Because it is God's purpose that our way of life may be not unclean but holy.

So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

But about loving the brothers, there is no need for me to say anything to you in this letter: for you have the teaching of God that love for one another is right and necessary;

In fact, you are doing this toward all the brothers in the entire region of Macedonia. But we encourage you, brothers, to do so even more,

so that you will behave properly toward outsiders [exhibiting good character, personal integrity, and moral courage worthy of the respect of the outside world], and be dependent on no one and in need of nothing [be self-supporting].

Now we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you will not grieve as also the rest, who have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

for the Lord himself, with an assembling shout, with archangel's voice and with trump of God, shall descend from heaven; and the dead in Christ shall rise first;

Then we which are alive and 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 encourage one another with these words.)

But about the times and their order, my brothers, there is no need for me to say anything to you.

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

But you, brothers, are not in the darkness, so that the day should catch you like a thief,

so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober.

For those who are sleeping do so in the night; and those who are the worse for drink are so in the night;

But since we belong to the day, let's be sober. We must put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

For God's purpose for us is not wrath, but salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

who died [willingly] for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) [at Christ’s appearing], we will live together with Him [sharing eternal life].

So then, go on comforting and building up one another, as you have been doing.

But we urge you, brothers, to know [i.e., appreciate and respect] those who work hard among you, and who lead you and warn you in [the fellowship of] the Lord. [Note: These men were probably the elders. See Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:17].

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

And we urge you, brothers, to warn those who are idle [Note: The word "idle" originally meant, "insubordinate, or unruly." See II Thess. 3:6-7, 11], encourage those who are timid, help the [spiritually] weak and be patient with everyone.

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Give thanks in everything,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not put out the Spirit's fire.

But, the God of peace himself, hallow you completely, and, entire, might your spirit, and soul, and body, - so as to be unblameable in the Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, - be preserved!

I solemnly charge you in the Lord's name to have this Letter read to all the brethren.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith flourishes more and more and the love of each one of you all for one another is ever greater.

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

a proof of the righteous judgment of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, on behalf of which also you are suffering,

if so be that it is righteous thing with God to recompense affliction to them that afflict you,

and to give relief to you who are so distressed and to us as well when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in a flame of fire,

These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from His glorious strength

On that day Jesus will return to be honored by His saints [i.e., God's holy people] and to be marveled at [i.e., in reverence] by all those who had believed [in Him]. [This will happen] because you have believed our testimony to you [about Christ].

This is why we always pray for you also, so that our God will consider you worthy to be [i.e., to have been] called [into the kingdom] by Him, and will fulfill, by His power, every good purpose [or, "desire for goodness"] of yours and every act produced by [your] faith.

so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you and ye in him, according to the grace of our God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

not to be so quickly upset or alarmed when someone claims that we said, either by some spirit, conversation, or letter that the Day of the Lord has already come.

Do not allow anyone to deceive you in any way, for it will not occur until the rebellion comes first and the man of lawlessness becomes evident. [Note: This "rebellion" refers to a significant falling away from the teaching and practice of true Christianity (See I Tim. 4:1), characterized by the rise of an authoritarian religious leader]. This man is doomed to be destroyed

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

And you know what restrains him now [from being revealed]; it is so that he will be revealed at his own [appointed] time.

For the mystery of lawlessness is at work already; only the one who now restrains [will do so] until he is out of the way,

And then the lawless person [See verse 3] will be revealed, the one whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the brilliant appearance of His presence [i.e., at His second coming].

The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with all kinds of false miracles, signs, and wonders,

and with every unrighteous deception against those who are perishing, in place of which they did not accept the love of the truth, so that they would be saved.

And because of this, God sends them {a powerful delusion} so that they will believe the lie,

so that all will be condemned—those who did not believe the truth but enjoyed unrighteousness.

And from us thanks are always due to God on your behalf--brethren whom the Lord loves--because God from the beginning has chosen you for salvation through the Spirit's sanctifying influence and your belief in the truth.

It was to this end that He called you through our gospel [the good news of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection], so that you may obtain and share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye were taught, whether by word, or by epistle of ours.

encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good thing you do or say.

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you,

We have confidence in you through the Lord that you are now practicing the directions which we give you and that you will continue to do so.

May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.

Now we command you, brothers, in the name [i.e., by the authority] of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you people stay away from every brother [or sister] who lives an idle life [See note on I Thess. 5:14], and not according to the [inspired] tradition which you received from us.

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

not that we do not have the right, but so that we may give ourselves [as] an example to you, so that [you] may imitate us.

Indeed, we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined and inappropriate life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies [meddling in other people’s business].

Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat.

Now if anyone [in the church] does not obey what we say in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be ashamed and repent.

The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.

[This letter is from] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope [of never ending life. See Titus 3:7].

Just as I urged you [when I] traveled to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus, so that you may instruct certain people not to teach other doctrine,

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

so do, and acquaint them that the end of that charge is charity, out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned:

Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

and whoremongers; to them that defile themselves with mankind; to menstealers; to liars and to perjured, and so forth if there be any other thing that is contrary to wholesome doctrine

me, I say, who before was a reviler and a persecutor and an overbearing man. But I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief:

and our Lord's grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus.

But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

Now to the King of the ages [eternal], immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, so that [inspired and aided] by them you may fight the good fight [in contending with false teachers],

To do this you must hold firmly to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck in regard to the faith.

Hymenaeus and Alexander are among them, and I have delivered them to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

who gave himself as a ransom for all, revealing God's purpose at his appointed time.

in regard to which I was set a preacher and apostle -- truth I say in Christ, I do not lie -- a teacher of nations, in faith and truth.

So then I would have the men everywhere pray, lifting to God holy hands which are unstained with anger or strife;

I do not consent to a woman's becoming a teacher, or exercising authority over a man; she ought to be silent.

For Adam was created first, and then Eve was. [See Gen. 1:27; 2:21-22].

and Adam was not deceived, but his wife was thoroughly deceived, and so became involved in transgression.

But she [i.e., womankind] will be saved [from condemnation, in spite of the "curse" of suffering pain] through childbearing [See Gen. 3:16], provided they [i.e., all women] continue to have faith and love and holiness, along with discretion.

So the pastor must be a man above reproach, must have only one wife, must be temperate, sensible, well-behaved, hospitable, skillful in teaching;

(If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?)

He must not be a recent convert, so that he won't become arrogant and fall into the Devil's condemnation.

And he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside the church, so that he will not be discredited and fall into the devil’s trap.

Deacons likewise must be men worthy of respect [honorable, financially ethical, of good character], not double-tongued [speakers of half-truths], not addicted to wine, not greedy for dishonest gain,

And let these also be first proved, and if found blameless, then let them enter on the deacon's office.

Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

For those who have filled the deacon's office wisely and well, are already gaining for themselves an honourable standing, and are acquiring great freedom of speech in proclaiming the faith which rests on Christ Jesus.

I hope to come to you before long, but I am writing these instructions to you

but if I delay, in order that thou mayest know how one ought to conduct oneself in God's house, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth.

And without argument, great is the secret of religion: He who was seen in the flesh, who was given God's approval in the spirit, was seen by the angels, of whom the good news was given among the nations, in whom the world had faith, who was taken up in glory.

who will make use of the hypocrisy of lying teachers. These men's consciences are seared,

For everything in God's creation is good, and nothing is to be refused, provided it is accepted with thanksgiving;

for it is sanctified by God's word and freely addressing him.

If you warn the brethren of these dangers you will be a good and faithful servant of Christ Jesus, inwardly feeding on the lessons of the faith and of the sound teaching of which you have been, and are, so close a follower.