How we cite our quotes:
Quote #7
Encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. (1 Thessalonians 5:11-14, NRSV)
Comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. (1 Thessalonians 5:11-14, KJV)
Just a few simple rules for being in a Christian community. Paul encourages everyone to get along, respect the leaders in the community, and help out those who are following behind. Next, he'll have everyone hold hands around the campfire while he plays Kumbaya on his guitar.
Quote #8
Beloved, pray for us. Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all of them. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (1 Thessalonians 5:25-28, NRSV)
Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (1 Thessalonians 5:25-28, KJV)
Paul doesn't write to just one person—his letters go to whole groups. Here, he asks everyone to pray for him and his friends and that someone should read his letter out loud. Okay, get the popcorn ready; this is gonna be good.
Quote #9
We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of everyone of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God. (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4, NRSV)
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God. (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4, KJV)
More bragging about the Thessalonians' love for each other. This is oddly similar to the opening of 1 Thessalonians, dontchathink? Does that mean this one is a fake? Or were the Thessalonians just that good?