Sincerity of the Thessalonians. of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and y Demas, greet you. 15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. I THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL, THE APOSTLE, ΤΟ THE THESSALONIANS. CHAP. I. 1 The Thessalonians are given to understand both how mindful of them Saint Paul was at all times in thanksgiving, and prayer: 5 and also how well he was persuaded of the truth and sincerity of their faith, and conversion to God. PAUL, and a Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3d Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, fand labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. * Col. 2. 2. & 4.2.& 7. 8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also P in every place your faith to Godward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God; 6 And mye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affic-ch. 2. 1,5, n John 5. tion, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 10,11.2Th. 41,44.& 12. 7 So that ye were ensamples to 3.7. 43. 1 Ti. 5. all that believe in Macedonia and m 1 Co. 4. 17. Achaia. 16. & 11.1. o 1 Co. 9.4, Phi. 3. 17. 6, 12, 18. 2 ch. 2. 14. 2 Co.10. 1, 2, Th. 3. 9. 10,11.& 13. 10. 2 Th.3. n Ac. 5,41. He. 10. 34. 9. Philem. 8, 9. know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much conten tion. 3f For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile; 4 But as we were allowed of God h to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; m God is witness: " 6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been P burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishetli her children: o Ro.10.18. Or, used Faul's care for own souls, because ye were dear unto us. la 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for bouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 11 As ye know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 a That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 1. THESSALONIANS. 13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it d not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for fye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews; 15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, kand are contrary to all men : 16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, m to fill up their sins always: n for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. 13 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? 20 For ye are our glory and joy. CHAP. III. 1 Saint Paul testifieth his great love to the Thessalonians, partly by sending Timothy unto them to strengthen and comfort them: partly by rejoicing in their well-doing: 10 and partly by praying for them, and desiring a safe coming unto them. WHEREFORE, a when we could no longer forbear, bwe thought it good to be left at Athens alone; 2 And sent c Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: A. D. 54. A. D. 54. u Ac.20.34. 1 Co. 4. 12 2 Co. 11. 9. 2 Th. 3. 8. 2 Co. 12. 13, 14. y ch. 1. 5. * 2 Co.7.2. 2 Th. 3. 7. a Ep. 4. 1. Phi. 1. 27. Col. 1. 10. ch. 4. 1. 6 1 Co. 1.9. J1 Phi. 1. 8. ch. 5. 24. m 2Co.1.4. 2 Th. 2.14. & 7.6,7,13. 2 Ti. 1. 9. In Phi. 4.1. c ch. 1. 3. | ch. 1. 2. d Mat. 10. p Ac. 26.7. 40. Ga. 4.2 Ti. 1. 3. 14.2Pe.3.2. 9 Ro. 1. 10, e Ga. 1.22.11.& 15.32. fAc.17. 5, r ch. 2. 17. 13. 2 Co. 13. g He. 10.9,11.Col.4. 33, 34. 12. h Ac. 2.23. Or, & 3.15.&5. guide. 30. & 7.52. Ma. 1. 3. i Mat.5.12. u ch. 4. 10. & 23.34,37. r ch. 4. 9. Lu. 13. 33, & 5. 15, 2 34. Ac. 7. Pe. 1. 7. 52. Or, chas-1 Co. 1.8. Phi. 1. 10. ed us out. ch. 5. 23. 2 Es. 3. 8. / Lu.11.52. Ac. 13. 50. & 14, 5, 19. & 17. 5, 13. & 18.12. & 19.9. & 22. 21, 22. m Ge. 15. 16. Mat.23. $2. Th. 2.17.1 Jo.3.20,21. Zec. 14. 5. Jude 14. Or, request. Or, beseech. a Phi.1.27. Col. 2. 6. n Mat. 24. ch. 2. 12. 6, 14. c Col 1.10. o 1 Co. 5.3.d Ro. 12.2. Col. 2. 5. Ep. 5. 17. p ch. 3. 10. e Ep. 5. 27. q Ro. 1.13.1 Co. 6. & 15. 22. 15, 18. Ep. 2Co.1.14. 5. 3. Col.3. 5. Phi. 2. 16. & 4. 1. g Ro. 6.19. 1 Co. 6. 15, 18. h Col. 3. 5. Ro. 1. 24, s Pr.16.31. Il Or, glorying. 1 Co. 15. 26. 23.ch.3.13. Ep. 4. 17, Re. 1. 7. & 18. 22.12. a ver. 5. 1 Co. 15. 34. Ga.4.8. Ep. 2. 12. & b Ac.17.15.4.18. 2 Th. c Ro.16.21. 1. 8. 1 Co.16.10. Le. 19.11, 12 Co. 1, 19.13.1C0.6.8. the Thessalonians. 3 d That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.. 4 f For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. 5 For this cause, & when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. 6 But now, when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: 7 Therefore, brethren, m we were comforted over you in all our affiction and distress by your faith: 8 For now we live, if ye "stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy where with we joy for your sakes before our God; 10 P Night and day 7 praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? 11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. 12 And the Lord "make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: 13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. CHAP. IV. 1 He exhorteth them to go on forward in all manner of godliness, 6 to live ho lily and justly, 9 to love one another, 11 and quietly to follow their own business 13 and last of all to sorrow moderately for the dead. 17 And unto this last exhortation is annexed a brief description of the resurrection, and second coming of Christ to judg of Christ's coming to judgment. I defraud his brother in any | matter: because that the Lord m is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit. But as touching brotherly love 7 ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God sto love one another. 10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; tl And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, a even as others 5 which have no hope. -14 For c if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even d them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that ƒ we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them 4 in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so m shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 n Wherefore, comfort one another with these words. CHAP. V. 1 He proceedeth in the former description of Christ's coming to judgment, 16 and giveth divers precepts, 23 and so concludeth the epistle. UT of a the times and the seaB sons, brethren, bye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. Ep. 6. 