תמונות בעמוד
PDF
ePub

is now made manifest to his saints, to whom God would make known 27 what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we preach, warning 28 every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: whereunto I also labor, striving 29 according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Paul's anxiety for

the Colossians, lest

they should be deceived, by false teachers. His cautions.

FOR I would that ye knew what great conflict I have 2 for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts 2 might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 3 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 4 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, 5 joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so 6 walk ye in him, ! rooted and built up in him, and established in the 7 faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, 8 after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead 9 bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all princi- 10 pality and power: in whom also ye are circumcised with the circum- 11 cision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, buried with him in baptism; 12 wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your 13 sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the hand- 14 writing of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled 15 principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, 16 or in respect of a holy-day, or of the new-moon, or of the sabbathdays: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 17 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and 18 worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,' and not holding the head, 19 from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Where- 20 fore, if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, Touch 21 not; taste not; handle not!' which all are to perish with the using; 22 after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have 23 indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.

Exhortations.

[ocr errors]

IF ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 2 'For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When 3,4 Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

MORTIFY therefore your members which are upon the earth; forni- 5 *cation, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things' sake the wrath of God 6

1

7

8

9

Put on 12

cometh on the children of disobedience; in the which ye also walked sometime, when ye lived in them: but now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth; lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds, ' and have put on the new man, which is renewed in 10 knowledge after the image of him that created him: where there is 11 neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; (forbearing 13 one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.) And above all 14. these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let 15 the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in 16 you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in 17 the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Duties of various WIVES, Submit yourselves unto your own husbands, 18

stations. as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, 19 and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all 20 things: for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not 21 your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all 22 things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: and whatsoever ye 23 do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men: knowing that of 24 the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong, shall receive for the wrong 25 which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Masters, give 4 unto your servants that which is just and equal: knowing that ye also have a master in heaven.

Different injunc

salutations.

CONTINUE in prayer, and watch in the same with 2 tions, mixed with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would 3 open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery. of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: that I may make it manifest, 4 as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are with- 5 out, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, sea- 6 soned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. ALL my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved 7 brother, and a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord: whom 8 I have sent unto you for the same purpose, (that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts,) with Onesimus, a faithful and 9 beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. Aristarchus, my fellow- 10 prisoner, saluteth you; and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas; (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him;) and Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the cir- 11 cumcision. These only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. Epaphras, who is one of you, 12 a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that 13 are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, 14 and Demas, greet you. Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and 15

Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle 16 is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say 17 to Archippus, 'Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.' The salutation by the hand of me Paul. 18 Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen..

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE

THESSALONIANS.

PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thes- 1 salonians 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.

the manner in

Commendations, for WE give thanks to God always for you all, making 2 which they received mention of you in our prayers; remembering without 3 the gospel. ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 'knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God: 'for our 4,5 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. And ye became followers of us, 6 and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: so that ye were ensamples to all that believe in 7 Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the 8 Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we, need not to speak any thing. For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in 9 we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he 10 raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to

come.

Of Paul's manner

[ocr errors]

3

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto 2 of teaching them. you, that it was not in vain: but even after that we had 2 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 contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile; but as we were allowed of God to be put in 4 trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering 5 words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness; nor 6 of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ: but we were 7 gentle among you. Even as a nurse cherisheth her children, 'so, being 8 affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail : 9 for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, 10 and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: as ye know how we exhorted, and com- 11

forted, and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 'that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his 12 kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, 13 because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. For ye, 14 brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews; who both killed the Lord 15 Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: forbidding us to speak to the 16 Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

He had been prevented from re

turning to them, but sent Timothy.

BUT we, brethren, being taken from you for a short 17 time in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. Where- 18 fore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoic- 19 ing? are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy. 'Wherefore, when we 3

2

4

5

6

could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; and sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlaborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: that no man should be moved by these afflic- 3 tions: : (for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto; '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.) 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 labor be in vain. 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: therefore, 7 brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith; for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. For what 8,9 thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; night and day praying exceed- 10 ingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord 11 Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to in- 12 crease and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end he may stablish your hearts unblamable 13 in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Chastity, industry,

FURTHERMORE then we beseech you, breth- 4 and brotherly love, ren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have enforced. received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more: for ye know what commandments 2 we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even 3 your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every 4 one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor, 'not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which 5 know not God: that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any 6 matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto 7 uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth 8 not man, but God who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit.

But as touching brotherly love, ye need not that I write unto you: 9 for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another: and indeed 10 ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia. But we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; and that ye 11 study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward 12 them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

mourn immoderately

shall all rise.

We should not BUT I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, 13 for the dead: they concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe 14 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 15 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 16 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: then 17 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. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words.

18

The precise day is BUT of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have 5 not revealed. no need that I write unto you; for yourselves know 2 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 3 cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should 4 overtake you as a thief; ye are all the children of light, and the chil- 5 dren of the day we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore 6 let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they 7 that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken, are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the 8 breast-plate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our 9 Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us; that, whether we wake or sleep, 10 we should live together with him. Wherefore, comfort yourselves to- 11 gether, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

and peace.

Of love to ministers; AND we beseech you, brethren, to know them which 12 labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's 13 sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

Various admonitions.

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are 14 unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any 15 man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 'Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every 16 thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit: 'despise not prophesyings. Prove all 19 things; hold fast that which is good: 'abstain from all appearance of 22 evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God 23 your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who 24 also will do it.

' BRETHREN, pray for us.

'Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 25 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy 27 brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

215

28

« הקודםהמשך »