Experimental Evidence to the Word
J. Cumming, D. D. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard of us… In order to appreciate this come with me to some sequestered glen amid the hills of Scotland, to the patriarchal occupant of a lonely cabin, where you may behold the grey-headed man, amid intermingling smiles and tears, bending morning, noon and night, over one book, "the big ha' Bible." Let us ask him, "How do you know that that book is the Word of God? You never read the 'Evidences' of Paley, the 'Analogy' of Butler, the 'Credibility' of Lardner, the eloquent 'Demonstrations' of Chalmers; how came you to believe it?" "Come to believe it," would the peasant say, "I have felt it in my heart and conscience to be the Book of God; it has taught me the truths I never knew before; it has given me a peace the world could never give; it has calmed my beating heart; it has stanched my bleeding wounds; it has kindled within me the love of God, and the hope of glory. Not the Book of God! I am convinced of it as I am that I am here a living man." (J. Cumming, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.