WHAT MAKES THIS COMMENTARY ON THESSALONIANS & TITUS UNIQUE?

It offers:

• An easily accessible theological narrative
• Application of historical trends to current events
• A linguistic, exegetical display of each verse
• A Reformation focus on God's sovereignty in salvation
• A presentation of the law in its proper sphere of activity
• Discussion on experiential sanctification when appropriate

Table of Contents

Preface

I THESSALONIANS

Introduction

Vocabulary

CHAPTER 1

Christian Role Models (1:1 - 1:7)

Outstanding Evangelism (1:8 - 1:9)

Imminency of the Rapture (1:10)

Summary

CHAPTER 2

Faithful to the Truth (2:1 - 2:4)

Pastoral Care (2:5 - 2:13)

Religious Hostility (2:14 - 2:16)

Long Distance Fellowship (2:17 - 2:20)

Summary

CHAPTER 3

Covert Operation (3:1 - 3:6)

Encouraging Report (3:7 - 3:9)

Prayer for Spiritual Stability (3:10 - 3:13)

Summary

CHAPTER 4

Walk by Divine Mandates (4:1 - 4:2)

Sexual Immorality (4:3 - 4:8)

Exercise Virtue Love (4:9 - 4:12)

Rapture and Resurrection (4:13 - 4:18)

Summary

CHAPTER 5

Day of the Lord (5:1 - 5:5)

Be Alert and Prepared (5:6 - 5:10)

Build a Doctrinal Structure (5:11 - 5:13)

Warnings and Exhortations (5:14 - 5:22)

Sanctification (5:23 - 5:24)

Salutation (5:25 - 5:28)

Summary

II THESSALONIANS

Introduction

CHAPTER 1

Positive Spiritual Feedback (1:1 - 1:6)

Rewards or Discipline (1:7 - 1:10)

Reciprocity (1:11 - 1:12)

Summary

CHAPTER 2

Rebellion, Rapture, Antichrist (2:1 - 2:6)

Unrestrained Sin and Evil (2:7 - 2:12)

Dispensational Correction (2:13 - 2:15)

Comfort and Encouragement (2:16 - 2:17)

Summary

CHAPTER 3

Protection and Direction (3:1 - 3:5)

Financial Independence (3:6 - 3:9)

Get Back to Work (3:10 - 3:12)

Separation from Lazy Christians (3:13 - 3:15)

Salutation (3:16 - 3:18)

Summary

TITUS

Introduction

CHAPTER 1

Paul's Brief Resume (1:1 - 1:3)

Guardian-Overseer Requirements (1:4 - 1:9)

Opposition from Within (1:10 - 1:16)

Summary

CHAPTER 2

Christian Behavior (2:1 - 2:10)

Educative Grace (2:11 - 2:12)

Lord's Return at the Rapture (2:13 - 2:14)

Responsibility to Exert Authority (2:15)

Summary

CHAPTER 3

Self-Control and Authority Orientation (3:1 - 3:3)

Grace and Mercy (3:4 - 3:8)

Church Discipline (3:9 - 3:11)

Travel and Logistics (3:12 - 3:15)

Summary

APPENDIX

Glossary

Works Cited

1 Thess. 1:1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ [positional truth]. Grace and prosperity to you.

1 Thess. 1:2 We always give thanks to God concerning all of you [you are not forgotten], continually making mention of you during our prayers,

1 Thess. 1:3 While unceasingly remembering your production [priestly function] from doctrine [application of the truth in your souls] and your labor [ambassadorship function] from the love complex [virtue love from the filling of the Spirit] and your patient endurance [passing momentum tests] based on confidence which rests on our Lord Jesus Christ [as opposed to self-confidence] in the face of God, even our Father,

1 Thess. 1:4 Knowing, brethren, having been loved in the past and continue to be loved in the present, your election by God [chosen by God in eternity past and cared for logistically at this very moment],

1 Thess. 1:5 For our gospel [message of good news] did not come to you in the sphere of word only [mere human philosophy], but also in the sphere of power [divine backing], even in the Holy Spirit [baptism of the Spirit placed all believers in union with Christ] and accompanied by full assurance [eternal security], even as you know beyond a shadow of a doubt the kind [quality] of men we showed ourselves to be for your benefit [example].

1 Thess. 1:6 And as for you [new believers], you became imitators of us [we stayed in Thessalonica as long as we could and taught you Bible doctrine] and of the Lord, having received [positive volition] the Word [Bible doctrine] while under frequent pressure [persecution] with inner happiness from the Holy Spirit [pressure caused them to utilize doctrine and grow spiritually],

1 Thess. 1:7 So that you became a pattern [Christian blueprint] to all those who are believers in Macedonia [northern Greece] and in Achaia [southern Greece].

1 Thess. 1:8 For from you the Word of the Lord sounded out in the past and is still sounding out in the present like a trumpet, not only in Macedonia and Achaia [within Greece], but in every place [outside Greece] your application of doctrine towards God [faith rest] has gone forth [worldwide evangelism], so that we [Paul's missionary team] do not have a need to say anything [in many cities Paul did not have to evangelize because the Thessalonians had gotten there first].

