THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS
Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia, in which St.
Paul, having preached the Gospel, converted some Jews and a
great number of the Gentiles: but the unbelieving Jews,
envying his success, raised such a commotion against him
that he, and his companion, Sylvanus were obliged to quit
the city. Afterwards he went to Athens, where he heard that
the converts in Thessalonica were under a severe
persecution, ever since his departure; and lest they should
lose their fortitude, he sent Timothy to strengthen and
comfort them in their sufferings. In the meantime St. Paul
came to Corinth, where he wrote this first Epistle, and
also the second to the Thessalonians, both in the same
year, being the nineteenth after our Lord's Ascension.
These are the first of his Epistles in the order of time.
1 Thessalonians Chapter 1
He gives thanks for the grace bestowed on the
Thessalonians.
1:1. Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy to the church of the
Thessalonians: in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus
Christ.
1:2. Grace be to you and peace. We give thanks to God
always for you all: making a remembrance of you in our
prayers without ceasing,
1:3. Being mindful of the work of your faith and labour and
charity: and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus
Christ before God and our Father.
1:4. Knowing, brethren, beloved of God, your election:
1:5. For our gospel hath not been unto you in word only,
but in power also: and in the Holy Ghost and in much
fulness, as you know what manner of men we have been among
you for your sakes.
1:6. And you became followers of us and of the Lord:
receiving the word in much tribulation, with joy of the
Holy Ghost:
1:7. So that you were made a pattern to all that believe in
Macedonia and in Achaia.
1:8. For from you was spread abroad the word of the Lord
not only in Macedonia and in Achaia but also in every
place: your faith which is towards God, is gone forth, so
that we need not to speak any thing.
1:9. For they themselves relate of us, what manner of
entering in we had unto you: and how you turned to God from
idols to serve the living and true God.
1:10. And to wait for his Son from heaven (whom he raised
up from the dead), Jesus, who hath delivered us from the
wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians Chapter 2
The sincerity of the apostle's preaching the gospel to them
and of their receiving it.
2:1. For yourselves know, brethren, our entrance in unto
you, that it was not in vain:
2:2. But having suffered many things before and been
shamefully treated, (as you know) at Philippi, we had
confidence in our God, to speak unto you the gospel of God
in much carefulness.
2:3. For our exhortation was not of error, nor of
uncleanness, nor in deceit.
2:4. But as we were approved by God that the gospel should
be committed to us: even so we speak, not as pleasing men
but God, who proveth our hearts.
2:5. For neither have we used at any time the speech of
flattery, as you know: nor taken an occasion of
covetousness (God is witness):
2:6. Nor sought we glory of men, neither of you, nor of
others.
2:7. Whereas we might have been burdensome to you, as the
apostles of Christ: but we became little ones in the midst
of you, as if a nurse should cherish her children:
2:8. So desirous of you, we would gladly impart unto you
not only the gospel of God but also our own souls: because
you were become most dear unto us.
2:9. For you remember, brethren, our labour and toil:
working night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any
of you, we preached among you the gospel of God.
2:10. You are witnesses, and God also, how holily and
justly and without blame we have been to you that have
believed:
2:11. As you know in what manner, entreating and comforting
you (as a father doth his children),
2:12. We testified to every one of you that you would walk
worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and
glory.
2:14. For you, brethren, are become followers of the
churches of God which are in Judea, in Christ Jesus: for
you also have suffered the same things from your own
countrymen, even as they have from the Jews:
2:15. Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and the prophets, and
have persecuted us, and please not God, and are adversaries
to all men;
2:16. Prohibiting us to speak to the Gentiles, that they
may be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath
of God is come upon them to the end.
To fill up their sins... That is, to fill up the measure of
their sins, after which God's justice would punish them.
For the wrath of God is come upon them to the end... That
is, to continue on them to the end.
2:17. But we, brethren, being taken away from you for a
short time, in sight, not in heart, have hastened the more
abundantly to see your face with great desire.
2:18. For we would have come unto you, I Paul indeed, once
and again: but Satan hath hindered us.
2:19. For what is our hope or joy or crown of glory? Are
not you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his
coming?
2:20. For you are our glory and joy.
1 Thessalonians Chapter 3
The apostle's concern and love for the Thessalonians.
3:1. For which cause, forbearing no longer, we thought it
good to remain at Athens alone.
3:2. And we sent Timothy, our brother and the minister of
God in the gospel of Christ, to confirm you and exhort you
concerning your faith:
3:3. That no man should be moved in these tribulations: for
yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
3:4. For even when we were with you, we foretold you that
we should suffer tribulations: as also it is come to pass,
and you know.
