thanks Fod for 3 1. tience and long-suffering, with glad- CHAP. 5 the new We give thanks concerning you, he apos- to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (having heard of your eir con- faith in Christ Jesus, and your That beloved son who is an image 15 ersion; love towards all the saints) on ac- of the invisible God, a first-born of Christ is 5 count of that hope, which is laid the whole new 'creation, for in him the head of up for you in heaven; of which were created anew all the things in creation, hope ye have heard before in the the 'heavens, and upon the earth, true doctrine of the gospel which the things visible and the things 6 hath appeared among you, as it "invisible, whether thrones, or dohath also in great part of the world, minions, or governments, or powand beareth fruit there as it doth ers, all these things were created among you also from the day of through him and for him. And 17 your hearing and acknowledging he is above all the things of the the genuine kindness of God. new creation, and all these things For this cause we cease not pray-subsist by him, and he is the head 18 ays for ing in your behalf, since the day of the body, the church, the firsteir in- we heard it, and requesting that born from the dead, so as to be owledge ye may be filled with the know-first in all things. For it hath 19 dall ledge of God's will in all spiritual pleased the Father that in him all udness, wisdom and understanding, that yefulness should dwell, and to re10 may walk in a manner worthy of concile all things to himself, by 20 the Lord, so as to please him in all making men at peace with him things, being fruitful in every through Christ whose blood was good-work, and increasing in the shed on the cross; through a cruci11 knowledge of God; being endu-fied Christ I say, whether the things ed with all strength unto all pa- on earth or the things in heaven. ease in 9 1 Colossé was a considerable city of Phrygia in the Lesser Asia, not far from Laodecea, where a Christian church had been founded by Epaphras, or Epaphroditus, the companion of Paul. The apostle wrote this epistle to the Colossians in the same year as he did those to the Ephesians and Philippians, under the same circumstances, and from the same place; with a design to confirm by his own authority the doctrine which Epaphras had taught. This epistle is so like that to the Ephesians, both in language CHAP. and the those who obey his gospel. And you that were formerly aliens, and enemies in your minds by wicked works, hath he now reconciled through your faith, in an obedience to him who suffered the cruel death of his fleshly body, 22 that he might present you holy, and spotless, and blameless before 23 him, if ye continue grounded and stedfast in your faith, and not moved away from the hope of that gospel, which ye have heard, and which hath been preached to Jews and Gentiles very extensively, of which I Paul have been made a minister. CHAP. ance recom mended, edness; : 2 III. in knowledge after the image of CHAP. forced. Clothe yourselves, therefore, as 13 chosen saints, and beloved sons of Various God, with affections of pity, kind- virtues enness, humility of mind, meekness, forbearance; bearing with each other, and forgiving each other freely: if any one have a complaint against another, even as Christ freely forgave you, do ye also freely forgive. But over all these virtues, 14 put on love, which is the bond of perfection, and let the peace of Christ preside in your hearts; to 15 which ye have been also called in one body; and be thankful. Let 16 the doctrine of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom, whilst ye teach and admonish yourselves with psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in yourheart to the Lord. And whatever 17 ye say, or do, do all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks unto God the Father through him. Wives, submit yourselves to your 18 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Persever him rooted and built up in him. and established in the faith; and 6 as ye were taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. CHAP. Since ye have been raised up III. with Christ, seek those things which and spiri- are above, where Christ sitteth tual mind- at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things above, not on the things upon the earth; 3 for ye have died to the things of this world, and your life is laid up in store with Christ 4 in God; so that when Christ our, life shall appear, we also shall ap-husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Duty of 5 pear in glory. Let your members, Husbands love your wives, and be therefore, be dead to these earthly not bitter toward them. Children, things, fornication, uncleanness, obey your parents in all things, for of children, impure passion, wicked