a pattern to copy.
Not that we have no right to such support; it was simply to give you a pattern to copy. We used to charge you even when we were with you, 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat.'
We used to charge you even when we were with you, 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat.' But we are informed that some of your number are loafing, busybodies instead of busy.
But we are informed that some of your number are loafing, busybodies instead of busy. Now in the Lord Jesus Christ we charge and exhort such persons to keep quiet, to do their work and earn their own living.
Now in the Lord Jesus Christ we charge and exhort such persons to keep quiet, to do their work and earn their own living. As for yourselves, brothers, never grow tired of doing what is right.
As for yourselves, brothers, never grow tired of doing what is right. Only, if anyone will not obey our orders in this letter, mark that man, do not associate with him ??that will make him feel ashamed!
Only, if anyone will not obey our orders in this letter, mark that man, do not associate with him ??that will make him feel ashamed!
Only, if anyone will not obey our orders in this letter, mark that man, do not associate with him ??that will make him feel ashamed! You are not to treat him as an enemy, but to put him under discipline, as a brother.
You are not to treat him as an enemy, but to put him under discipline, as a brother. May the Lord of peace himself grant you peace continually, whatever comes. The Lord be with you all. read more. The salutation is in my own hand, Paul's; that is a mark in every letter of mine. This is how I write.