\id 1TH - The English New Testament According to Family 35 
\h 1 Thessalonians 
\toc3 1 Th. 
\toc2 1 Thessalonians 
\toc1 The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians 
\mt1 The First Epistle of Paul to the  
\mt1 THESSALONIANS  
\c 1  
\ms1 Opening Considerations  
\s1 Greeting  
\m
\v 1 \w Paul|strong="G3972"\w*, \w Silvanus|strong="G4610"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Timothy|strong="G5095"\w*,\f + \fr 1:1 \ft Paul gives recognition to the junior members of the team.\f* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w congregation|strong="G1577"\w*\f + \fr 1:1 \ft The first image that the term ‘church’ evokes in the minds of many is that of a building; what is in view here is a group of people, and a very particular group of people.\f* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w Thessalonians|strong="G2331"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* Sovereign \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*: \w Grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w from|strong="G1515"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* Sovereign \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.\f + \fr 1:1 \ft To the ‘western’ mind the repetition of the full form, “God our Father and Sovereign Jesus Christ,” may seem unnecessary, if not stylistically poor, but this letter was written by a Hebrew. By switching from ‘the’ to ‘our’ Father he claims a personal relationship. Some 7.5% of the Greek manuscripts omit “from God our Father and Sovereign Jesus Christ” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f*   
\s1 The Thessalonians are praised  
\p
\v 2 \w We|strong="G2249"\w* \w always|strong="G3842"\w* \w give|strong="G2168"\w* \w thanks|strong="G2168"\w* \w to|strong="G1909"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w for|strong="G4012"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w making|strong="G4160"\w* \w mention|strong="G3417"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w prayers|strong="G4335"\w*,  
\v 3 continually \w remembering|strong="G3421"\w* \w before|strong="G1715"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w your|strong="G2962"\w* \w work|strong="G2041"\w* \w for|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2962"\w* \w labor|strong="G2873"\w* \w coming|strong="G2316"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* Love \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2962"\w* \w perseverance|strong="G5281"\w* based \w on|strong="G2962"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Hope|strong="G1680"\w*, \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* source,\f + \fr 1:3 \ft We are used to the rendering: ‘work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ’. However, “faith”, “love”, “hope” and “Lord” all have the definite article and are in the genitive/ablative case. If we translate the definite articles it changes the ‘flavor’; we are looking at a particular faith, a particular love, a particular hope, and the three qualities either belong to the Lord or proceed from Him. The genitive/ablative case in Greek is quite ‘versatile’, and so just to render ‘of’ all the time is so ambiguous as to leave the precise intent undefined. (However, I can't guarantee that my attempt to ‘disambiguate’ is correct.)\f*  
\v 4 \w knowing|strong="G1492"\w* \w as|strong="G2316"\w* \w we|strong="G1492"\w* \w do|strong="G1492"\w*, brothers loved \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w chosen|strong="G1589"\w*.\f + \fr 1:4 \ft They are loved and chosen by God, marvelous privilege—verse 3 describes their appropriate response, which I suppose is how Paul ‘knew’ that they were chosen.\f*   
\s2 They became examples  
\p
\v 5 \w You|strong="G5210"\w* \w see|strong="G1492"\w*, \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w did|strong="G1492"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w come|strong="G1096"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w power|strong="G1411"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*\f + \fr 1:5 \ft In verses 1 and 2 it is clear that the Father and the Son are distinct persons; here Paul adds the Holy Spirit.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* complete certainty\f + \fr 1:5 \ft Powerful manifestations of the Holy Spirit do have a way of adding certainty to the spoken word; they also help to face affliction with joy (next verse).\f* (\w of|strong="G3056"\w* course \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* sort \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w men|strong="G3634"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w proved|strong="G1096"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w sake|strong="G1223"\w*).\f + \fr 1:5 \ft Why “for your sake”? They were giving an example to be followed.\f*  
\v 6 Yes \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w became|strong="G1096"\w* \w imitators|strong="G3402"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*,\f + \fr 1:6 \ft To imitate the messengers was to imitate the Lord; their walk with God presumably had something to do with the powerful manifestations.\f* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w received|strong="G1209"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Word|strong="G3056"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*'\w s|strong="G2962"\w* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w*,\f + \fr 1:6 \ft “The Holy Spirit's joy” in the soul is an unanswerable proof of the reality of true conversion; it also enables you to face “severe affliction” with equanimity.\f* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* spite \w of|strong="G3056"\w* severe \w affliction|strong="G2347"\w*,  
\v 7 \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w became|strong="G1096"\w* \w examples|strong="G5179"\w*\f + \fr 1:7 \ft They bought into the messengers' life style of total commitment to Christ and His Kingdom.\f* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w believers|strong="G4100"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Macedonia|strong="G3109"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* Achaia.  