lusts, and this is well-pleasing to the Lord. inordinate desire, which is idolatry; Fathers, provoke not your chil- and parents 6 for because of these things the pu- dren, lest they be discouraged. nishment of God cometh on the Servants, obey your worldly mas- of servants, 7 sons of disobedience, amongst ters in all things; not with eye- 22 whom ye once lived, and walked service, as men-pleasers, but with in these practices. singleness of heart, in the fear of 8 But now lay aside all these things, God; and whatever ye do, do it 23 with a re- anger, wrath, malice, evil-speak-from the soul as for the Lord, and ing, and filthy conversation, from not for men only, knowing that 24 thing un- your mouth. Lie not one to ano-from the Lord ye will receive the worthy of ther, since ye have put off the old inheritance of sons for your reward, man with his deeds, and have put for ye serve Christ as your Lord. on the new man, which is renewed But he that doeth wrong will be 25 nunciation of every a Christian. 1 Raised to a new and better course of life, as he was from the tomb. • Your future life and happiness. wives and husbands; ST. PAUL'S FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS.* CHAP. 1. The ad dress. 2 PAUL we acquitted ourselves among you CHAP. for your sakes. I. good ex set. AUL and Sylvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians which professes faith in And ye became imitators of me; 6 God our Father, and our Lord Je-receiving the doctrine of the Lord and the sus Christ favour be to you and in much affliction; but with joy ample they peace! of a holy spirit: so that ye are become patterns to all the believers 7 in Macedonia and Achaia; for 8 from you the word of the Lord hath sounded forth not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place also your faith in God hath spread abroad, so that we need not 3 We thank God always for you Grateful all, making mention of you in our joy on account of prayers without ceasing, remembertheir good ing the activity of your faith, and behaviour; the laboriousness of your love, and 3 the patience of your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of 4our God and Father : knowing, 1 to speak any thing concerning it. brethren, beloved by God, that he For they themselves declare what a 9 5 hath chosen you. For the gospel reception we had among you, and preached by us came not to you in how ye turned to God from idols, words only, but also with the pow-to serve the living and true God, er of the holy spirit, and with great and to look for his son from heaven, 10 conviction ; even as ye know how whom he raised from the dead, even I The before hidden doctrine of the Gen- been idolaters, into a regular society or tiles' equal right with the Jews to a partici-church. The next year, A. D. 52, being at pation of the gospel. This epistle is thought by learned men to have been the first which the apostle wrote. He had preached the gospel at Thessalonica, which was at that time the capital of Macedonia, about A. D. 51, and had formed his converts, consisting chiefly of native heathens, who had formerly Corinth, he wrote them this epistle, exhort- 3 Amongst all the Christian churches. CHAP. Jesus, who will deliver us from the punishment that is to come. 1. СНАР. IV. Courage II. hered to secution. which ye heard from us, ye accept- CHAP. III. great de For yourselves know, brethren, that our coming among you was not in vain; but though we had beand since fore suffered bodily injury, as ye rity of the apostle; know, at Philippi we had the cour2 age through our God to declare unto, you the gospel of God, with 3 much earnestness; inasmuch as our exhortation was not of error, nor with impure views, nor with 4 guile; but as we have been thought worthy by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we speak accordingly, not as pleasing men, but God, who 5 proveth our hearts. For neither did we use at any time flattering speeches, as ye know, nor seek 6 praise of men, neither of you, nor of others, nor any pretence of extortion (God is witness,) when we might have used authority, as 7 apostles of Christ; but we behaved with gentleness among you. 8 As affectionate towards you, as and tender a nursing-mother cherishing her children, we were willing to impart unto you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives also, because ye were dear unto us. 