1 Thess. 1:9 Because they themselves [new converts] continue to report about you: what kind of reception we [Paul, Silas and Timothy] had in your presence [when we first came to Thessalonica], and how you turned to God away from idols for the purpose of serving as bondslaves to the living and true God,

1 Thess. 1:10 And to be waiting expectantly for His Son out from the heavens [at the rapture of the Church], Whom He [the Father] raised out from the dead [resurrection], Jesus, the One who will deliver us out from the wrath [the Church will not go through the tribulation] which is coming [imminency of the rapture prior to the tribulation].

1 Thess. 2:1 For you will recall, brethren, our initial visit among you [in Thessalonica], that it did not prove to be futile [believers did come to Christ],

1 Thess. 2:2 But having suffered before [beaten and tortured] and having been disgracefully mistreated [imprisoned], as you know, in Philippi, we [nevertheless] spoke boldly and freely [with courage] in our God when we proclaimed the good news of God to you [in Thessalonica] while in a state of great opposition.

1 Thess. 2:3 For our declaration [of the gospel] is not from the source of [doctrinal] error nor impure motive [from living in the cosmic system] nor by means of deceit [treachery],

1 Thess. 2:4 But since we were tested and approved by God [for blessing] as being faithful with reference to the good news, in the same manner we keep on speaking, not as pleasing men [emptying the gospel message of its offensive content], but to God [motivational virtue from love for God in spiritual autonomy], Who ultimately tests and approves the mentality [thinking] of our souls [for rewards and blessings in eternity].

1 Thess. 2:5 Indeed, neither at any time did we become a flatterer in word, as you know, nor a pretext for covetousness [using the gospel as a cover-up to obtain money]. God is our witness [to our proper motivation].

1 Thess. 2:6 Nor did we seek glory [special treatment] from men, neither from you [Thessalonians] nor from others of the same kind [believers in other geographical locations]. When we were able to be burdensome [financially] on the grounds that we were apostles of Christ [legitimate authority],

1 Thess. 2:7 Instead, we became innocent [genuine humility] in your midst, as though we were a nursing mother taking care of her own children.

1 Thess. 2:8 In this manner, desiring to be with you, we took delight in sharing with you not only the gospel of God [evangelistic message], but also our own souls [the doctrinal content in our thinking], because you have become dear [close friends] to us.

1 Thess. 2:9 For you remember, brethren, our travail [mother's birth pangs] and labor [father's toil]: night and day we engaged in manual labor for your benefit [self-supporting missionary team], so that we would not have to financially burden you [as new believers] whenever we proclaimed the good news of God [Bible doctrine] to you.

1 Thess. 2:10 You are witnesses and so is God, concerning how we conducted ourselves in a manner pleasing to God [divine viewpoint], both just [with virtue] and blameless [with integrity] towards you who are believers [execution of the royal family honor code].

1 Thess. 2:11 As you know, like a father with his own children [with authority orientation], we exhorted [with doctrine] and comforted [with encouragement] each one of you [individually],

1 Thess. 2:12 As well as urging you to walk [conduct yourselves] in a manner worthy of God [according to divine standards] who called you into His own royal power [divine sphere of power] and glory [strategic and tactical victory in the angelic conflict].

1 Thess. 2:13 Moreover, for this reason [to spur your spiritual momentum forward], we also thank God unceasingly in our prayers, because when you received the Word [Bible doctrine] along with us, you welcomed the teaching as from God [divine origin], certainly not from man [human origin], in so far as it is truly the Word [doctrine] of God, which also continues to operate in you when you continue to trust it [exercise positive volition].

1 Thess. 2:14 For you, brethren [members of the royal family], became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea [the first wave of persecution] in Christ Jesus, for you also suffered similar things from your own countrymen [conspirators], even as they [the Judeans] suffered from the Jews.

1 Thess. 2:15 Those [Jewish legalistic & criminal element] who murdered both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and harshly persecuted us [Paul and his missionary team were driven out of the region], and are not pleasing to God [cosmic 1: antagonism towards God] and are hostile to all men [cosmic 2: hating His evangelists],

1 Thess. 2:16 Who have forbidden us from talking to the Gentiles so that they might be saved, with the result that they [the legalistic Jews] are filling up the cup of their sins at all times [getting drunk on them over and over again]. But wrath [divine judgment] will come upon them at the end [the Great White Throne Judgment].

1 Thess. 2:17 But we, brethren [members of the royal family], although we have been separated from you for a short time [due to hostile forces in Thessalonica], physically but not mentally [we wanted to stay], we have made every effort with great enthusiasm [desire to be with them again] to see you physically all the more [in spite of the hostility].

1 Thess. 2:18 As a matter of fact, we wanted to return face-to-face to you, even I, Paul, and not just once but twice [we began our journey], but Satan prevented [detained] us.

1 Thess. 2:19 For what is our hope [seeing friends in heaven] or happiness [receiving our resurrection body] or crown of rejoicing [victory wreath: a reward for witnessing]? Is it not particularly [especially] you in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His return [at the rapture]?

1 Thess. 2:20 As for you [Thessalonian believers], you are our glory [rewards in eternity] and happiness [blessings in time].