\v 8 \w That|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w sounded|strong="G1837"\w* \w out|strong="G1831"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Macedonia|strong="G3109"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* Achaia \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w place|strong="G5117"\w*\f + \fr 1:8 \ft For something to resound far and wide requires a sufficient cause. Their response to the Gospel was sufficiently vigorous that it caused widespread comment, comment about their transformed lives and the Message that could produce such transformation.\f*—\w your|strong="G2962"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w toward|strong="G4314"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w gone|strong="G1831"\w* \w forth|strong="G1831"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w need|strong="G5532"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w say|strong="G2980"\w* \w anything|strong="G5100"\w*.   
\s2 Their hope  
\p
\v 9 \w They|strong="G2532"\w* themselves report \w about|strong="G4012"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*\f + \fr 1:9 \ft Instead of “you”, perhaps 60% of the Greek manuscripts have ‘us’, as in most versions. I follow the best line of transmission.\f* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w kind|strong="G3697"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w entrance|strong="G1529"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w had|strong="G2192"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*,\f + \fr 1:9 \ft Paul did not have to ‘toot his own horn’.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w how|strong="G4459"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w turned|strong="G1994"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w idols|strong="G1497"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w slaves|strong="G1398"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w true|strong="G3588"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*,  
\v 10 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* wait \w for|strong="G2532"\w* \w His|strong="G2532"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \it coming\it* \w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w heavens|strong="G3772"\w*\f + \fr 1:10 \ft Verses 9-10 give a good picture of true conversion. It involves turning your back on all the ‘idols’ that governed your life to trust in the true God; but the only acceptable way to truly relate to the Sovereign of the universe is as a slave = total commitment; this gives a valid hope for a bright future.\f* (\w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w raised|strong="G1453"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w among|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*)\f + \fr 1:10 \ft Resurrection has to do with bodies (it is the body that is resurrected, to be reunited with the spirit), so the Son will return with a visible body. As the angels said, He will return ‘in like manner’ (Acts 1:11).\f*—\w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* preserves \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w coming|strong="G2064"\w* \w wrath|strong="G3709"\w*.\f + \fr 1:10 \ft Which expression of the Wrath is this? Jesus delivers us from the ultimate wrath, the Lake of fire, but based on 4:13-18 below I imagine that this refers to a pre-wrath Rapture.\f*   
\c 2  
\ms1 Paul's ministry in Thessalonica  
\m
\v 1 \w Now|strong="G1096"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G4771"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w*, brothers, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w our|strong="G1096"\w* \w entrance|strong="G1529"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w did|strong="G1492"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w happen|strong="G1096"\w* \w without|strong="G3756"\w* purpose.  
\v 2 Rather, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* spite \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w already|strong="G4310"\w* \w suffered|strong="G4310"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* insulted \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Philippi|strong="G5375"\w*, \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w made|strong="G2316"\w* \w bold|strong="G3955"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w speak|strong="G2980"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* face \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w strong|strong="G2532"\w* opposition.\f + \fr 2:2 \ft They deliberately chose to pay a personal price to reach the Thessalonians. Are we prepared to do the same for the increase of Christ's Kingdom today?\f*  
\v 3 Further, \w our|strong="G1722"\w* \w exhortation|strong="G3874"\w* \w does|strong="G3761"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* spring \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w delusion|strong="G4106"\w* \w or|strong="G3761"\w* impurity, \w nor|strong="G3761"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w deception|strong="G4106"\w*,  
\v 4 \w but|strong="G2316"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w speak|strong="G2980"\w* precisely \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w been|strong="G3756"\w* \w approved|strong="G1381"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G3756"\w* \w entrusted|strong="G4100"\w* \w with|strong="G2980"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w*,\f + \fr 2:4 \ft They knew who they were and what they were about. They deny any form of delusion or hidden agenda—they were honest and aware. To be entrusted with the Gospel is a serious privilege.\f* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* please \w men|strong="G3588"\w*, \w but|strong="G2316"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* please \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* evaluates \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w*.\f + \fr 2:4 \ft There it is: if you want to be a serious servant of God, His approval must be more important to you than that of the people around you.\f*  
\v 5 Further, \w you|strong="G1722"\w* \w well|strong="G1063"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G1096"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w never|strong="G3777"\w* \w used|strong="G4218"\w* \w words|strong="G3056"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* flatter, \w or|strong="G3777"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* disguise \w greed|strong="G4124"\w* (\w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G2316"\w* \w witness|strong="G3144"\w*),  
\v 6 \w or|strong="G3777"\w* \w to|strong="G1410"\w* \w seek|strong="G2212"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w men|strong="G1722"\w* (whether \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w or|strong="G3777"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* others)\f + \fr 2:6 \ft Wow! If all Christian workers could say the same—no impurity, no deception, no flattery, no greed, no seeking glory—the church and the world would be different than they presently are.\f*—\w as|strong="G5613"\w* apostles \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*\f + \fr 2:6 \ft By his use of the plural, Paul is saying that Silvanus and Timothy were also apostles, presumably.\f* \w we|strong="G5613"\w* \w could|strong="G1410"\w* \w have|strong="G1510"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* ‘heavy’,  
\v 7 \w but|strong="G1437"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w gentle|strong="G2261"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w like|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w nurse|strong="G5162"\w*\f + \fr 2:7 \ft The basic meaning of the noun is ‘nurse’, but the reference to ‘her own children’ has led some to translate it as ‘mother’. I take the point to be that whereas a professional nurse is supposed to take good care of anyone in her charge, she will be especially careful with her own children.\f* cherishing \w her|strong="G1437"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w*.   
