(Tap footnote to read it. Old Testament quotations are underlined. "Love" with a caret ("^love") is agapé.1"agapé" The Greek words ἀγάπη (agapé, noun), and ἀγαπάω (agapaó; verb) are typically translated "love". However, unlike our English word "love" – which primarily speaks of affection and feelings – agapé centers on choice and behavior. It’s the "love" based on will, choice, behavior, and action; not feelings. (Feelings-based love is the Greek word φιλέω (phileó), which properly means "brotherly love/affection".) Thus, you could hate someone passionately and still treat him with "agapé". Agapé "love" is best understood as the pursuit of what is most beneficial to someone or something, regardless of the cost to yourself or the type of response received from the person or thing. It can also indicate a preference for someone or something over other things. )
The Lord’s Day
- But concerning the times and the seasons brothers, you have no need for me to write to you.
- For you yourselves have accurately known that the Lord’s day comes in this way: like a thief in the night.
- When they say: “Peace and security” then destruction comes upon them suddenly, like labor pains of a woman having a child in her womb; and they definitely won’t escape.
- But brothers, you aren’t in darkness that the day might seize you like a thief.
- For you’re all sons of light and sons of day. We aren’t of night nor of darkness.
- So therefore we shouldn’t sleep like the rest of them, but we should watch and be sober.
- For the men sleeping, sleep at night; and the men becoming drunk are drunk at night.
- But we – being of the day – should be sober, having clothed ourselves with the breastplate of faith and ^love, and the helmet of the hope of salvation,
- because God didn’t appoint us for wrath, but for obtainment of salvation through our Lord Jesus the Anointed,
- the One who died on our account, so whether we watch or we sleep, we might live together with Him.
- Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also do.
Proper Christian Conduct
- Now brothers, we ask you to *notice the men toiling among you, and leading you in the Lord, and admonishing you;
- and to greatly esteem them in ^love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
- And we encourage you brothers: admonish the disorderly,1“disorderly” This Greek word refers to someone who isn’t living in the proper “appointed order”. It was used of soldiers who wouldn’t remain in formation and of people who deviated from the proper way of life. encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
- See that no one repays anyone evil in exchange for evil, but always pursue good to one another and to all.
- Rejoice always.
- Pray without ceasing.
- Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Jesus the Anointed.
- Don’t quench the Spirit.
- Don’t disregard or despise2“disregard or despise” is one word in Greek. It means to ignore something or to treat it as being of no value/worth. In the latter sense, it also carries the connotation of treating it contemptuously. prophecies.
- And examine all things; hold fast to the good.
- Keep far away from every form of evil.
Final Blessing
- Now may the God of peace Himself make you completely holy; and may your spirit, and soul, and body be wholly preserved; blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus the Anointed.
- The One calling you is faithful, who will also make it happen.
- Brothers, pray for us.
- Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
- I solemnly charge you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
- The grace of our Lord Jesus the Anointed be with you. [Amen]
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