1 Thess. 3:1 For this reason, when we could no longer endure it [wondering how things were going with you in Thessalonica], we resolved [thought it best after conferring with each other] to remain in Athens alone,

1 Thess. 3:2 But we sent Timothy [to you in Thessalonica], our brother [fellow believer] and ministering servant [member of our missionary team] of God in the gospel of Christ, for the purpose of stabilizing and encouraging you for the sake of your doctrine [you are ready to go beyond basic Bible teaching],

1 Thess. 3:3 So that no one will be disturbed [if they have attained spiritual self-esteem] by these outside pressures, for you yourselves know that we [Paul's missionary team, as well as all other believers] are appointed for this purpose [suffering is a requirement for spiritual growth].

1 Thess. 3:4 For indeed, when we were with you [in Thessalonica], we warned you repeatedly in advance that we are destined to suffer [as part of God's plan to bless us and propel our spiritual growth], just like what began to occur in the recent past [testing has officially started] and you are continuing to experience at the present time [the pressure is still on].

1 Thess. 3:5 Because of this [suffering], when I could no longer endure in silence [wondering how things were with you], I sent [Timothy] for the purpose of checking out [validating] your faith [whether you were successfully applying doctrine or not], in case by some means the one who tempts [Satan] had tempted you [caused you to reside in the cosmic system instead of the filling of the Spirit] and my labor to the point of exhaustion [teaching you doctrine] turned out to be in vain [wasted effort].

1 Thess. 3:6 But just now [as I'm writing this letter], Timothy has returned to us [in Corinth] from you [in Thessalonica] and has brought to us good news concerning your [application of] faith-rest and your virtue love, and that you continue to have a good remembrance of us always, having a desire to see us just as we [have a desire to see] you [reciprocal relationship].

1 Thess. 3:7 Because of this [favorable report on your spiritual progress] we were encouraged, brethren, by all of your necessary trouble [trials & testing] and outside pressure [suffering through difficult circumstances], our encouragement due to your application of doctrine,

1 Thess. 3:8 For now we are beginning to come back to life again [living life more enthusiastically], since you continue to stand firm in the Lord.

1 Thess. 3:9 For what thanks [sufficient gratitude] are we able to return to God concerning you, for all the inner happiness which we are pleased to possess because of you in the presence of our God,

1 Thess. 3:10 Praying exceedingly above and beyond, night and day, that we might see your face [in Thessalonica] and complete the things [advanced teachings] which are lacking with reference to your doctrinal framework?

1 Thess. 3:11 Now may God Himself, even our Father, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way [road, journey] to you.

1 Thess. 3:12 And may the Lord [Holy Spirit] cause you to grow [to super-abounding grace maturity] and abound [reach ultra-super-abounding grace status] by means of virtue love toward one another [fellow believers in Thessalonica] and toward all others [believers in other geographical locations], just as we [Paul and his missionary team] also [exercise virtue love] towards you [reciprocal relationship],

1 Thess. 3:13 To the end that He [the Holy Spirit] might complete the stabilization of the mentality of your souls [sanctification salvation] - blameless [fully sanctified] in the sphere of holiness [glorification salvation] before God [at the Judgment Seat of Christ], even our Father - before the coming [at the rapture] of our Lord Jesus with all of His saints [the dead in Christ whom He brings with Him to meet those who are alive]. Acknowledge it.

1 Thess. 4:1 For the rest then, brethren [members of the royal family], we keep on requesting and exhorting you in the sphere of the Lord Jesus [appealing to their positional status in Christ], so that just as you received from us how [the method] you ought to walk [precise protocol for the Church Age believer] and please God [by residence and function in the love complex], even as you are currently walking [they are on the right track spiritually], that you might abound all the more [grow to super-abounding grace and beyond],

1 Thess. 4:2 For you already know what instructions [mandates for living the Christian way of life] we gave to you through the Lord Jesus [divine authority].

1 Thess. 4:3 For this continues to be the will of God with reference to your experiential sanctification: You should abstain from sexual immorality,

1 Thess. 4:4 Each one of you should understand [learn how] that he is to possess [have sexual relations with] his own [not another man's] wife with dedication [fulfill her sexual desires] and honor [recognition of her sexual needs],

1 Thess. 4:5 Not with an uncontrollable urge of sexual lust [sinful rather than sanctified desire] in the same manner as unbelievers who indeed do not know God,

1 Thess. 4:6 That no man antagonizes [by flirting or making sexual advances towards another man's wife] or cheats [by committing adultery with another man's wife] his brother [fellow believer] in this matter [sins of sexual arrogance], because the Lord is the One who disciplines with reference to all of these things [sexual sins], even as we previously warned and charged you with a solemn oath [this wasn't the 1st time Paul had warned them of this category of sins and the resultant divine discipline].

1 Thess. 4:7 For God did not call us to immorality [sexual impurity], but into the sphere of holiness [sanctification].

1 Thess. 4:8 For this very reason [due to our call to sanctification rather than immorality], he who continues to reject [ignore] this warning [to avoid sexual sins], is not rejecting man [cosmic 1: arrogance complex of sins], but God [cosmic 2: hatred complex of sins], Who has given His Holy Spirit to us [divine provision for spiritual growth].

1 Thess. 4:9 Now, concerning brotherly love, you have no need for me to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to exercise virtue love towards one another of the same kind,

1 Thess. 4:10 For indeed, you are doing it [exercising basic impersonal love] toward all the brethren in the whole area of Macedonia. However, we urge you, brethren, to abound [exercise advanced impersonal love] all the more [there's always room for improvement],

1 Thess. 4:11 And that you consider it an honor [aspiration] to live a quiet life [free from turmoil and disturbances] and mind your own business [respect the privacy of others] and work with your hands [continue your career or vocation], just as I have instructed you,

1 Thess. 4:12 In order that you may walk respectably [in your workplace and community] towards those on the outside [unbelievers] and have need of nothing [financial self-support].