\s1 Paul's devotion to them  
\p
\v 8 Yearning \w over|strong="G1096"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w way|strong="G3779"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w well|strong="G2532"\w* \w pleased|strong="G2106"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w share|strong="G3330"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* \w selves|strong="G1438"\w*, \w because|strong="G1360"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* dear \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*.  
\v 9 \w Surely|strong="G3361"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w remember|strong="G3421"\w*, brothers, \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w toil|strong="G2873"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* exertion, \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w working|strong="G2038"\w* \w night|strong="G3571"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w burden|strong="G1912"\w* \w any|strong="G5100"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*,\f + \fr 2:9 \ft It is clear that they supported themselves financially by working (making tents, or whatever). Between working, evangelizing and discipling (teaching), their sleeping time was probably short. So when could they be alone with God? In prison Paul had lots of time for contemplation (and writing letters), but not in Thessalonica. God places us in different situations at different times, and those situations place different demands upon us.\f* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w proclaimed|strong="G2784"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.   
\p
\v 10 \w You|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w witnesses|strong="G3144"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w how|strong="G5613"\w* \w devoutly|strong="G3743"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w justly|strong="G1346"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* blamelessly \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w behaved|strong="G1096"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1096"\w* \w among|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w*;  
\v 11 \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w*, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w how|strong="G5613"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* treated \w each|strong="G1538"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w father|strong="G3962"\w* \w does|strong="G1492"\w* \w his|strong="G1438"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w*, \w exhorting|strong="G3870"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* comforting \w you|strong="G5210"\w*,  
\v 12 insisting \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w conduct|strong="G4043"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w manner|strong="G2316"\w* worthy \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w calls|strong="G2564"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w His|strong="G1438"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* kingdom \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w*.\f + \fr 2:12 \ft They really involved themselves in the lives of their converts, a deliberate (and costly) investment, that produced remarkable results. God is calling us into His Kingdom \+nd and\+nd* glory.\f*   
\s1 Their conversion  
\p
\v 13 \w Another|strong="G3739"\w* \w reason|strong="G1223"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w give|strong="G2168"\w* \w thanks|strong="G2168"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w continually|strong="G1223"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w received|strong="G1209"\w* \w from|strong="G3844"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* spoken \w Word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w welcomed|strong="G1209"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w men|strong="G3778"\w* \w but|strong="G2532"\w*, \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w actually|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w*, \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* operative \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w*.\f + \fr 2:13 \ft Whether written or spoken, any word from God is powerful, and changes lives.\f*  
\v 14 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, brothers, \w became|strong="G1096"\w* \w imitators|strong="G3402"\w* \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s congregations \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*, \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w ones|strong="G3748"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Judea|strong="G2453"\w*,\f + \fr 2:14 \ft Israel was God's congregation, but not in Christ Jesus.\f* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w suffered|strong="G3958"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w same|strong="G2532"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w own|strong="G2398"\w* \w countrymen|strong="G4853"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Jews|strong="G2453"\w*  
\v 15 (\w the|strong="G2532"\w* ones \w who|strong="G3588"\w* killed \w both|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* own \w prophets|strong="G4396"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w persecuted|strong="G1559"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* please \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w hostile|strong="G1727"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* everybody,\f + \fr 2:15 \ft I take it that by “the Jews” Paul is referring to the leaders (John used the phrase in the same way).\f*  
\v 16 trying \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w prevent|strong="G2967"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w speaking|strong="G2980"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w be|strong="G1519"\w* \w saved|strong="G4982"\w*—\w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w fill|strong="G1519"\w* \w up|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* measure \w of|strong="G1909"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* sins. \w They|strong="G1161"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* received \w the|strong="G1519"\w* full impact \w of|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w Wrath|strong="G3709"\w*).\f + \fr 2:16 \ft I did the best I could with this last sentence, but the concept seems difficult. The verb is in the past and it is \+nd the\+nd* wrath (not just any old wrath). I get the impression that ‘the Jews’ described here had passed the point of no return (like Pharaoh and the plagues—at first he hardened his own heart, but after a while God hardened it and his doom was sealed) and were just making their accounting worse and worse, ‘filling up the measure’—from God's perspective the “full impact” had already been decreed. When someone passes the point of no return, Satan takes over, and they just get worse and worse. (If you think about it, you can probably come up with some examples.) 
