(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV]) Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I
command you.
(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV]) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
All of the studies, book or topical, found here, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history, archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, lexicons, concordances or commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, but they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief. We do not need them. That Word of God written and preserved for us in our own language is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and the New Testament for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc. There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:
(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!
1 Thessalonians Chapter 3:
(1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 [AKJV/PCE])
Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; 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:
Fellowship, discipleship, doctrines to get one strong to face persecution and stand in the faith
This is the establishment we all need. they needed and discipleship offers, a Rock to stand on when the floods of persecution come
One good type of comfort is from someone who understand what you are going through by having gone through it, who is still going through it with you
(1 Thessalonians 3:3 [AKJV/PCE])
That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
Paul had told them to expect the persecution they no doubt had heard of before he came, certainly were then feeling after getting saved
Jesus also warned of this
(John 15:18-21 [AKJV/PCE])
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
(1 Thessalonians 3:4 [AKJV/PCE])
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.
They were warned, now it is happening, now they know what Paul, Timothy and Silvanus meant
(1 Thessalonians 3:5 [AKJV/PCE])
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.
Trying to prevent those under attack from walking away was then and is today a ministry, as then, because there are two things that can happen: A person can go away from the LORD or, a person can grow closer, stronger
(1 Thessalonians 3:6 [AKJV/PCE])
But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
The disciples did their job and the Thessalonians responded by maturing into faithful followers walking with the LORD
This does not always happen, but we are only responsible for our labor, not their response, because we can only control what we do
Trusting God and giving; they go together
(1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 [AKJV/PCE])
Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
Persecution, affliction and distress (S.O.S.) brings pain; good news eases pain
Seeing faith in action does even more to lift one's spirits
One has purpose personified when they see others grow in the LORD who they discipled
(1 Thessalonians 3:9-10 [AKJV/PCE])
For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Joy overflowing, for eternal life, for salvation, for the maturity of others, unity of the faith, fellowship, cannot be repaid to God, ever
Just eternal life alone can never be repaid, as we could never repay, could never save ourslves, in our flesh everearn salvation
(1 Thessalonians 3:11 [AKJV/PCE])
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
The Trinity, God Himself as in God the Spirit, God the Father, God the Son
Direct us, guide us, lead us, be with us, never forsake us, bring Paul back to Thessalonika
(1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 [AKJV/PCE])
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: 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.
Again, the Trinity of "before God (Spirit), even our Father (God), LORD Jesus Christ (God the Son)
One's heart is filled with guilt whenever they fail to do God's Will, as in loving one another, so that heart is not established, grounded in the LORD, in the God Who is Love
Once established, we are unblameable, wwe can sleep knowing we did good, right before God
(Proverbs 3:5-6 [KJV])
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Acts 24:16
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