1 Thess. 4:13 Now, we do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren [members of the royal family of God], concerning those [fellow believers] who are dying, so that you are not distressed, even as others [unbelievers] who do not have hope [of resurrection life].

1 Thess. 4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then in the same manner [by resurrection], God will bring along with Him [at the rapture] those [believers] who have died with Jesus.

1 Thess. 4:15 For this [doctrine] we communicate to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord [the rapture generation] shall not precede those who have died,

1 Thess. 4:16 Because the Lord Himself [Jesus Christ] will descend from heaven with a shouted command, with the voice of an archangel [Michael commands the believers who are alive on earth to receive their resurrection bodies] and with the trumpet of God [God the Father gives those believers who are already dead their resurrection bodies], and the dead in Christ will rise first [to meet the Lord in the air at the rapture],

1 Thess. 4:17 Then we who are living [the rapture generation] and who remain [on Earth] shall be caught up [transported] together [at the same time] with them [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to a meeting [royal reception] of the Lord in the air [lower atmosphere], and in this manner [in resurrection bodies] we shall always be together with the Lord [ultimate sanctification throughout eternity].

1 Thess. 4:18 Therefore keep on encouraging each other with these doctrines [concerning our resurrection bodies and the rapture].

1 Thess. 5:1 But concerning the extended periods of time [times of the Gentiles] and the appointed seasons [Tribulation & Millennium], brethren [members of the royal family], you do not have the need for me to write to you [you already understand the order of divine dispensations],

1 Thess. 5:2 For you yourselves know with accuracy that the Day of the Lord [Tribulation & Millennium] will come in the same manner as a thief in the night [suddenly and without warning after the rapture].

1 Thess. 5:3 When they [the international community] say, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come upon them [peace efforts without God always fail] like the birth-pains which occur at closer and closer intervals to a pregnant woman in labor. Moreover, they [those living during the Tribulation] will not by any means escape.

1 Thess. 5:4 But you, brethren [members of the royal family], are not in the sphere of darkness [seed of the serpent], that this day [the Tribulation] might overtake you like a thief,

1 Thess. 5:5 Because all of you are sons of light [related to Jesus Christ] and sons of the day [part of the Church Age dispensation]. We [Church Age believers] are not of the night [the Tribulation] nor of the darkness [related to Satan].

1 Thess. 5:6 Therefore, let us not sleep [spiritual carelessness] as others [in Thessalonica], but let us be alert [spiritual alertness] and let us be self-controlled [stabilized mentally and emotionally].

1 Thess. 5:7 For those who are asleep [ignorant of eschatology], sleep up to the point of night [continue to be clueless right up to the rapture], and those who are drunk [intoxicated by Satan's system], drink up to the point of night [unprepared for the Lord's return].

1 Thess. 5:8 But let us who are of the day [Church Age dispensation] be habitually stabilized [mentally and emotionally], putting on the breastplate of doctrine and virtue love, and for a helmet, the confidence of deliverance [from the Tribulation],

1 Thess. 5:9 Because God did not appoint us [Church Age believers] to wrath [in the Tribulation], but to obtain deliverance [at the rapture] through our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Thess. 5:10 Who died for us [believers] so that as a result, whether we are awake [spiritually vigilant before the rapture] or asleep [spiritually indifferent before the rapture], we will live together with Him [as members of the royal family in heaven rather than going through the Tribulation].

1 Thess. 5:11 Therefore, keep on encouraging [by means of eschatology] one another of the same kind [fellow believers] and continue to build up [strengthen by means of Bible doctrine] one [pastor or teacher] to another [member of the congregation], just as you are indeed doing.

1 Thess. 5:12 Moreover, we urge you, brethren [members of the royal family], to fully appreciate those [pastors & teachers] who diligently labor to the point of exhaustion [studying] among you, and who periodically exercise authority [leadership that cares] over you in the Lord [legitimate delegated authority] and who teach you on a regular basis [continual doctrinal instruction],

1 Thess. 5:13 And to appreciate them [pastors & teachers] very highly in virtue love [love complex] because of their work [not their personality]. Live in peace with one another.

1 Thess. 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren [pastors of the local churches]: Keep on warning the rebellious ones [those who are reject Bible doctrine]; keep on encouraging the emotionally discouraged ones [those who are hysterical or otherwise out-of-balance]; keep on supporting the weak ones [new believers, babes in Christ]; keep on being patient with everyone [exercising impersonal love & faith rest].

1 Thess. 5:15 See to it that no one returns [retaliation] evil for evil [revenge motivation] to anyone, but make it a practice to pursue good towards each other [believers in your assembly] and all others [primarily believers in other assemblies and secondarily unbelievers].

1 Thess. 5:16 Always maintain inner happiness.

1 Thess. 5:17 Make it a habit to pray on a regular basis.

1 Thess. 5:18 In everything [situations in life] give thanks [gratitude], because this [being happy, praying and giving thanks] is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thess. 5:19 Stop quenching the Spirit [with cosmic II involvement].