\fp Ephesians 4:19 speaks of persons who ‘have abandoned themselves to depravity, greedily indulging in every kind of vileness’. And how should society defend itself against those who have ‘abandoned themselves to depravity’? The consequences of depravity always spill over into the surrounding society, and according to Psalm 5:5-6 the \ft \+sc Lord\+sc* hates such people, and so presumably will not ‘draw’ them (John 6:44). 1 John 5:16-17 teaches that certain sinners are beyond the reach of prayer, they have passed the point of no return. If someone cannot be saved, then he needs to be neutralized (because of the harm he causes to others)—we need to ask God to teach us how to do this.\f*   
\ms1 Paul's concern for the Thessalonians  
\s1 A sense of bereavement  
\p
\v 17 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w*, brothers, having \w been|strong="G3756"\w* bereaved \w of|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w for|strong="G4314"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* \w short|strong="G5610"\w* \w season|strong="G2540"\w* (\w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w presence|strong="G4383"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w*), \w made|strong="G3756"\w* \w every|strong="G1722"\w* \w effort|strong="G4704"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w see|strong="G3708"\w* \w your|strong="G3708"\w* \w face|strong="G4383"\w*, \w from|strong="G3588"\w* intense longing.\f + \fr 2:17 \ft I find the degree of emotional attachment described here to be surprising—perhaps a natural consequence of having poured himself into them as he did.\f*  
\v 18 (\w We|strong="G2249"\w* \w actually|strong="G2532"\w* tried \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*—\w I|strong="G1473"\w*, \w Paul|strong="G3972"\w*, time \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w again|strong="G2532"\w*—\w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w Satan|strong="G4567"\w* \w thwarted|strong="G1465"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*.)\f + \fr 2:18 \ft I, for one, would like to know just how the enemy managed it.\f*  
\v 19 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w our|strong="G2424"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w crown|strong="G4735"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w glorying|strong="G2746"\w*? \w Is|strong="G3588"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3780"\w* precisely \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w presence|strong="G3952"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2424"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*\f + \fr 2:19 \ft The Greek manuscripts are evenly divided between “Jesus” and ‘Jesus Christ’. I follow the best line of transmission.\f* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w coming|strong="G3952"\w*?\f + \fr 2:19 \ft The Thessalonian believers represented ‘the fruit of their labor’, evidence that they had been faithful servants, to be presented to the Lord at the Accounting.\f*  
\v 20 \w Indeed|strong="G2532"\w*, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w*.   
\c 3  
\s1 Concern leads to action  
\m
\v 1 \w So|strong="G1352"\w* \w when|strong="G1722"\w* \w we|strong="G1352"\w* \w could|strong="G4722"\w* \w not|strong="G3371"\w* stand \w it|strong="G2106"\w* \w any|strong="G1722"\w* \w longer|strong="G3371"\w*, \w we|strong="G1352"\w* \w thought|strong="G2106"\w* \w it|strong="G2106"\w* \w good|strong="G2106"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w be|strong="G3371"\w* \w left|strong="G2641"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* Athens \w alone|strong="G3441"\w*  
\v 2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w sent|strong="G3992"\w* \w Timothy|strong="G5095"\w*, \w our|strong="G2316"\w* brother \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w minister|strong="G1249"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w fellow|strong="G4904"\w* \w worker|strong="G4904"\w*\f + \fr 3:2 \ft Instead of “minister of God, also our fellow worker”, just two Greek manuscripts, of objectively inferior quality, have ‘fellow worker of God’, to be followed by NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.\f* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w confirm|strong="G4741"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w encourage|strong="G3870"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w concerning|strong="G1519"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*,  
\v 3 \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w no|strong="G3367"\w* \w one|strong="G3367"\w* \w be|strong="G1519"\w* unsettled \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w afflictions|strong="G2347"\w*; \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G1722"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w appointed|strong="G2749"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w*.\f + \fr 3:3 \ft We are appointed to affliction in this life. How many sermons have you heard on this topic? If the Son learned obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8), how about us? “Whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives” (Hebrews 12:6). Have you ever been scourged, literally? I have—I didn't enjoy it.\f*  
\v 4 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w*, \w when|strong="G3753"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w with|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w kept|strong="G2532"\w* \w telling|strong="G4302"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w advance|strong="G4302"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w going|strong="G3195"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w afflicted|strong="G2346"\w*;\f + \fr 3:4 \ft It was all a calculated risk. The messengers had their eyes open and wanted to make sure their hearers went into their new life with \+nd their\+nd* eyes open—there were no misleading promises of peace and prosperity!\f* \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w happened|strong="G1096"\w*, \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w fact|strong="G3754"\w*, \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w*.  
