In light of surrounding dangers, and even more in light of God's grace in salvation, Paul called the Thessalonians to stand their ground.

The second commandment finds ultimate meaning in Christ, by whom alone we can properly approach and worship God.

The first commandment calls for exclusive loyalty to the only God there is, and who is the ultimate and maximal source of blessing.

By pronouncing the Ten Commandments from Mt. Sinai, God revealed himself to his people, and taught them his requirements for their behavior as well as the purpose of the law.

The whole of Paul's thought about salvation and thanksgiving is governed by his trinitarian doctrine of God.

In God's kingdom, the meek are heirs through the one who is meek and lowly in heart.

The holiness and majesty of God are so great that no one can stand in his presence without a mediator.

The salvation that starts in election, reaches people in calling, and is worked out in faith and sanctification, finally reaches its goal in glorification, i.e., in sharing Christ's mediatorial glory in body and soul.

The blessings of the kingdom of heaven are for those who are poor in spirit.

God calls his chosen people to salvation through the preaching of the gospel.