1 Thess. 5:20 Stop treating prophesies [such as the rapture, tribulation, 2nd advent, millennium] with contempt.

1 Thess. 5:21 Test for the purpose of approval [by the absolute standard of the Word of God] all things [the philosophical and psychological content provided by various communication mediums]; hold fast to [keep as a prized possession] the good [things which agree with Bible doctrine].

1 Thess. 5:22 Keep yourself free from every form of evil [avoid any type of activity in Satan's cosmic system].

1 Thess. 5:23 Now, may the God of peace Himself sanctify [ultimate sanctification] every part of you [the totality of your being].  As a matter of fact, may your spirit and soul and body be blamelessly maintained [experiential sanctification] until the coming [rapture] of our Lord Jesus Christ [when ultimate sanctification will occur].

1 Thess. 5:24 Faithful is He [God the Father] who called you [through positional sanctification into experiential sanctification], Who will also accomplish it [guaranteed ultimate sanctification].

1 Thess. 5:25 Brethren [members of the royal family], keep on praying for us [Paul's missionary team] also.

1 Thess. 5:26 Greet all the brethren [fellow believers] with a sanctified [respectful] kiss [shake hands].

1 Thess. 5:27 I solemnly charge you [pastors & teachers] by the authority of the Lord that you make this letter known publicly [read or teach its contents in detail] to all the brethren.

1 Thess. 5:28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.         

2 Thess. 1:1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church [royal family] of the Thessalonians [which is] in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ [positional truth].

2 Thess. 1:2 Grace to you and prosperity from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thess. 1:3 We [Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy] are obligated [as super-abounding grace believers] to repeatedly thank [express gratitude] God concerning you, brethren [members of the royal family], whenever the occasion is fitting and proper, because your doctrine [familiarization, mental saturation, and application of the truth] is growing abundantly and your virtue love is increasing beyond measure [super-abundantly], each one of you all towards another of the same kind [fellow believers].

2 Thess. 1:4 So that as a result we ourselves [Paul's missionary team] boast about you [your spiritual momentum] in the assemblies of God [outside the geographical area of Thessalonica] concerning your longsuffering [patient endurance] and doctrinal application [utilization of other spiritual problem-solving devices] during all kinds of personal persecutions [outside pressures in life] and tribulations [sufferings] which you [personally, individually] are patiently enduring [suffering for blessing],

2 Thess. 1:5 Which [sufferings] is evidence of the righteous [accurate] evaluation of God [which determines blessings in time and for eternity], so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom [royal power] of God [super-abounding grace status], on behalf of which you are also suffering [to determine your variable status in the kingdom of God, the Millennium and eternity future],

2 Thess. 1:6 Since it is just in the judgment of God [divine policy] to return affliction [distress & suffering] to those [reversionists & unbelievers] who put pressure on [trouble, antagonize] you.

2 Thess. 1:7 And to you [positive believers] who are receiving unjust pressure [distress & persecution], be relaxed with us [Paul, Silvanus & Timothy] in the future revelation [at the 2nd Advent] of the Lord Jesus from heaven accompanied by His mighty angels [anticipating the strategic victory in the angelic conflict],

2 Thess. 1:8 In the sphere of a flaming fire [baptism of fire: burning of the tares], inflicting punishment [eternal] upon those [unbelievers] who did not know God in the past with the result that they continued not to know at that time, i.e., who did not accept the gospel of our Lord Jesus,

2 Thess. 1:9 Who will suffer punishment, eternal [perpetual] agony away from the face of the Lord [outer darkness] and away from the glory [shared happiness] of His inner power,

2 Thess. 1:10 When He shall return to be glorified [honored] by His saints [during the millennium] and to be admired by all those who believed in that day [during the tribulation]. Because our testimony was believed by you [Thessalonian believers],

2 Thess. 1:11 For that reason [out of responsibility for your spiritual welfare] we also continue to pray on every occasion concerning you, that our God may consider you worthy [due to the doctrine in your soul] of your calling [positional truth: election] and might fill up your deficiency [experiential truth] with every beneficial thing [categorical doctrines that you need to advance to the next stage of the spiritual life], generously and doctrinally produced in the sphere of [divine] power,

2 Thess. 1:12 In order that the character [nature, person] of our Lord Jesus might be glorified in you [by your super-abounding grace status], and you in it [residence and function inside the sphere of divine power], according to the grace [norms, standards and mechanics] of our God, even the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thess. 2:1 Now, I am urgently requesting you, brethren [members of the royal family], concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ [at the rapture] and our assembling [gathered together in the air] around Him,

2 Thess. 2:2 That you stop being so quickly agitated [hypersensitive due to reactor factors] from the source of your thinking [wrong understanding] nor be alarmed [emotionally upset], neither by [demonic] spirit nor by [false] doctrine nor by [forged] letter alleged to be from us, on the pretext that the Day of the Lord [emphasis on the tribulation] has arrived and is in progress at this very moment.

2 Thess. 2:3 Do not allow anyone to deceive you, not under any circumstances [demon spirits, false doctrine, forged letter, etc.], because [the Day of the Lord will not come] not until the rebellion has come first [general apostasy of the church] and the man of lawlessness [personification of wickedness: the Antichrist], the son of perdition [indwelled by Satan, destined for hell], has finally been revealed,

2 Thess. 2:4 Who opposes [as an enemy] and exalts himself [with presumptuous pride] above everything declared and maintained according to God [divine viewpoint], with the result that he displays [exhibits] himself as an object of worship in the [Tribulation] temple of God, proclaiming that he himself is God [presents himself as the Messiah].