\v 5 Yes, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w why|strong="G1223"\w*, \w no|strong="G3361"\w* \w longer|strong="G3371"\w* standing \w it|strong="G2532"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w sent|strong="G3992"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w find|strong="G1097"\w* \w out|strong="G2532"\w* \w about|strong="G1519"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*, \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w fear|strong="G3381"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* somehow \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w tempter|strong="G3985"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \it successfully\it* \w tempted|strong="G3985"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*\f + \fr 3:5 \ft Paul was well aware that Satan would not leave them alone.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w labor|strong="G2873"\w* \w come|strong="G1096"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w nothing|strong="G3361"\w*.   
\p
\v 6 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w Timothy|strong="G5095"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w us|strong="G2097"\w* \w from|strong="G2064"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w brought|strong="G2064"\w* \w us|strong="G2097"\w* glad \w news|strong="G2097"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2192"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* love, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w good|strong="G2097"\w* memories \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G2097"\w* \w always|strong="G3842"\w*, \w longing|strong="G1971"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w see|strong="G3708"\w* \w us|strong="G2097"\w*, \w just|strong="G2509"\w* \w as|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w long|strong="G1971"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w see|strong="G3708"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*  
\v 7 —\w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w*, brothers, \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w affliction|strong="G2347"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w distress|strong="G2347"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w encouraged|strong="G3870"\w* \w about|strong="G1909"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*;  
\v 8 \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w now|strong="G3568"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w*, \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G3748"\w* \w standing|strong="G4739"\w* \w firm|strong="G4739"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*.\f + \fr 3:8 \ft Again, I find the level of Paul's involvement with them to be surprising. (It would be physically and emotionally impossible to be this involved with every church he started.) But as a responsible father, he is properly concerned for their growth and well being (verse 10).\f*   
\s1 Paul's desire to go to them  
\p
\v 9 \w With|strong="G1223"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w thankfulness|strong="G2169"\w* \w can|strong="G1410"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* repay \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w* \w with|strong="G1223"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w rejoicing|strong="G5463"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w presence|strong="G1715"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*;\f + \fr 3:9 \ft To see our spiritual children growing in their walk with God is a source of considerable joy.\f*  
\v 10 \w praying|strong="G1189"\w* most \w earnestly|strong="G2532"\w* \w night|strong="G3571"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w*, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w see|strong="G3708"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w face|strong="G4383"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w complete|strong="G2675"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w lacking|strong="G5303"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*?   
\p
\v 11 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* Himself \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G2962"\w*\f + \fr 3:11 \ft Perhaps 4% of the Greek manuscripts omit “Christ” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w direct|strong="G2720"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w way|strong="G3598"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.  
\v 12 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w cause|strong="G4052"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w increase|strong="G4121"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w abound|strong="G4052"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* love \w toward|strong="G1519"\w* \w each|strong="G1519"\w* \w other|strong="G1161"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w toward|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*, \w just|strong="G2509"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w toward|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*,  
\v 13 \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w establish|strong="G4741"\w* \w your|strong="G2962"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w* blameless \w in|strong="G1722"\w* holiness \w before|strong="G1715"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w coming|strong="G3952"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G2962"\w*\f + \fr 3:13 \ft Perhaps 20% of the Greek manuscripts omit “Christ” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w His|strong="G3956"\w* holy ones.\f + \fr 3:13 \ft Another reference to the Accounting: a heart “blameless in holiness” is the ticket. But just what is the picture here; is the Son presenting us to the Father? Might Hebrews 2:13b (Isaiah 8:18) be a reference to this? In that event, “all His holy ones” are being presented to the Father.\f*   
\c 4  
\ms1 Holiness pleases God  
\m
\v 1 \w Finally|strong="G3063"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, brothers, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w urge|strong="G3870"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w exhort|strong="G3870"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*: \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w received|strong="G3880"\w* \w from|strong="G3844"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w how|strong="G4459"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w ought|strong="G1163"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w behave|strong="G4043"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w please|strong="G2065"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*,\f + \fr 4:1 \ft Perhaps 10% of the Greek manuscripts add ‘as indeed you are behaving’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w*  
\v 2 —\w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* instructions \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w gave|strong="G1325"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* Sovereign \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*.\f + \fr 4:2 \ft Paul keeps insisting that he is God's spokesman, and as such should be obeyed (see also verse 8 below).\f*   
\s1 Sanctified sex  
\p
\v 3 \w Now|strong="G1510"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w your|strong="G3588"\w* sanctification: \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* stay away \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w fornication|strong="G4202"\w*;\f + \fr 4:3 \ft “Fornication” refers to any sexual activity outside the marriage bond (distinct from adultery): it includes prostitution, rape, anal sex, sex with an animal; in short, sex without commitment and responsibility (sex that disregards the Creator's intention).\f*  
\v 4 \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w each|strong="G1538"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w how|strong="G1492"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w gain|strong="G2932"\w* possession \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w his|strong="G1438"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* ‘\w vessel|strong="G4632"\w*’ \w in|strong="G1722"\w* sanctification \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w honor|strong="G5092"\w*,  
\v 5 \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w lustful|strong="G1939"\w* \w passion|strong="G3806"\w* (\w like|strong="G2509"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w heathen|strong="G1484"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w do|strong="G1492"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*);  
\v 6 \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w no|strong="G3361"\w* \w one|strong="G3956"\w* trespass \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w defraud|strong="G4122"\w* \w his|strong="G3956"\w* brother \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w matter|strong="G4229"\w*,\f + \fr 4:6 \ft I take it that this clause clarifies the interpretation of ‘vessel’; verse 4 refers to getting a wife. The term ‘defraud’ is quite strong, so I imagine it refers to courting (not to mention usurping) the affections of a girl already promised, if not betrothed, to another.\f* \w because|strong="G1360"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w avenger|strong="G1558"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w such|strong="G3778"\w* behavior,\f + \fr 4:6 \ft To behave so as to make yourself the object of God's vengeance does not sound like a good idea.\f* \w as|strong="G2531"\w*, \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w*, \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* already \w told|strong="G4302"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w warned|strong="G1263"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.  
