“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed…” (2 Thessalonians 1:9–10 ESV). Paul wrote to the weary Thessalonian believers
“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him” (1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 ESV). Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica to comfort and encourage them concerning the coming “Day of
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 ESV). The prophet Jeremiah delivered this sobering truth to Judah during the last days before Babylon’s invasion. The people of Judah had turned from trusting in the Lord to trusting in false prophets and manmade idols. But Jeremiah exposed
“And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV). Paul wrote this letter
“But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV). Paul reminded the Thessalonian believers that his ministry among them was marked by sincerity and divine approval, not human ambition. Having
“And say to Archippus, ‘See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord’” (Colossians 4:17 ESV). Paul concluded his letter to the Colossians with a personal exhortation to a man named Archippus. Although his name means “master of horses,” suggesting strength and leadership, Archippus still needed encouragement to remain faithful. He
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16 ESV). Paul wrote this letter to the believers in Colossae to affirm the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ and to protect them
“Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.”’” (Jeremiah 6:16 ESV). Jeremiah spoke these words to Judah in the late seventh century B.C.,
“For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace’” (Jeremiah 6:13–14 ESV). Jeremiah spoke during the final decades before Jerusalem’s fall to Babylon. The
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15 ESV). In the opening chapter of Colossians, Paul breaks into a majestic hymn exalting Christ (Col. 1:15–20). Writing from prison, he wanted the believers at Colossae—who were being tempted by false teachings that diminished Christ—to fix their eyes on His