2 Thess. 2:5 Don't you remember that when I was still face-to-face with you, I taught you these things [eschatological doctrines]?

2 Thess. 2:6 Therefore, now you should know beyond a shadow of a doubt [due to the repetitive nature of Paul's teaching] the reason why it [the rapture] is continuing to hold back: so that he [the Antichrist] might be revealed in his own appointed time [at the close of the Church Age].

2 Thess. 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness [intensification of rebellion and iniquity at the end of the Church Age] is already operating [working powerfully in this dispensation]. He alone [the Holy Spirit] is restraining [lawlessness] at the present time and will continue to restrain [lawlessness] until He removes Himself from the midst [of the world].

2 Thess. 2:8 And at that time [after the rapture and the removal of the Holy Spirit], the lawless one [the Antichrist] shall be revealed, who the Lord Jesus shall consume [put to death] by the breath [Word] of His mouth and shall destroy [dethrone his powers of evil and lawlessness] by the sudden appearance of His coming [at the 2nd advent],

2 Thess. 2:9 Whose coming [appearance of the Antichrist on earth] is according to the operating power of Satan in the sphere of every type of supernatural miracle [occult] and demonic signs [significance] and counterfeit wonders [events],       

2 Thess. 2:10 And in the sphere of every kind of wicked deception [spiritual delusion] towards those [tribulation saints] who are destroying themselves [ruining their spiritual life after justification], against those who did not welcome the love of the truth [Bible doctrine] with the result that they might be spiritually delivered [sanctification-salvation].

2 Thess. 2:11 And because of this [rejection of doctrine], God will send them a powerful delusion with the result that they will believe his [the Antichrist's] lie [false teaching],

2 Thess. 2:12 In order that everyone is judged who did not believe the truth [Bible doctrine] but instead took delight in wickedness.

2 Thess. 2:13 But as for us [Paul, Silvanus and Timothy], we are obligated to continually thank God always concerning you, brethren [Church Age believers] who are loved by the Lord, because God chose [election] you [Thessalonian believers] as firstfruits [first generation of Church Age believers] for the purpose of salvation [to teach later generations of Church Age believers experiential truth] by means of the sanctification [indwelling and filling] of the Spirit and faithfulness toward the truth [Bible doctrine],

2 Thess. 2:14 Into which [sanctification-salvation by the filling of the Spirit and faithfulness to the truth] He called you [by divine election] through our [the apostle's] good news [gospel preaching], with reference to the possession [obtaining] of the glory [resurrection life] of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thess. 2:15 Consequently [since they are not living in the tribulation], therefore [they need to change the protocol they are living by], brethren [reminding them they are Church Age believers], stand fast under pressure and hold fast to the categories of doctrine [discipline and teaching] which you were taught either by word [orally] or by our letter [non-face-to-face writing].

2 Thess. 2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us eternal encouragement and perfect confidence in the sphere of grace [kindness and mercy],

2 Thess. 2:17 Comfort the mentality of your souls and stabilize them in the sphere of all spiritual production [ambassadorship function] and beneficial doctrine [priestly function].

2 Thess. 3:1 Finally, brethren [members of the royal family], keep on praying for us [Paul, Silvanus & Timothy], so that the Word of the Lord [Bible doctrine] might continue to make progress [enable the communicators to charge forward into the spiritual battle] and keep on being glorified [honored in the hearer's spiritual life] even as it has with you,

2 Thess. 3:2 And that we may be delivered from dangerous [reversionistic believers] and evil [wicked unbelievers] men, since doctrine is not correctly understood or applied by everyone.

2 Thess. 3:3 But the Lord is faithful [dependable], Who shall stabilize and protect you [through Bible doctrine] from the evil one [Satan].

2 Thess. 3:4 Moreover, we have confidence in the Lord regarding you, that you will both do and continue to do that [application of Bible doctrine] which we have repeatedly instructed [strict orders for living the spiritual life].

2 Thess. 3:5 And may the Lord [Holy Spirit] direct [guide into correct application] the mentality of your souls into the virtue love of God [the Father] and into the patient endurance of Christ [two important problem-solving devices].

2 Thess. 3:6 Now, we command you, brethren [members of the royal family], in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ [appealing to divine authority], that you withdraw yourself [separate mentally or physically] from every brother [Christian] who makes it a habit to walk idly and unruly [reversionism] and not according to the systematic theology [doctrinal teachings] which you received from us.

2 Thess. 3:7 For you yourselves know how advantageous it is to follow our example, because we did not behave inappropriately among you [abusing our authority by taking your hard-earned money],

2 Thess. 3:8 Neither did we eat anyone's bread without paying [we weren't moochers], but instead we worked in weariness and hardship night and day, so that we would not be a burden on any of you [weigh you down financially],

2 Thess. 3:9 Not because we don't have the authority [we have the right to collect a grace offering for our work], but so that we might give ourselves to you as an example [pattern] for you to follow [imitate].

2 Thess. 3:10 For even when we were with you face-to-face, we gave strict orders to you, that if anyone [believer] did not want to work for a living [refused to obtain and hold down a job], let him not even eat [maybe starvation will encourage him to get a job].