\v 7 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w did|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w call|strong="G2564"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* uncleanness, \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* holiness.\f + \fr 4:7 \ft Called “by holiness” and to holiness—‘without which no one will see the Lord’ (Hebrews 12:14).\f*  
\v 8 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* rejecter \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* rejecting \w man|strong="G2316"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w very|strong="G2532"\w* \w One|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w gave|strong="G1325"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*\f + \fr 4:8 \ft Instead of “you”, perhaps 4% of the Greek manuscripts have ‘us’ (as in AV and NKJV).\f* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*.\f + \fr 4:8 \ft Paul is writing to people who have the Holy Spirit.\f*   
\s1 An impressive life style  
\p
\v 9 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w about|strong="G4012"\w* \w brotherly|strong="G5360"\w* \w love|strong="G5360"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w do|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w need|strong="G5532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w*, \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G4771"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w taught|strong="G2312"\w* \w by|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2312"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w love|strong="G5360"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w*,  
\v 10 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* fact \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w doing|strong="G4160"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w toward|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* brothers \w throughout|strong="G1722"\w* \w Macedonia|strong="G3109"\w*.\f + \fr 4:10 \ft They evidently had a strong sense of community in Christ.\f* \w Still|strong="G3123"\w*, \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w exhort|strong="G3870"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w*, brothers,  
\v 11 \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w make|strong="G2532"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* point \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* peaceable \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w mind|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w own|strong="G2398"\w* \w business|strong="G2398"\w*, \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w work|strong="G2038"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w hands|strong="G5495"\w* (\w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w instructed|strong="G3853"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*),  
\v 12 \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w outsiders|strong="G3588"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w well|strong="G2532"\w* impressed \w by|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2192"\w* \w life|strong="G4043"\w* style, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w no|strong="G3367"\w* \w lack|strong="G5532"\w*.\f + \fr 4:12 \ft Throughout the Bible, laziness and idleness are proscribed.\f*   
\ms1 Christ's second coming  
\s1 The Rapture\f + \fr 4:13 \ft This paragraph defines the Rapture: Jesus comes down into the atmosphere of this planet (‘clouds’) and collects all those who belong to Him; the bodies of those who have died physically will be resurrected and reunited with their spirits; those still living will not have to die (death is separation); all their bodies will be glorified; the Christ will have His Bride.\f*  
\p
\v 13 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w*, brothers, \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w want|strong="G2309"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w ignorant|strong="G3361"\w* \w about|strong="G4012"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* ‘\w fallen|strong="G2837"\w* \w asleep|strong="G2837"\w*’,\f + \fr 4:13 \ft This is a metaphor for dying.\f* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w grieve|strong="G3076"\w* \w like|strong="G2531"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w rest|strong="G3062"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w*.  
\v 14 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w since|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w died|strong="G2837"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w rose|strong="G2532"\w* \w again|strong="G2532"\w*, \w just|strong="G2532"\w* \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w bring|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G4862"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w fallen|strong="G2837"\w* \w asleep|strong="G2837"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 15 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*,\f + \fr 4:15 \ft Paul is claiming inspiration.\f* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* still \w alive|strong="G2198"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* left \w until|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w coming|strong="G3952"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*, \w will|strong="G2962"\w* absolutely \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w precede|strong="G5348"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w fallen|strong="G2837"\w* \w asleep|strong="G2837"\w*;  
\v 16 \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* Himself—\w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* commanding \w shout|strong="G2752"\w*,\f + \fr 4:16 \ft One is reminded of Jesus' words in John 5:25-29. In verse 25 He says ‘now is’, so He is speaking of the spiritually dead who need to listen to Him and receive spiritual life. But in verse 28 He speaks plainly of those ‘in the graves’—all the dead will be resurrected at Jesus' command, including the lost, who will then be condemned to the Lake. I take it that here in 4:16 Jesus resurrects only the “dead in Christ”, and He uses a commanding shout. To raise Lazarus He gave a loud shout (John 11:43), that might have carried half a mile; this one will be heard around the globe.\f* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* archangel'\w s|strong="G2962"\w* \w voice|strong="G5456"\w*\f + \fr 4:16 \ft There is only one archangel or top angel; once Lucifer, now Michael.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'\w s|strong="G2962"\w* \w trumpet|strong="G4536"\w*—\w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w come|strong="G2597"\w* \w down|strong="G2597"\w* \w from|strong="G2597"\w* \w heaven|strong="G3772"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* rise \w first|strong="G4413"\w*;  
\v 17 \w then|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* still \w alive|strong="G2198"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* left, \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* snatched \w up|strong="G1519"\w* \w together|strong="G4862"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w clouds|strong="G3507"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w meet|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* air. \w In|strong="G1722"\w* precisely \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w way|strong="G3779"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w always|strong="G3842"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*.\f + \fr 4:17 \ft After the Rapture we will never again be separated.\f*  
\v 18 \w So|strong="G5620"\w* \w then|strong="G5620"\w*, \w comfort|strong="G3870"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w words|strong="G3056"\w*.   
