Jesus, who has rescued us from the approaching wrath that is the punishment of Gehenna.

For our exhortation that is concerning the first things we taught. was not in error just like the teachings of the Epicureans, which at that thrived, as we see in Acts 17:18.

in the right hand. The operative power of God is called metaphorically called His right hand.

That is, through our preaching. has not been among you in word alone, but also in power that is, it has also come by the power of divine miracles.

This he says twice, just as he says later on in this same letter (5:17).

the beloved city. That is Jerusalem, which will be inhabited at that time by Christians, as was said in Ez. 39.

And no man was able, neither in heaven: The angels. nor on earth: Humans. nor under the earth: The demons in whom the natural things remain intact. to open the book: No one can understand the divine mysteries, unless God, who first revealed them to the human Christ and Christ to John, reveals them.

May the Lord be with all of you: That is, at the present time and in the future glory.

In this weeping John indicates the desire to know the future course of the Church.

so that the Gospel would be entrusted to us: As trustworthy servants. Gospel: That is, the preaching of the Gospel. so also did we speak: That is to proclaim accurately. Striving to please God, and not men.

thus it was gentle and of good nature, yet it was very sincere.

that is from painful beatings. at Philippi Which is a city of Macedonia.