Exhortation to constancy.

4066. A. D. eir. 62.

r

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ" in you, the hope of glory :

Χ

Warnings and cautions. 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of to preach angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

31.

25.

3f In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk hye in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him Godhead bodily.

11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision P made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the cir-b cumcision of Christ:

12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15 And having "spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, umphing over them in it.

mente.

19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

CHAPTER III.

1 He showeth where we should seek Christ. 5 He exhorteth to mortification, 10 to put off the old man, and to put on Christ, 12 exhorting to charity, humility, and other several duties.

IF ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

с

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him :

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, punish circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving m one another, if any man have a "quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one Ep.42,32 body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let no man therefore judge meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

8,13.

General salutations. who is a beloved brother, and a faithful | you, minister and fellow-servant in the Lord: 8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. 10 Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas,

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

c Ma. 13.33.

d 2 Th.3.1.

e Ps 90.12. Ep.5.15, 16.

f Ma.9.50.

h Phil.10.

i Ac.27.2.

J Ac. 15.37. 2 T1.4.11.

k or, striving.

1 Ja.5.16.

if he come unto you, receive him ;)

11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

He.6.1.

n or, Alled. o 2 T4.4.10, IL

p Ro. 16.5. 1 Co. 16.19

r Phil.2.

91 Ti.4.14.

6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how yet 2 Th. 3. 17. ought to answer every man.

7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto

u He.13.3,

25.

18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember "my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

¶ Written from Rome to the Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.

PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto Ac.17.1,

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; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and 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.

9 For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God P from idols to serve the living and true God;

10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

CHAPTER II.

r

3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile :

4 But as we were allowed of God 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; God is witness:

6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have hbeen burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

V

b Ep.3.13. Jn.16.2

1 Co. 4.9. 2 Ti3.12. 1 Pe.2.21.

d ver.1.

3.

1 He exhorteth them to go on forward in all manner of godliness, 6 to live holily and justly, 9 to love one another, 11 and quietly to follow their own businese: 13 and last of all to sorrow moderately for the dead. 15 And unto this last exhortation is annexed a brief description of the resurrection, and second coming of Christ to judgment. beseech you,

FURTHERMORE then we

brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

f Gr.4.11. g Phi.1.8 h 2Co.7.6,7.

1 Ep.6.18,

14.
Phi.4.1.

J 2 Co. 13.9, 11. Col.4.12.

cation:

4 That every one of you should know how to his vessel in sanctification and honour; possess 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles f which know not God:

h

1 1 Jn.4.7.. 12.

8 He therefore that despiseth despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us

WHE

HEREFORE when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

2 And sent a 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: 3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

4 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.

will God bring with him.

15 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.

16 For Pthe 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 in the

r

e Phi. 1.29.

f1Th 214

He. 10.32,

33.

Re.6.10.

h Re. 14.3.

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that yourg 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 dendure:

5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, 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 the Lord Jesus i shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 Inflaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction P from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

r

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.

i 1 Th. 4.16. Jude 14.

the angels of his power.

k He. 10.27. 2 Pe 3.7. 1 or, yielding.

m De.32.41,

43.

n Ps. 79.6. Zep.1.6.

o Ro.29.

P Phi.3.19.

2 Pe 3.7.

q Is.2 19.

Mat 25.31

8 P8.68.35.

tor, couch

safe.

u Col.1.12 Re. 34.

v 1 Pc. 1.7. a Mat.24.4 ..6.

b 1 Ti. 4.1.

e Da.7.25.

d Jn. 17.12. e 18.14.13. Re. 13.6.

for, hold

eth.

t

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 be glorified in you, and ye in him, acmay cording to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

V

TOW 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.

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except b there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Re. 19. 15, 21.

4056.

9 Even him, whose coming is after the work- A. Mir ing of Satan with all power and signs and ly-A. D. cir. ing wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

m

52

k He.3.13.

1 1Co1622. m Eze. 14.9. Ro. 1.24.

n De.3235.

11 And for this cause God shall send them. c.1.3. strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen P you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

14 Whereunto 9 he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

r

P Ep.1.4.
1 Th. 1.4.
1 Pe. 1.2.

q 1 Pe.5.10. r Jn.17.22

8 Jn. 13.1. Re. 1.5.

1 PeL3.

a run.

b absurd.

c 1 Co. 1.9.

d Jn.17.15.

e 2 Co.7.16.

Idleness to be avoided.

5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

7 For yourselves know how ye ought to fol low us: for we behaved not ourselves disor derly 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 charge able to any of you:

9 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 'i if any would not work,

neither should he eat.

gor, patience of Christ.

h 1 Ti.6.5. i 1C0.5.11,

13.

J Ac. 18.3. 20.34.

k 1 Co.9.6.

1 Ge.3. 19.

m1 T5.13

1 Pe. 4.15.

FINALLY, brethren, pray for us, that then Ep.4.28.

the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from b reasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

C

un

o or, faint

not.

p 1 Co.15.58

signify

that man

by an
epistle

d

4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

ver.6.

s Le. 19.17.

t Ro.16.20.

1Co.16.21

v Ro. 16.24.

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

The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.

3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou might-12T22 est charge some that they teach no other doc-or, not aiming at trine, 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless 1 Ro.1.22. genealogies, which minister questions, rather m Ro.7.12. than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

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

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed P God, which was committed to my trust.

r

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

8

w 2 Ti 2.11. Ti.3.8.

Lu. 19.10.