\c 5  
\s1 The Day of the Lord  
\m
\v 1 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w concerning|strong="G4012"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w times|strong="G2540"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w seasons|strong="G2540"\w*, brothers, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w need|strong="G5532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w*,  
\v 2 \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G1722"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* very \w well|strong="G1063"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Day|strong="G2250"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w comes|strong="G2064"\w* \w just|strong="G5613"\w* \w like|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w thief|strong="G2812"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w night|strong="G3571"\w*.  
\v 3 \w For|strong="G1722"\w* \w whenever|strong="G3752"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*, “\w Peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* safety!” \w then|strong="G2532"\w* sudden \w destruction|strong="G3639"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w standing|strong="G2186"\w* \w near|strong="G2186"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*, \w like|strong="G5618"\w* \w labor|strong="G5604"\w* \w pains|strong="G5604"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w pregnant|strong="G1064"\w* \w woman|strong="G2192"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \nd \+w not|strong="G3756"\+w*\nd* \w escape|strong="G1628"\w*.\f + \fr 5:3 \ft The destruction will not necessarily strike when they speak. Just as a pregnant woman knows she will have labor pains (no Caesarean section)—the only uncertainty is when, not if—so the destruction will be inescapable.\f*   
\s1 Live as sons of light  
\p
\v 4 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, brothers, \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w darkness|strong="G4655"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w Day|strong="G2250"\w* \w should|strong="G3588"\w* \w come|strong="G1510"\w* \w upon|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w like|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w thief|strong="G2812"\w*.  
\v 5 \w You|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w sons|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w light|strong="G5457"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w sons|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w*; \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w night|strong="G3571"\w*, \w nor|strong="G3761"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w darkness|strong="G4655"\w*.  
\v 6 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w let|strong="G3767"\w* \w us|strong="G2518"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w sleep|strong="G2518"\w*,\f + \fr 5:6 \ft Here the reference is to physical sleep or mental lethargy, not death.\f* \w like|strong="G5613"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w rest|strong="G3062"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w let|strong="G3767"\w* \w us|strong="G2518"\w* \w stay|strong="G1127"\w* \w alert|strong="G1127"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w sober|strong="G3525"\w*;\f + \fr 5:6 \ft If the Rapture is ‘partial’ (Matthew 25:1-13), only the ‘alert’ will escape.\f*  
\v 7 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w sleep|strong="G2518"\w*, \w sleep|strong="G2518"\w* \w at|strong="G2518"\w* \w night|strong="G3571"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w get|strong="G3182"\w* \w drunk|strong="G3184"\w*, \w get|strong="G3182"\w* \w drunk|strong="G3184"\w* \w at|strong="G2518"\w* \w night|strong="G3571"\w*;  
\v 8 \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w*, \w let|strong="G1161"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w sober|strong="G3525"\w*, \w putting|strong="G2532"\w* \w on|strong="G1746"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w breastplate|strong="G2382"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* love, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w helmet|strong="G4030"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w*.\f + \fr 5:8 \ft Faith and love for the heart, hope for the head.\f*  
\v 9 \w For|strong="G3754"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w did|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w appoint|strong="G5087"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \it undergo\it* \w wrath|strong="G3709"\w* \w but|strong="G2316"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w obtain|strong="G4047"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*,\f + \fr 5:9 \ft I suppose this refers to both manifestations of the Wrath: the Tribulation and the Lake.\f*  
\v 10 \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w* \w for|strong="G4012"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w whether|strong="G1535"\w* \w awake|strong="G1127"\w* \w or|strong="G1535"\w* \w asleep|strong="G2518"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w together|strong="G4862"\w* \w with|strong="G4862"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 5:10 \ft Here is the bottom line: to be with the Creator throughout eternity.\f*  
\v 11 \w Therefore|strong="G1352"\w* \w encourage|strong="G3870"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w another|strong="G1520"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w build|strong="G3618"\w* each \w other|strong="G1520"\w* \w up|strong="G3618"\w*, \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* fact \w you|strong="G4160"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w*.   