18. Col. 4. 2. 1 Pe. 4. 7. d Ep. 5.20. Col. 3. 17. e Ep. 4. 30. 1 Ti. 4. 14. m John 12. 2 Ti. 1. 6. 26. & 14.3. See 1 Co. & 17. 24. 14. 30. a ch.6.11. f1 Co. 14. | Or, 1, 39. exhort. g1Co.2.11, Divers virtuous precepts. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken, are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For a God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 P Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore, comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, y be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever a follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 d In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, m be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 25 Brethren, pray for us. 26 p Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. The first epistle unto the Thessalonians was written from Athens. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then d sudden destruction cometh upon them, e as travail upon a woman with child: and they shall not escape. Mat. 24. 3, 36. Ac. 1. 7. bch. 4. 9. c Mat. 24. 43, 15. 1 Jo.4. 1. h Phi. 4. 8. ich. 4. 12. Phi. 4. 9. Ich. 44. & 25. 13. Lu. 12. 39, 40. 2 Pe. 3. 10. Re. 3. 3. & 13. 13. m 1 Co. 1. 8. n 1 Co. 1. 9. & 10. 13. 2 Th. 3. 3. 16. 15. d Is. 13. 6,-9. Lu. 17. 27, 28, 29. & 21. 34, 35. o Col. 4. 3. 2 Th. 3. 1. p Ro. 16. 16. Or, adjure. q Col. 2 Th. 1. 9. Je. 13. 21. Ho. 13. 13. 14. 16. 2 Th. 3. 14. r Ro. 16. 20, 24. 2 Th. 3. 18. T THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL, THE APOSTLE, ΤΟ THE THESSALONIANS. CHAP. I. 1 Saint Paul certificth them of the good opinion which he had of their faith, love, and patience: 11 and therewithal useth divers reasons for the comforting of them in persecution, whereof the chiefest is taken from the righteous judgment of God. PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians bin God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 c Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 d We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 4 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: 5 Which is ha manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, i for which ye also suffer: 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you, who are troubled, rest with us, when m the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and Pthat obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. 11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 12 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 the Lord Jesus Christ. CHAP. II. 1 He willeth them to continue steadfast in the truth received, 3 sheweth that there shall be a departure from the faith, 9 and a discovery of antichrist, c 1 Co. 1.3. d 1 Th.1.2, 3.& 3. 6, 9. ch. 2. 13. 16. b Mat. 24. 31. Ma. 13. Mat. 24. 4. Ep. 5. 6. 1 Jo. 2. 18. g John 17. h Is.14.13. @ 2Co.7.14. &9.2.1Th. 2. 19, 20. f1Th.1.3. & 11. 36. g 1 Th. 2. 14. Re. 13. 6. il Co. 8.5. we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3d Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, & the son of perdition; 4 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. 5 Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what I withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consumem with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy awith the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and P signs, and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in 7 them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 1 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, Sthat they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighte ousness. 13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath y from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to a the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 He craveth their prayers for himself, 3 testifieth what confidence he hath in them, 5 maketh request to God in their behalf, 6 giveth them divers precepts, Especially to shun idleness, and ill company, 16 and last of all concludeth with prayer and salutation. FINALLY, brethren, pray for CHAP. I. A. D. 54. A. D. 54. b1 Co. 16. m 1 Co. 4. © 1 Co. 11. 1Th.1.0,7. Re. 1. 5. 1 Th. 3.13. 10. Ac. 18.3, p 1 Co.9.6. ver. 7. a Ep. 6 19. Col. 4. 3 1 Th. 5. 25. s ver. 6. + Gr. t1Th.4.11. The idle and disorderly censured. 7 For yourselves know m how ye cught to follow us: for n we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8 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: 9 p Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are somes which walk among you Ro. 15.31. 1 Ti. 5. 13. disorderly, working not at all, but are busy-bodies. + Gr. 1 Pe. 4. 15. u 1 Th. 4. us, that the word of the Lorde Ac.28.24. 11. + may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you; 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked inen: for all men have not faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who shal! stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 14 And it any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 a Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all meaus. The Lord be with you all. 17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Thessalonians, was written from Athens. ¶ THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL, THE APOSTLE, 1 Timothy is put in mind of the charge which was given unto him by Paul at his going to Macedonia. 5 of the right use and end of the law. 11 of Saint Paul's calling to be an apostle, 20 and of Hymeneus and Alexander. PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment b of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2 Unto d Timothy, my own son in the faith; Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. A. D. 65. A. D. 65. est charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith so do. 5 Now the end of the command. ment is charity mout of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved, have turned aside unto a vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what 3 As I besought thee to abide they say, nor whereof they affirm. still at Ephesus, when I went 8 But we know that P the law is into Macedonia, that thou might-3.Phi.2.21.1p Ro. 7.12. good, if a man use it lawfully; g Ac. 20.1, o ch. 6. 4. |