The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 263

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THE THESSALONIAN LETTERS 257 pleasing men, but God, wliicli trietli our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness ; God is witness: nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so being affectionately desirous of you, we were .willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.'^ *^Ye are witnesses, and God also," the apostle continued, "how holily and justly and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: as ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto His kingdom and glory. "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. "What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing I Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ . at His coming? For ye are our glory and joy." In his first epistle to the Thessalonian believers, Paul endeavored to instruct them regarding the true state of the dead. He spoke of those who die as being asleep — in a state of unconsciousness: "I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we