1Thes5:12-24, Living at Peace

# Living at Peace 彼此和睦
## 1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:12-24

[Jake Givens](https://unsplash.com/photos/ocwmWiNAWGs "caption")

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# What can I **do** to find **peace**? 
我要怎麼做才能彼此和睦， 也得著心裡的平安？

>>>
+ with **others**, in **own** heart, with **God**
+ not **absence** of open conflict
+ not **dissociation** from responsib
+ not elusive, transcend. **state** of being
+ is there anything I can **do**?

---

## Growing Together, While Apart 當分開時一起成長

| *1* | Impact of **Faith** | 信心的影響 |
|---|---|---|
| *2a,b* | Toil of **Love** | 愛心的勞苦 |
| *3* | Acc. with **Hope** | 充滿希望的負責 |
| *4* | Purity + **Love** | 在聖潔和愛中成長 |
| *5a* | **Hope** of Salvation | 救贖的盼望 |
| *5b* | Acts of **Faith** | 信心的行為 |

>>>
+ Theme of 1Thes: encour. in **FHL**
+ 1st half: Thes' **rl** w/Paul 
  + and **response** to gospel
+ 2nd half: addr specific **Qs** / issues
+ final section: practical **instr**

---

## Living at Peace 彼此和睦
1. **Love** for One Another [(12-16)](# "ref") 有愛心對彼此
1. **Joy** in the Lord [(17-22)](# "ref") 有喜樂在主裡
1. **Holiness** Until His Return [(22-24)](# "ref") 要聖潔直到 主再來

>>>
+ we like these, **straightforward**
+ not narrative, poetry, names/dates
  + far-off promises, theory/theology
+ "just tell me what to **do**!"

---

Be at **peace** among yourselves.

你們也要彼此和睦。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:13b (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Paweł Czerwiński](https://unsplash.com/photos/U5Bl72Brlhs "caption")

>>>
+ one **verb**: "be at peace", "be peaceful"
+ "**in** yourselves" (within, amongst)
+ not **state** of being we **fall** into
  + not env s.o. else **creates** for us
+ but **action**, imperative: what we do
  + as **people** of peace
  + to **live** at peace

---
## 1. Peace Toward One Another 彼此和睦

+ A. **Leaders** in Christ 主裡的領袖們
+ B. **Weak** and Fainthearted 軟弱和膽怯的弟兄
+ C. Those who **Wrong** Us 冤枉我們的人

>>>
+ toward 3 groups in particular:

---

We ask you, brothers, to respect 
those who **labor** among you 
and are **over** you in the Lord 
and **admonish** you,

弟兄們，我們勸你們敬重 
那在你們中間勞苦的人， 
就是在主裡面治理你們、 
勸戒你們的。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:12 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Cassidy Kelley. Cleveland, US](https://unsplash.com/photos/p90szoOBYgk "caption")

>>>
(v12-13, p.1/2)

---

and to esteem them very highly 
in **love** because of their work.

又因他們所做的工， 
用愛心格外尊重他們。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:13a (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ not just **pastors** / preachers:
+ (1) "labor": **toil**, hard work (2:9)
+ (2) "over": not **above**, but stand **before**
  + **lead**, take on **responsib.**
  + go before: set example in Christ
+ (3) "admonish": 
  + appeal to **reason**, teach
+ "deem them aboundingly in **love**"
  + not that they're **infalliable**
+ but see your **progress** in faith
  + as worth **labouring** for

---

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the **idle**, 
encourage the **fainthearted**, help the **weak**, 
be **patient** with them all.

我們又勸弟兄們，要警戒不守規矩的人， 
勉勵灰心的人，扶助軟弱的人， 
也要向眾人忍耐。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:14 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Nancy, France. Rémi Walle](https://unsplash.com/photos/UOwvwZ9Dy6w "caption")

>>>
+ "idle": not **arranged** properly
  + disobedient **soldier**, unruly
+ "faint": little **soul** / life
  + **heart's** just not into it
+ "**weak**": ill, frail
+ "admon." (cf v12): 
  + appeal to **reason**, not coerce
+ "encourage": **comfort** / gentleness
  + not **annoyed**, impatient
+ "help": **hold** fast to, stick with
  + e.g., **nurse** to severely ill patient

---

See that no one **repays** anyone evil for evil, 
but always **seek** to do good 
to one another and to everyone.