2 Thess. 3:11 For we hear now and then that some [fellow believers] are walking among you in a lazy and unruly manner, not working for a living [thumbing their nose at customary life], but are busy at doing nothing [sponging off others and interfering with their business].

2 Thess. 3:12 Now to those who are of this type [lazy and unruly believers], we give strict orders as well as encouragement in the Lord Jesus Christ [authority orientation], that they work for a living with quietness [resume their disciplined, routine life in virtue love], with the result that they are eating their own bread [no longer a burden on family and friends].

2 Thess. 3:13 But, as for you, brethren [hard-working, charitable believers], do not become discouraged by doing what is honorable in life [work is your full-time Christian service and potential mission field].

2 Thess. 3:14 Moreover, if anyone does not obey our doctrine [rejects apostolic authority] through this letter [which eventually becomes part of the canon of Scripture], take special note of [mark as a troublemaker] and do not associate [socialize] with him, in order that he might become ashamed [change his direction in life].

2 Thess. 3:15 However, do not consider him [the lazy and unruly believer] as an enemy, but admonish him [with doctrinal rationales] as a brother [fellow Christian].

2 Thess. 3:16 Now, may the Lord of peace [tranquility] Himself give you that peace through all [doctrine] in every circumstance. May the Lord be with you all.

2 Thess. 3:17 This greeting is by my hand, Paul, which is my official signature on every letter [compare it to the forged signatures you have seen]. I am in the habit of writing in this manner [dictating the rest to an amanuensis].         

2 Thess. 3:18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.          

Titus 1:1 Paul, a slave of God [obedience and service], and an apostle of Jesus Christ [highest delegated spiritual authority] for the sake of God's elect with special relation to doctrine [as its protector and communicant], especially the full knowledge of the truth [doctrine in the human spirit] according to the standard of godliness [filling of the Spirit],

Titus 1:2 On the basis of confidence with reference to eternal life [eternal security], which the trustworthy God [veracity] promised before times eternal [eternity past],

Titus 1:3 And has revealed during His own appointed times [dispensations] His Word [Bible doctrine] through the instrumentality of preaching, which [as an apostle] I myself was entrusted according to the authority [divine command] of God, our Savior.

Titus 1:4 To Titus, a reliable student according to the standard of common doctrine: Grace and prosperity from the ultimate source of God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Titus 1:5 Because of this grace, I left you behind in Crete, so that you might correct [by daily Bible class] the things which are deficient [in their spiritual life] and appoint command-overseers [presbuteros: pastors, teachers] according to city, as I myself gave you orders,

Titus 1:6 If anyone [prospective man with the gift of pastor or teacher] is above reproach, a one-woman man [no philandering], having trustworthy children, not under the influence or accusation of riotous living [dissipation] or disobedient and rebellious.

Titus 1:7 For it is necessary that a guardian-overseer [episcopos: bishop] be above reproach as God's administrative manager, not arrogant, not quick-tempered, not a drunk, not a bully, not avaricious,

Titus 1:8 But rather hospitable [grace-oriented toward strangers], a lover of divine good, self-controlled [mentally stable], fair and equitable, devout, disciplined,

Titus 1:9 Constantly clinging to the dependable Word according to the norms and standards of instruction [consistent, daily familiarization, mental saturation and application of the Truth], so that he might be able by means of doctrinal teaching which is sound to keep on exhorting and reproving those [false teachers] who are in verbal opposition.

Titus 1:10 For there are many [false Christian teachers in Crete] who are insubordinate [in revolt against doctrine and overseers], empty talkers [speaking psychological nonsense] and mind deceivers [disoriented to the plan of God], particularly those of the circumcision [Jewish contingent],

Titus 1:11 Whom it is necessary to silence [curb the rebellion], who are of such a character as to disrupt entire families [home groups], teaching things [heresies] which should never be for the sake of dishonest profit [fleecing the sheep],

Titus 1:12 A certain one of them [Epimenides], their very own prophet [poet], said [in a hymn written to Zeus]: Cretans are incessant [pathological] liars, evil beasts [predators], useless [unemployed] gluttons.

Titus 1:13 This testimony [about the Cretans] is true. Because of this accusation [national problem], keep on rebuking them severely, so that they might become sound in doctrine,

Titus 1:14 Not paying attention to Jewish fables [myths] nor the commandments of men [legalists] who are in the process of turning themselves away from the truth [reverse process reversionism].

Titus 1:15 All things [every creature of God is available for consumption as food] are pure [ceremonially clean] to the pure [free from mental attitude sins]. But to those who are defiled [mental attitude sins as excrement in the soul] and faithless [reject Bible doctrine], nothing is pure. Instead, both their mind and conscience are defiled [immersed in excrement].

Titus 1:16 They repeatedly claim to know God [experientially], but their production [dead works] contradicts them [disproves their claim], because they are [on the inside] detestable [full of mental attitude sins] and disobedient [negative towards doctrine and overseers], and [on the outside] with regard to every type and category of good [divine] production, worthless [disqualified: no rewards].

Titus 2:1 But you [Titus], keep on communicating those things which are clearly seen as sound doctrine.