\ms1 Concluding instructions  
\s1 Esteem spiritual leaders  
\p
\v 12 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* urge \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, brothers, \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w recognize|strong="G1492"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w labor|strong="G2872"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w over|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w admonish|strong="G3560"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*,  
\v 13 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w esteem|strong="G2233"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w very|strong="G2532"\w* highly \w in|strong="G1722"\w* love \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w work|strong="G2041"\w*. \w Be|strong="G2532"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w peace|strong="G1514"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G1438"\w*.   
\s1 A variety of instructions  
\p
\v 14 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G1161"\w* \w exhort|strong="G3870"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, brothers: \w admonish|strong="G3560"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* disorderly, \w encourage|strong="G3870"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w fainthearted|strong="G3642"\w*, \w be|strong="G3956"\w* supportive \w of|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* weak, \w be|strong="G3956"\w* \w patient|strong="G3114"\w* \w toward|strong="G4314"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*.\f + \fr 5:14 \ft Notice that the response is appropriate to the occasion, or the need.\f*  
\v 15 \w See|strong="G3708"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w no|strong="G3361"\w* \w one|strong="G5100"\w* pays \w back|strong="G1519"\w* \w bad|strong="G2556"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w bad|strong="G2556"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w anyone|strong="G5100"\w*,\f + \fr 5:15 \ft The term ‘bad’ is less strong than the term for malignant evil, so the reference is not to malignant activity.\f* \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w always|strong="G3842"\w* \w pursue|strong="G1377"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w good|strong="G3956"\w*, \w both|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w one|strong="G5100"\w* \w another|strong="G5100"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*.\f + \fr 5:15 \ft The verb ‘pursue’ does not suggest a passive attitude; we should be actively promoting the good for the society at large wherever we live. The result will be a better place to live.\f*  
\v 16 \w Rejoice|strong="G5463"\w* \w always|strong="G3842"\w*!  
\v 17 \w Pray|strong="G4336"\w* continually!  
\v 18 \w Give|strong="G2168"\w* \w thanks|strong="G2168"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w everything|strong="G3956"\w*, \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w will|strong="G2307"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*.\f + \fr 5:18 \ft There are those who say we should give thanks \+nd for\+nd* everything, as distinct from \+nd in\+nd* everything. I doubt that our Lord in the garden of Gethsemane gave thanks for the suffering He was facing and already enduring. To give thanks \+nd in\+nd* a distressful situation is a declaration of confidence in God and His disposition of our affairs.\f*  
\v 19 \w Do|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w quench|strong="G4570"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*!\f + \fr 5:19 \ft When you quench a lighted candle, you put out its light. To quench the Spirit is presumably to ‘put out’ or refuse His light, to suppress or ignore His voice when He speaks to us—this would include any rejection of the revealed will of God.\f*  
\v 20 \w Do|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* disdain prophesies,  
\v 21 \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w test|strong="G1381"\w* \w everything|strong="G3956"\w*;\f + \fr 5:21 \ft All prophesy should be tested, but not disdained or rejected.\f* \w hold|strong="G2722"\w* \w on|strong="G1161"\w* \w to|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w good|strong="G2570"\w*.  
\v 22 Keep away \w from|strong="G4190"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w form|strong="G1491"\w* \w of|strong="G3956"\w* \w evil|strong="G4190"\w*!\f + \fr 5:22 \ft The evil here is aggressive, or malignant.\f*   
\s1 Complete sanctification  
\p
\v 23 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* Himself sanctify \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w completely|strong="G3648"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2962"\w* \w whole|strong="G3648"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w soul|strong="G5590"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w*\f + \fr 5:23 \ft I take it that the grammatical structure of this phrase, “the spirit and the soul and the body” (in Greek), demands a tripartite/trichotomous view of the human being. I confess that I have trouble imagining complete sanctification for the body, in this life.\f* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w preserved|strong="G5083"\w* blameless \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w coming|strong="G3952"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.  
\v 24 \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w calls|strong="G2564"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w faithful|strong="G4103"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w*.   
\s1 Farewell  
\p
\v 25 Brothers, \w pray|strong="G4336"\w* \w for|strong="G4012"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*.  
\v 26 Greet \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* brothers \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* holy \w kiss|strong="G5370"\w*.  
\v 27 \w I|strong="G3956"\w* \w adjure|strong="G3726"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w by|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w letter|strong="G1992"\w* \w be|strong="G3956"\w* read \w to|strong="G2962"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* holy brothers.\f + \fr 5:27 \ft To adjure by the Lord that the letter be read is tantamount to claiming inspiration for it. By extension, does not “all the holy brothers” include us?\f*  
\v 28 \w The|strong="G3588"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w of|strong="G5485"\w* \w our|strong="G2424"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w be|strong="G3588"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*. Amen.