你們要謹慎，無論是誰都不可以惡報惡；
或是彼此相待，或是待眾人，
常要追求良善。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:15 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Luis Quintero](https://unsplash.com/photos/ibWxfQOePt4 "caption")

>>>
+ when **wronged**, we feel not **fair**: 
  + Do I have **right** to repay?
+ Let them know how it **feels**
  + lest they think selves **right**
+ **justified**, legit excuse to fight
  + e.g., worry out of **practise** arguing
+ If **free** to choose, what do I **seek**? 
  + pursue, chase
+ How often we've **wronged** God -- but
  + does He find **excuse** to punish?
+ He would be **just** to do so, but
  + Inclines to show **mercy**

---

# Who has **led** me in the Lord, or been **weak**, or **wronged** me? 誰曾在 主裏引導我， 誰曾經軟弱，誰曾經冤枉我？

>>>
+ will I **seek** them out, to
+ **ack** those who've toiled 
  + for my progress in Christ
+ **comfort** + hold fast to the weak
+ pursue doing **good** to all

---

## Living at Peace 彼此和睦
1. Love for One Another [(12-16)](# "ref") 有愛心對彼此
1. **Joy in the Lord** [(17-22)](# "ref") **有喜樂在主裡**
1. Holiness Until His Return [(22-24)](# "ref") 要聖潔直到 主再來

>>>
+ being at peace w/ **God**
+ not by **checklist** of things to do
+ but our **relationship** w/Him:
  + staying **close** to His heart
  + turning our **attention** to Him
  + finding our **joy** in Him alone

---

**Rejoice** always, **pray** without ceasing, 
give **thanks** in all circumstances; 
for this is the will of God 
in Christ Jesus for you.

要常常喜樂， 不住的禱告， 凡事謝恩； 
因為這是神在基督耶穌裡 
向你們所定的旨意。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-18 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Laguna de Icalma, Chile. Jorge Barahona](https://unsplash.com/photos/8GVGrjx82oo "caption")

>>>
+ how to stay **joyful** w/so much **evil**?
  + **wars** in Ukraine, Gaza
  + **injustice** + inequity *(theodicy)*
+ joy bc "at least didn't happen to **me**"?
+ No: joy in **person** of Christ: glory, holy
  + God who **sees**, coming w/ **justice**
+ "pray": directed to His **goodness**
  + "thanks": goodness of **grace**
+ And we are not **alone** in our joy!
  + Rejoice see HS's **work** in believers:

---

For now we **live**, 
if you are **standing** fast in the Lord.

你們若靠主站立得穩， 
我們就活了。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 3:8 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Mittagberg, Germany. Tobias Mrzyk](https://unsplash.com/photos/iuqmGmst5Po "caption")

>>>
(v8-9, p.1/2)

---

For what **thanksgiving** can we return to God 
for you, for all the **joy** that we feel 
for your sake before our God?

我們在神面前，因著你們甚是喜樂， 
為這一切喜樂， 
可用何等的感謝為你們報答神呢？

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 3:9 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ joy is **blessing** from God
  + privil to particip in God's work
  + see faith **strengthened** amid trial
+ result is **thanksgiving** to God
+ Has God left us w/o **guidance**? No

---

Do not quench the **Spirit**. 
Do not despise **prophecies**, 
but **test** everything; **hold fast** what is good. 
**Abstain** from every form of evil.

不要銷滅聖靈的感動；
不要藐視先知的講論。
但要凡事察驗，善美的要持守，
各樣的惡事要禁戒不做。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:19-22 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Sören Sandbothe](https://unsplash.com/photos/lQ1uirYz8qI "caption")

>>>
+ HS fans our spirits **aflame**: 
  + desire, courage
+ prophecy: **Word** of God: when Bible's 
  + admonition is **uncomfort**,
+ don't **look away**, deem unimport
  + **rationalise** or excuse
+ "test": examine to know if **true**
  + not all **claimed** proph is proph
  + but not **afraid** of proph/HS/charis
+ Know **Word** of God: discern what to
  + **hold closely** vs **hold away from**

