Traditions... See here that the unwritten traditions are no less to be received than their epistles.
2:15. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and G.o.d and our Father, who hath loved us and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope in grace,
2:16. Exhort your hearts and confirm you in every good work and word.
2 Thessalonians Chapter 3
He begs their prayers and warns them against idleness.
3:1. For the rest, brethren, pray for us that the word of G.o.d may run and may be glorified, even as among you:
May run... That is, may spread itself, and have free course.
3:2. And that we may be delivered from importunate and evil men: for all men have not faith.
3:3. But G.o.d is faithful, who will strengthen and keep you from evil.
3:4. And we have confidence concerning you in the Lord that the things which we command, you both do and will do.
3:5. And the Lord direct your hearts, in the charity of G.o.d and the patience of Christ.
3:6. And we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition which they have received of us.
3:7. For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us. For we were not disorderly among you.
3:8. Neither did we eat any man"s bread for nothing: but in labour and in toil we worked night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you.
3:9. Not as if we had not power: but that we might give ourselves a pattern unto you, to imitate us.
3:10. For also, when we were with you, this we declared to you: that, if any man will not work, neither let him eat.
3:11. For we have heard there are some among you who walk disorderly: working not at all, but curiously meddling.
3:12. Now we charge them that are such and beseech them by the Lord Jesus Christ that, working with silence, they would eat their own bread.
3:13. But you, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
3:14. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
3:15. Yet do not esteem him as an enemy but admonish him as a brother.
3:16. Now the Lord of peace himself give you everlasting peace in every place. The Lord be with you all.
3:17. The salutation of Paul with my own hand: which is the sign in every epistle. So I write.
3:18. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO TIMOTHY
St. Paul write this Epistle to his BELOVED TIMOTHY, being then bishop of Ephesus, to instruct him in the duties of a bishop, both in respect to himself and to his charge; and that he ought to be well informed of the good morals of those on whom he was to impose hands: Impose not hands lightly upon any man. He tells him also how he should behave towards his clergy. The Epistle was written about 33 years after our Lord"s Ascension; but where it was written is uncertain: the more general opinion is, that it was in Macedonia.
1 Timothy Chapter 1
He puts Timothy in mind of his charge and blesses G.o.d for the mercy he himself had received.
1:1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the commandment of G.o.d our Saviour and Christ Jesus our hope:
1:2. To Timothy, his beloved son in faith. Grace, mercy and peace, from G.o.d the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.
1:3. As I desired thee to remain at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some not to teach otherwise:
1:4. Not to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which furnish questions rather than the edification of G.o.d which is in faith.
1:5. Now the end of the commandment is charity from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and an unfeigned faith.
1:6. From which things some, going astray, are turned aside unto vain babbling:
1:7. Desiring to be teachers of the law: understanding neither the things they say, nor whereof they affirm.
1:8. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.
1:9. Knowing this: That the law is not made for the just man but for the unjust and disobedient, for the unG.o.dly and for sinners, for the wicked and defiled, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
The law is not... He means, that the just man doth good, and avoideth evil, not as compelled by the law, and merely for fear of the punishment appointed for transgressors; but voluntarily, and out of the love of G.o.d and virtue; and would do so, though there were no law.
1:10. For fornicators, for them who defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and whatever other thing is contrary to sound doctrine:
1:11. Which is according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed G.o.d which hath been committed to my trust.
1:12. I give him thanks who hath strengthened me, even to Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he hath counted me faithful, putting me in the ministry:
1:13. Who before was a blasphemer and a persecutor and contumelious. But I obtained the mercy of G.o.d, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
1:14. Now the grace of our Lord hath abounded exceedingly with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.
1:15. A faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief.
1:16. But for this cause have I obtained mercy: that in me first Christ Jesus might shew forth all patience, for the information of them that shall believe in him unto life everlasting.
1:17. Now to the king of ages, immortal, invisible, the only G.o.d, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1:18. This precept, I commend to thee, O son Timothy: according to the prophecies going before on thee, that thou war in them a good warfare,