PAUL

CHAPTER I.

AUL, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto 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;

In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Phi. 4. 6.

God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers. Ro. 1.9; Eph. 1. 16; 2 Ti. 1. 3; Phile. 4.

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 1 Th. 2. 13.

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;

Timotheus brought us good tidings of your faith and charity. 1 Th. 3. 6.- We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth. 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. 2 Th. 1. 3, 11.

In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ga. 5. 6.Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Ja. 2. 17.

Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Co. 4. 17, 18.

:

4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. 2 Th. 2. 13.He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Phi. 1. 6.-He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Eph. 1. 4.

5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what

manner of men we were among you for sake.

your

My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. 1 Co. 2. 4.-The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 1 Co. 4. 20.-As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Is. 55. 10, 11.

Unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding. Col.

2.2.

Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: as ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children. 1 Th. 2. 10, 11; 2 Th. 3.7-9.

6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

They first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 2 Co. 8. 5.-Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 1 Co. 11. 1.

And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. Ac. 13. 52.-The fruit of the Spirit is joy. Ga. 5. 22.

7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

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

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 endure. 2 Th. 1. 4.-I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. Ro. 1. 8.

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.

Our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Phi. 3. 20.-Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Tit. 2. 13.

If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Jno. 14. 3.-This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Ac. 1. 11.

The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. 1 Th. 4. 16.-The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. 2 Th. 1. 7.-Behold, he cometh with clouds: and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even 80, Amen. Re. 1. 7.

Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Ac. 2. 24.

We shall be saved from wrath through him. Ro. 5. 9.-God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Th. 5. 9.

[They] said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Re. 6. 16, 17.-The angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Mat. 13. 49, 50.

FOR

CHAPTER II.

OR yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain :

Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. 1 Th. 1. 5, etc.

2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 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: whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. Col. 1. 26-29.

Ac. 16. 22; 17. 1_3.

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

We are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 2 Co. 2. 17.-We... have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in oraftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 2 Co. 4. 1, 2,

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.

A dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 1 Co. 9. 17.-The glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. 1 Ti. 1. 11, 12.-Do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Ga. 1. 10.

5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Ac. 20. 33.

If our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 1 Jno. 3. 21.

6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

I receive not honour from men. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Jno. 5. 41, 44.-They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Jno. 12. 43.

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 2 Th. 3. 8, 9.-I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your's, but you for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 2 Co. 12. 14.—If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 1 Co. 9. 12, 18.

7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 1 Co. 9. 22.-I... beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 Co. 10. 1.-He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Is. 40. 11.

The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient. 2 Ti. 2. 24.-Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. 1 Ti. 5. 1, 2.

8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 Jno. 3. 16.-I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 2 Co. 12. 15.

9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

Ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. Ac. 20. 34; 1 Co. 9. 11, 13, 14.

and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves 10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily

among you that believe:

We have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. 2 Co. 7. 2.-Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly since rity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. 2 Co. 1. 12.

11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. We beseech you, 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. 1 Th. 4. 1.— I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. Eph. 4. 1.Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Col. 1. 10.-Let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ. Phi. 1. 27.

God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Th. 2. 13, 14.-Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Ti. 1. 9.

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Co. 1. 9.

13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

He... that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. 1 Th. 4. 8.-He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. Mat. 10. 40.-My temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Ga. 4. 14.

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth. Ja. 1. 18. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 1 Pe. 1. 23.

14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judæa are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Jno. 15. 5.-Of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Co. 1. 30.

Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. He. 10. 33, 34.

15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their

own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers. Ac. 7. 52.

Saul confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. And ... the Jews took counsel to kill him. Ac. 9. 22, 23.

16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway for the wrath is come upon them to the

uttermost.

The Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. Ac. 13. 50. There came... certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Ac. 14. 19.-When the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred 489

up the people. Ac. 17. 13.- When Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat. Ac. 18. 12.

Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye Scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city. Mat. 23. 32, 34; 24. 1, 2, 21, 34.

17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

Though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. Col. 2. 5.

Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith. 1. Th. 3. 10.

18 Wherefore we would have come unto hindered us. you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan

The devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried. Re. 2. 10.-The devil... put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him. After the sop Satan entered into him. Jno. 13. 2, 27.

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence

of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20 For ye are our glory and joy.

We are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our's in the day of the Lord Jesus. 2 Co. 1. 14.-My joy and crown, my dearly beloved. Phi. 4. 1.-Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me. Is. 8. 18.

Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Re. 22. 12.

W

CHAPTER III.

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

They that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed. Ac. 17. 15.

2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the

gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Ac. 14. 22.

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.

I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. Eph. 3. 13.

Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. Mat. 10. 22.-They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Jno. 16. 2, 33.

I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. Ac. 9. 16.-The Holy Ghost witnesseth in every

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city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Ac. 20. 23, 24.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Ti. 3. 12. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. 1 Pe. 2. 21.-If children, then heirs ; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Ro. 8. 17.

5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Co. 11. 3.-I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. Ga. 4. 11.

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. Lu. 8. 13.

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 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 endure. 2 Th. 1. 3, 4.-Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. 1 Pe. 1. 5_7.

6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remem

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Jno. 13. 34, 35.

13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Co. 1. 8.The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Th. 5. 23.

The Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. Zec. 14. 5.-And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints. Jude 14.-When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. Mat. 25. 31.-The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. 2 Th. 1. 7.

as we also to see you:

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. Ac. 18. 1.

7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more. 2 Co. 7. 6, 7.

8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 Jno. 4.

Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph. 6. 10, 11.

9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

1 Th. 2. 19, 20.

10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established. Ro. 1. 11.

This also we wish, even your perfection. 2 Co. 13. 9.

CHAPTER IV.

URTHERMORE then we beseech you, 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.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Co. 5. 4.-Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Col. 1. 10.

2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Mat. 28. 20.

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. 2 Th. 2. 13.Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a harlot? God forbid. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth formication sinneth against his own body. 1 Co. 6. 15, 18.-Fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints. Eph. 5. 3.

4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; As ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. Ro. 6. 19.

5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

God gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves. Ro. 1. 24.

6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Ro. 1. 18.

7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy. Le. 19. 2.-Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. He. 12. 14.-As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. 1 Pe. 1. 15.

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

He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. Lu. 10. 16.-Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth. 1 Co. 2. 13.-All scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Ti. 3. 16.-Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Pe. 1. 21.

9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things. Jno. 14. 26. Ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 1 Jno. 2. 20.

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Mat. 22. 39.—This is my commandment, That love one another, as I have loved you. Jno. 15. 12.-Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Eph. 5. 2.-Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Pe. 4. 8.-This is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 1 Jno. 3. 11.

10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment. Phi. 1. 9.-Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently. 1 Pe. 1. 22.

11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 1 Pe. 4. 15.Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Eph. 4. 28.-I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Ac. 20. 35; 2 Th. 3. 7-12.

12 That ye may walk honestly toward them

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

Ye are the children of the Lord your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. De. 14. 1.-Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. 2 Sa. 12. 20.

Ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. Eph. 2. 12.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 1 Co. 15. 20.

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.

I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ. Phi. 1. 23.-Willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Co. 5. 8.-Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 2 Co. 4. 14.-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. 2 Th. 2. 2.

16 For the 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:

They shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Mat. 24. 30, 31.-This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Ac. 1. 11.-The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. 2 Th. 1.7.-But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Co. 15. 23, 52.-The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Re. 20. 5, 6.

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.