Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible









In all things show yourself a pattern of virtue: in teaching shewing uncorruptness, gravity; let your doctrine be sound and inoffensive, that your opponents may be ashamed, and have nothing that is ill to say of us.



and you imitated us, and were imitators of the Lord, having receiv'd the word, notwithstanding all your afflictions, with that alacrity, which the holy spirit inspires. so that you became examples to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. for the gospel has made so favourable a progress not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every other place, where the reputation of your divine faith has spread, that 'tis needless to mention any thing of it; since they all relate of us,

let the prophets, my brethren, who were commission'd by the Lord, be your examples; suffer persecution with constancy like them. we pronounce those happy, who have so endur'd. you have heard of the constancy of Job, you know with what success he was crown'd by the Lord, who is all mercy and compassion.

but at present have obtain'd it. I exhort you, my dear brethren, as strangers and travellers to avoid all sensual passions, as destructive to your souls. Let your behaviour among the Gentiles be virtuous, that instead of inveighing against you as vicious, they may observe your honest behaviour, and glorify God in the times of distress. be subject therefore, for the Lord's sake to every human establishment: whether it be to the king, read more.
as supreme; or to governors, as being deputed by him to punish those who do ill, and to encourage those who do well. for such is the divine pleasure, that by your good conduct you obviate the cavils of inconsiderate men. You are free, don't let your liberty serve as a pretext for vice: but act as the servants of God. Be respectful to all, love your brethren, fear God, and honour the king. You that are servants, be subject to your masters with all reverence: not only to such as are kind and gentle, but even to the morose. for it is a recommendation to the divine favour, to suffer unjust persecution from a principle of conscience. what glory is there in suffering corporal punishment for real offences? but if you meet with ill usage for doing your duty, and bear it with constancy, this will conciliate the divine favour. and this is the condition of your vocation, since Christ himself has suffer'd for us, leaving an example for your exact imitation, he who never offended, and from whose lips no fallacy was ever utter'd, who, when he was reviled, did not revile again: when he was in his sufferings, he did not threat, but referr'd his cause to the righteous judge. he himself cancel'd our sins by the crucifixion of his body, that we being set free from sin, might live in the service of virtue. it is by his bruises that you were healed: for you were as sheep going astray, but now you are brought back to the pastor and overseer of your souls.

the holy religious women of former times were thus adorned, and were submissive to their husbands. such was Sarah, who show'd her obeysance to Abraham, by stiling him her Lord: and you will be stiled her children, if you imitate her conduct, and are not to be terrified out of your virtue.

servants, be entirely obedient to those, whom the laws have made your masters, and not meerly out of regard to their observation, as designing only to please men, but from a principle of integrity, as fearing God: Verse Conceptsethics, personalMen PleasersLordship, Human And DivinePopularityReverence, And Social BehaviourReverence, And ObedienceServants, BadServants, GoodEmployeesPopularity SoughtSingleness Of HeartBeing Seen By ManSlavesObeying PeopleThe Fear Of The Lord