---

# How can I **rejoice** in every situation? 我要如何 在任何情況中都喜樂？

>>>
+ depends on what **others** do?
  + depends on achieving my **goals**?
+ In **tune** w/HS?  stirring a **flame** in me
  + Have I **ignored** / put off?
+ to repent, forgive, reconcile, intercede

---

## Living at Peace 彼此和睦
1. Love for One Another [(12-16)](# "ref") 有愛心對彼此
1. Joy in the Lord [(17-22)](# "ref") 有喜樂在主裡
1. **Holiness Until His Return** [(22-24)](# "ref") **要聖潔直到主再來**

>>>
+ as our source of **joy** is God himself
+ so also our **peace** is Christ himself

---

Now may the God of peace himself 
**sanctify** you completely,

願賜平安的神親自使你們全然成聖！

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:23a (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/o--lefJNe0w "caption")

>>>
(v23-24, p.1/3)

---

and may your whole spirit and soul and body 
be **kept blameless** at the coming 
of our Lord Jesus Christ.

又願你們的靈與魂與身子得蒙保守，
在我主耶穌基督降臨的時候，
完全無可指摘！

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:23b (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")

>>>
(v23-24, p.2/3)

---

He who calls you is **faithful**; 
he will surely do it.

那召你們的本是信實的，
他必成就這事。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:24 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ "May the God of peace": optative mood:
  + earnest **wish** / desire for God
+ to **make** us holy + **keep** us holy
+ But don't **feel** holy?  **try**, but **fail** often
+ cf **prev** self: progress? or not?
  + cf **others**: maybe holy-ish?

---

and may your whole spirit and soul and body 
be **kept blameless** at the coming 
of our Lord Jesus Christ.

又願你們的靈與魂與身子得蒙保守，
在我主耶穌基督降臨的時候，
完全無可指摘！

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:23b (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/09AhDCedXF8 "caption")

>>>
*(no read)*

+ but **completely** holy? 
  + spirit / soul / body?
+ God doesn't grade on **curve**
  + but cf His **own** perfection
+ totally **blameless**: 
  + w/o charge, **accusation**
+ only bc **Christ** took penalty for us:

---

For God has not destined us for **wrath**, 
but to obtain **salvation** through 
our Lord Jesus Christ,

因為神不是預定我們受刑，
乃是預定我們藉著
我們主耶穌基督得救。

[1 Thesssalonians 5:9 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Łukasz Łada](https://unsplash.com/photos/q7z-AUlHPaw "caption")

>>>
(v9-10, p.1/2)

---

who died for us 
so that whether we are **awake or asleep** 
we might **live** with him

他替我們死，
叫我們無論醒著、睡著，
都與他同活。

[1 Thesssalonians 5:10 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Łukasz Łada](https://unsplash.com/photos/q7z-AUlHPaw "caption")

>>>
+ Our lifelong **pursuit** of holiness is
+ not to **curry** favour with perfect God
+ but **resp** to grace already extended
+ **called** us to salvation
  + **faithful** to His promises
  + so we **trust** He will do it

---

# Am I a **good** person? 我是個好人嗎？

>>>
+ if like me, **gut** reaction is sth like:
  + "well, not **perfect**, but **trying**..."
  + then list good **deeds**
+ **stop**: no, I am a **wretched** sinner
  + I don't **like** it, or **revel** in it
  + but **realistically**, cf God
+ We are **made** holy + **kept** holy
  + solely by Christ's **grace**
+ Blessed **assurance** sink in my heart
  + and bring deep-rooted **peace**

---

>>>
+ Your **holiness** + **majesty** 
 + surpass all creation
+ Your **love** + **mercy** 
 + reach down to even us
+ Our spirits long to **respond** 
 + in love + obedience
+ Increase our **love** to one another:
 + those who **lead** us in faith
 + those around who are **weak** / faint
 + even those who **wrong** us
+ **Joy** derived from **You**: 
 + Your presence, Word, HS
+ Faith You keep us **holy** til Your return
+ lives **praise** You, 
 + and so bring us **peace**

> "You arouse us so that praising you may bring us joy, because you have made us and drawn us to yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."