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and toil; how we worked night and day, that we might not be burthensome to any of you. 10 Ye are witnesses, and God is witness, how holily and uprightly, Further more, brethren, we en- CHAP. and unblameably we behaved our-treat and exhort you, as ye have reselves among you that believed; ceived from us how ye ought to Exhorta11 as ye know how we exhorted and walk and to please God, ye would tion to comforted, and charged every one abound more and more. For ye eminence of you as a father doth his children, know what charges we gave you by and purity, 12 that ye should walk in a manner the authority of the Lord Jesus. worthy of God, who hath called us For this is the will of God, even 3 into his glorious kingdom. your sanctification, that ye keep yourselves from fornication, that 4 each of you know how to possess his body in holiness and honour; not in affection for his converts; 13 For this cause we are thankful also unto God continually, that upon receiving the doctrine of God, What thanks can we render un- CHAP. to God concerning you, all for the joy which we feel on your He exaccount, before our God, night presses his and day? being most exceedingly de- sire to see sirous to see your face, and to make them. up the deficiencies of your faith. Now may God our Father, and our 11 Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. And may the Lord multi- 12 ply abundantly your love to each other and to all, as our's also is towards you; so as to establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. IV. Christian I What they wanted of the knowledge of the gospel, and spiritual gifts. 2 Jesus might be entreated to direct the apostle's way, because he conferred the gifts IV. and bro 9 ye with these doctrines. you as 18 IV. V. CHAP. lustful passions, as those Gentiles we shall ever be with the Lord. CHAP. who know not God; not over- Wherefore, comfort each other 5 reaching, nor injuring his brother 6 in this matter: because the Lord But concerning the exact time of CHAP. will punish all these things, as we this, brethren, ye have no need also forewarned you, and expressly that I write unto you, for ye your. It will be 7 declared; for God hath not called selves know perfectly that the day sudden. us unto uncleanness, but unto hos of the Lord will come as a thief in 2 8 liness; so that he who rejecteth the night. When men shall say, 3 this precept rejecteth not man but" Peace and safety," then sudden God; who hath also given his ho-destruction will come upon them, ly spirit for our benefit. and they shall not escape. But ye, 4 Now, concerning brotherly love brethren, are not in darkness that have no need that I write unto the last day should overtake herly love. you; for ye yourselves are taught a thief. Ye are all sons of light, 5 10 by God to love one another; and and sons of day: we are not of indeed ye do practice this towards night nor of darkness. So then let 6 all the brethren throughout Mace-us not sleep as others, but be donia; and we exhort you, bre-watchful and sober; for the sleepers 7 11 thren! to abound therein still sleep by night, and the drunkards more, and to be ambitious of peace, are drunken by night. But let us 8 and to mind your own business, who are of the day be sober, putand to work with your own hands;ting on a breast-plate of faith and 12 as we charged you that ye may ap-love, and for a helmet the hope of pear with credit to those who are salvation: for God hath appointed 9 without, and be in want of no- us not unto punishment, but to atthing. tain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that 10 whether we be alive or dead at the last day, we might dwell together with him. Wherefore encourage 11 each other, and improve each other, as indeed ye do. 13 g of hrist decribed. 2 duties en forced. Now, I wish you, brethren, not The com- to be ignorant with respect to them that are fallen asleep, lest ye sorrow as other men without hope. 14 For if we are persuaded that Jesus died and rose again, even so we ought to believe that God will Now, we entreat you, brethren, 12 through Jesus bring with him them to consider them who labour among Various 15 also who are fallen asleep. For you, and are set over you in the this we declare unto you by the Lord, and admonish you; and to word of the Lord, that those of us regard them with the utmost fond- 13 who are left alive at the coming of ness of affection; and to live in the Lord shall not be before them peace with them, because of their 16 that are asleep; because the Lord office. And we exhort you, bre- 14 himself will come down from hea-thren, admonish the unruly, comven with the commanding voice of fort the feeble-minded, support the an archangel, and a loud-sounding weak be long-suffering towards all trumpet. And they who have died men. See that none render evil 15 in the cause of Christ, will first for evil to any one, but follow after 17 come to life; afterwards we who kindness always to each other, and are left alive shall be caught up to- to all. Rejoice evermore; pray 16 gether with them into the clouds, to without ceasing; at all times give 17 meet the Lord in the air; and then thanks; for this is the will of God 18 * Perfectly well instructed. In things relating to Christianity. |