Now, we ask you, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, Truth to Learn In the midst of your suffering, look up! He is coming soon! Behind the Words The word translated “now” is de. This particle serves to introduce a...
2 Thessalonians 1:12 – His Glory!
so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Truth to Learn Jesus Christ will one day receive all the glory and all the praise that is due to...
2 Thessalonians 1:11 – Don’t Complain, Give Thanks!
To this end we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good intent of His goodness and the work of faith with power, Truth to Learn Trials are good for Christians. Don’t complain – thank God. Behind...
2 Thessalonians 1:10 – Return In Glory
when He comes to be glorified among His saints on that Day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed. Truth to Learn Christ is coming in glory to judge and to rule. Behind the Words “To be glorified” is...
2 Thessalonians 1:9 – Eternal Torment
These shall pay the penalty, eternal distress from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, Truth to Learn Those who reject Jesus Christ will suffer terribly, for eternity! Behind the Words The words “pay the penalty” is translated from the words dikēn tisousin. The...
2 Thessalonians 1:8 – Righteous Blazing Fire
in blazing fire giving vengeance to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. Truth to Learn God will judge unbelievers, so we don’t need to. Behind the Words “Blazing” is translated from the Greek word phlox, which...
2 Thessalonians 1:7 – Eternal Rest
and to you who are troubled, rest with us in the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His mighty angels, Truth to Learn Christians may be suffering now, but we will have eternal rest. Behind the Words Some translations start this verse off with, “and to give...
2 Thessalonians 1:6 – Righteous Judgment
since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, Truth to Learn God will “pay back” those who cause Christians to suffer. Behind the Words The word “since” is translated from eiper. This Greek word is made up of ei, which is...
2 Thessalonians 1:5 – A Kingdom Viewpoint
which is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment, for you to be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you indeed suffer; Truth to Learn Christians know God’s merciful judgment and can keep God’s kingdom in view when we suffer persecution and tribulation. Behind the Words...
2 Thessalonians 1:4 – Faithful Endurance
so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, Truth to Learn Our growth comes from enduring difficult circumstances. Behind the Words Kauchomai is the Greek verb translated “boast.” This word may...
2 Thessalonians 1:3 – Growing Difficulties
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, Truth to Learn Difficult times help our faith to grow. Behind the Words The words “we are bound”...
2 Thessalonians 1:2 – Grace and Peace
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Truth to Learn People who know God’s grace can experience peace with Him. Behind the Words “Grace” is translated from the Greek noun charis, which is from the verb chairō, meaning “to rejoice.” Charis means...
2 Thessalonians 1:1 – Jesus’ Church
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Truth to Learn All Christians are members of the church of Jesus Christ. Behind the Words “Church” is translated from the Greek word ekklēsia, which is made up of ek,...
New Blog Section – Chicken Scratchings
We have recently added a new blog section. It's called Chicken Scratchings (click on "Chicken Scratchings" on the top menu). That's seems like a crazy title, doesn't it. Well, we learn a lot about God from these girls. These are weekly posts by my wife, Conie, a retired High School English...
1 Thessalonians 5:27 – Read God’s Letters
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brothers. Truth to Learn Reading God’s Word is essential for all Christians. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “charge” is horkidzō, which is based on horkos, meaning “a solemn oath.” The verb horkidzō...
1 Thessalonians 5:28 – Our Lord and Master
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Truth to Learn Jesus Christ is our gracious Lord and Master. He owns us. Behind the Words “Grace” is translated from the Greek noun charis, which is from the verb chairō, meaning “to rejoice.” Therefore, we see that...
1 Thessalonians 5:26 – A Holy Kiss?
Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. Truth to Learn The early church employed a kiss as a customary greeting. Behind the Words “Greet” is from aspadzomai, meaning “to enfold in the arms” or as we would say, “to hug.” But, it can also mean “to salute,” “to...
1 Thessalonians 5:25 – Humble Prayer Request
Brothers, pray for us. Truth to Learn We all need prayer so that we can bring glory to God. Behind the Words The word “brothers” is translated from adelphos, which is made up of a connective particle, a and a form of the noun delphus, meaning “the womb.” Thus,...
1 Thessalonians 5:24 – The Promise Keeper
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. Truth to Learn God will keep His promise regarding your salvation. Behind the Words “He who calls” is translated from ho kalōn. The word ho is the third person singular personal pronoun (he) and kalōn is the present...
1 Thessalonians 5:23 – Sanctification and Preservation
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Truth to Learn God is the one who makes us holy and keeps us to the end. Behind the Words...
1 Thessalonians 5:22 – Avoid All Evil
Abstain from every form of evil. Truth to Learn Live life in God’s presence and in obedience to Him. Behind the Words “Abstain” is translated from the Greek verb apechomai, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and a form of echō, meaning “to have”...
1 Thessalonians 5:21 – Find Good and Hold On
Test all things; hold fast what is good. Truth to Learn We are to look for good and hold on to it when we find it. Behind the Words Dokimadzō is the Greek verb translated “test” in today’s verse. This Greek word means “to test something to determine its...
1 Thessalonians 5:20 – Foretelling or Forth-telling?
Do not despise prophecies. Truth to Learn Christians should only believe a preacher or teacher if their message is completely supported by what the Bible says. Behind the Words The word “despise” is translated from the Greek verb exoutheneō. It is made up of ek, used as an intensifier...
1 Thessalonians 5:19 – Let The Spirit Breathe
Do not quench the Spirit. Truth to Learn It is wrong for Christians to suppress the working of the Spirit. Behind the Words The word “quench” is translated from sbennumi, which means “to extinguish” or “to quench.” When used metaphorically, it means “to suppress” or “to hinder.” The verb...
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Thankful For Everything
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Truth to Learn Christians are to be thankful for everything! Behind the Words The word translated “everything” is pas, meaning “all.” It includes the idea of plurality, meaning “all the parts” or “every.”...
1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray Unceasingly
pray without ceasing, Truth to Learn Our prayer life is to be a continual part of our walk with God. Behind the Words “Pray” is translated from the Greek verb proseuchomai. This word is made up of pros, meaning “to or toward” and euchomai, which literally means “to speak...
1 Thessalonians 5:16 – Rejoice Always
Rejoice always, Truth to Learn Christians should always be filled with joy. Behind the Words The Greek verb translated “rejoice,” is chairō, which literally means “to be calmly happy, to be glad, or to rejoice.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command. “Always” is from...
1 Thessalonians 5:15 – Do Good, Not Evil
See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for one another and for all. Truth to Learn Don’t retaliate when you experience evil. Do good instead. Behind the Words The word translated “renders” is apodidōmi, which is composed of apo,...
1 Thessalonians 5:14 – Caution, Support, and Patience
And we exhort you, brothers, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all. Truth to Learn We all need to patiently work toward peace in the church. Behind the Words The word “exhort” is from parakaleō, meaning “to encourage, challenge, or comfort.”...
1 Thessalonians 5:13 – Respect, Honor, and Peace
and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. Truth to Learn Respect and honor your pastor and be at peace with all your Christian brothers. Behind the Words “Esteem” is translated from hēgeomai, which means “to lead,” that is, “to...
1 Thessalonians 5:12 – Encouragement and Prayer
And we ask you, brothers, to recognize those working hard among you, and leading you in the Lord and admonishing you, Truth to Learn Pastors have a tough job. Encourage and pray for him today. Behind the Words The word translated “we ask” is erōtaō, which literally means “to...