Titus 2:2 Older men should be self-disciplined, dignified, mentally stable, doctrinally sound, relaxed, patient,

Titus 2:3 Likewise, older women should be honorable in behavior [without wide emotional swings], not slanderers, not enslaved to large quantities of alcohol [because of their frustrations and disappointments in life], teaching honorable things [to the younger women],

Titus 2:4 So that they [older women who are spiritually mature] may encourage the younger women to be affectionate towards their husbands, having affection towards their children,

Titus 2:5 Self-controlled, chaste [not adulterous], home lovers, kind, obedient to their own husband, so that the Word of God is never maligned [ridiculed by others due to the cosmic behavior of the wife].

Titus 2:6 Likewise, young men should be encouraged to maintain self-control [a sound, serious mind].

Titus 2:7 With respect to all situations, show yourself to be an example of honorable production [filled with the Spirit] by means of doctrine, incorruptible [character], dignified [sober & reflective],

Titus 2:8 Sound speech [accurate], above reproach [nothing that can impugn your character], so that those [in subjectivity] from the opposition may be ashamed [turn around and have renewed respect], having nothing underhanded [politically evil] to say about us.

Titus 2:9 Slaves, be obedient to your own masters in everything [authority orientation], serving in an acceptable manner, not speaking against them,

Titus 2:10 Not pilfering, but demonstrating the utmost in good fidelity [trustworthiness], so that the teaching of God our Savior is made attractive in all situations.

Titus 2:11 For the educative [delivering, training] grace of God [experiential, practical outworking] has been manifested to all kinds of men,

Titus 2:12 Teaching us [educative grace], so that by repudiating ungodliness [legalism or any system of religiosity by works] and worldly lusts [gates of the cosmic system], we should live [function] with stability of mind [doctrine in the soul] and righteously [divine good produced from doctrine in the soul] and in a godly manner [filled with the Spirit] in the current age [Church Age dispensation],

Titus 2:13 Waiting with anticipation for the happy [blessed] expectation, even the magnificent appearance [at the rapture] of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Titus 2:14 Who gave Himself as a substitute for us so that He might set us [believers only] free [experiential redemption] from every category of lawlessness [gates of the cosmic system] and cleanse us unto Himself a special [treasured] people, enthusiastic for honorable production [the familiarization, mental saturation and application of Bible doctrine].

Titus 2:15 Keep on communicating [proclaiming to those in fellowship] and admonishing [imploring those who are grieving the Spirit in the arrogance complex of sins] and rebuking [those who are quenching the Spirit in the hatred complex of sins] these things [all the doctrines in this letter] with full authority. Let no one [in your congregation] look down on you [reject your legitimate authority].

Titus 3:1 Keep on reminding them [Cretan Christians] to be under subjection to designated officials, to obey those in authority, to be prepared [by inculcating doctrine] for every kind of honorable [divine] production [good works],

Titus 3:2 To slander no one, to be non-contentious, tolerant, demonstrating [from doctrine resident on the inside] abundant grace orientation face-to-face with all types of men.

Titus 3:3 For once upon a time, we ourselves were also foolish [lacking doctrine in the soul], disobedient [lacking authority orientation], continually led astray [deceived by locked-in cosmic ignorance], enslaved to various kinds of lusts and pleasures [sins of the flesh], constantly spending our lives in the sphere of malice and envy [arrogance complex of sins], hateful [hatred complex of sins], detesting others of the same kind [fellow believers].

Titus 3:4 But when the generosity and benevolence of God our Savior appeared [at the incarnation of Christ],

Titus 3:5 Not out from the source of works by means of righteousness [human good] which we have done, but according to the standard of His mercy [divine good] He saved us, through the spiritual cleansing [from sin], regeneration [new birth], and the renewal [new species] of the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:6 Whom He [the Father] poured out upon us abundantly [baptism of the Spirit] through Jesus Christ our Savior,

Titus 3:7 In order that having been justified by means of His grace, we should become heirs according to the norm and standard of confidence with reference to eternal life.

Titus 3:8 Trustworthy is the Word [Bible doctrine], and concerning these things [doctrinal principles], I want you [Titus] to keep on communicating with dogmatic insistence, so that those who have believed God [Christians only] might be intent [due diligence] to continually engage in honorable [divine] production. These things [doctrinal principles and divine production] are honorable and beneficial to men.

Titus 3:9 But make it a habit to avoid and shun stupid discussions [controversies] and family pedigrees and contentions and legal battles [disputes], for they are useless and foolish [leading to scar tissue of the soul].

Titus 3:10 After one or two warnings, reject [dismiss] a schismatic man [heretic],

Titus 3:11 Understanding [from the application of doctrine] that such a person as this has become subverted [turned aside from true doctrine] and is constantly sinning [perpetual carnality], with the result that he is self-condemned [by his rejection of true Bible doctrine].

Titus 3:12 After I send Artemus [pastor of Lystra] or Tychicus [another capable replacement] to you, make every effort to come face-to-face to me at Nicopolis, for I am determined to spend the winter there.

Titus 3:13 Escort with great haste Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on this journey, so that nothing is lacking for them.

Titus 3:14 And also, let ours [Cretan believers] learn by engaging in honorable [divine] production in response to necessary situations, so that they are not unfruitful [in their evangelistic ministry].

Titus 3:15 All those who are with me salute you. Salute those who care about me in the sphere of doctrine. Grace be with you all.