3:5. For this cause also, I, forbearing no longer, sent to
know your faith: lest perhaps he that tempteth should have
tempted you: and our labour should be made vain.
3:6. But now when Timothy came to us from you and related
to us your faith and charity, and that you have a good
remembrance of us always, desiring to see us as we also to
see you:
3:7. Therefore we were comforted, brethren, in you, in all
our necessity and tribulation, by your faith.
3:8. Because now we live, if you stand in the Lord.
3:9. For what thanks can we return to God for you, in all
the joy wherewith we rejoice for you before our God,
3:10. Night and day more abundantly praying that we may see
your face and may accomplish those things that are wanting
to your faith?
3:11. Now God himself and our Father and our Lord Jesus
Christ, direct our way unto you.
3:12. And may the Lord multiply you and make you abound in
charity towards one another and towards all men: as we do
also towards you,
3:13. To confirm your hearts without blame, in holiness,
before God and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ, with all his saints. Amen.
1 Thessalonians Chapter 4
He exhorts them to purity and mutual charity. He treats of
the resurrection of the dead.
4:1. For the rest therefore, brethren, pray and beseech you
in the Lord Jesus that, as you have received from us, how
you ought to walk and to please God, so also you would
walk, that you may abound the more.
4:2. For you know what precepts I have given to you by the
Lord Jesus.
4:3. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: That
you should abstain from fornication:
4:4. That every one of you should know how to possess his
vessel in sanctification and honour,
4:5. Not in the passion of lust, like the Gentiles that
know not God:
4:6. And that no man overreach nor circumvent his brother
in business: because the Lord is the avenger of all these
things, as we have told you before and have testified.
4:7. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto
sanctification.
4:8. Therefore, he that despiseth these things, despiseth
not man, but God, who also hath given his holy Spirit in
us.
4:9. But as touching the charity of brotherhood, we have no
need to write to you: for yourselves have learned of God to
love one another.
4:10. For indeed you do it towards all the brethren in all
Macedonia. But we entreat you, brethren, that you abound
more:
4:11. And that you use your endeavour to be quiet: and that
you do your own business and work with your own hands, as
we commanded you: and that you walk honestly towards them
that are without: and that you want nothing of any man's.
4:12. And we will not have you ignorant brethren,
concerning them that are asleep, that you be not sorrowful,
even as others who have no hope.
4:13. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again:
even so them who have slept through Jesus, will God bring
with him.
4:14. For this we say unto you in the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive, who remain unto the coming of the
Lord, shall not prevent them who have slept.
4:15. For the Lord himself shall come down from heaven with
commandment and with the voice of an archangel and with the
trumpet of God: and the dead who are in Christ shall rise
first.
4:16. Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken
up together with them in the clouds to meet Christ, into
the air: and so shall we be always with the Lord.
4:17. Wherefore, comfort ye one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians Chapter 5
The day of the Lord shall come when least expected.
Exhortations to several duties.
5:1. But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not,
that we should write to you:
5:2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord
shall so come as a thief in the night.
5:3. For when they shall say: Peace and security; then
shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon
her that is with child, and they shall not escape.
5:4. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day
should overtake you as a thief.
5:5. For all you are the children of light and children of
the day: we are not of the night nor of darkness.
5:6. Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do: but let us
watch, and be sober.
5:7. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that
are drunk, are drunk in the night.
5:8. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, having on
the breast plate of faith and charity and, for a helmet,
the hope of salvation.
5:9. For God hath not appointed us unto wrath: but unto the
purchasing of salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
5:10. Who died for us: that, whether we watch or sleep, we
may live together with him.
5:11. For which cause comfort one another and edify one
another, as you also do.
5:12. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labour
among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you;
5:13. That you esteem them more abundantly in charity, for
their work's sake. Have peace with them.
5:14. And we beseech you, brethren, rebuke the unquiet:
comfort the feeble minded: support the weak: be patient
towards all men.
The unquiet... That is, such as are irregular and
disorderly.
5:15. See that none render evil for evil to any man: but
ever follow that which is good towards each other and
towards all men.
5:16. Always rejoice.
5:17. Pray without ceasing.
5:18. In all things give thanks for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you all.
5:19. Extinguish not the spirit.
5:20. Despise not prophecies.
5:21. But prove all things: hold fast that which is good.
5:22. From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves.
5:23. And may the God of peace himself sanctify you in all
things: that your whole spirit and soul and body may be
preserved blameless in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5:24. He is faithful who hath called you, who also will do
it.
5:25. Brethren, pray for us.
5:26. Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.
5:27. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to
all the holy brethren.
5:28. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
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