Strabo, writing near the beginning of the 1 st century, speaks
of Thessalonica as a Macedonian city, which at the present time is
more populous than any of the rest [7.7.4] In so saying, Strabo
seems not to include Philippi as part of Macedonia. Even so, it
seems that Thessalonica was larger than Philippi. Thessalonica had
a proper synagogue (Ac. 17:1) Thessalonica had a proper synagogue
(Ac. 17:1) Philippi did not (Ac. 16:13) Philippi did not (Ac.
16:13) The City
Slide 4
rulers of the city politarchs Ramsay curious and rare title
BDAG a number of . (five or six in Thessalonica) formed the city
council in Macedonian cities, and occasionally in others MM the
title was essentially Macedonian evidenced by 19 inscriptions &
1 papyrus 5 inscr. from Thessalonica 9 inscr. from elsewhere in
Macedonia 2 inscr. from Philippopolis in Thrace 1 inscr. from
Bithynia 1 inscr. from Bosporus 1 inscr. & 1 papyrus from Egypt
rulers of the city politarchs Ramsay curious and rare title BDAG a
number of . (five or six in Thessalonica) formed the city council
in Macedonian cities, and occasionally in others MM the title was
essentially Macedonian evidenced by 19 inscriptions & 1 papyrus
5 inscr. from Thessalonica 9 inscr. from elsewhere in Macedonia 2
inscr. from Philippopolis in Thrace 1 inscr. from Bithynia 1 inscr.
from Bosporus 1 inscr. & 1 papyrus from Egypt 70% 10% The
City
Slide 5
rulers of the city politarchs bring them forth to the people
common word, but here, a technical term for town meeting?
Macedonian Inscription, A.D. 143 rulers of the city politarchs
bring them forth to the people common word, but here, a technical
term for town meeting? Macedonian Inscription, A.D. 143 The
City
Slide 6
Across the water from Mt. Olympus
Slide 7
Slide 8
Slide 9
Ac 17:2 Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and
Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica
Slide 10
Ac 17 14 And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to
go as far as to the sea: Ac 17 14 both Silas and Timothy remained
there. 15 But they that conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens
Ac 17 15 and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy that
they should come to him with all speed, they departed. Ac 18 1
After these things he departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. Ac
18 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia
Slide 11
1 Thessalonians 2 17 But we, brethren, being bereaved of you
for a short season, in presence not in heart 2 and sent Timothy,
our brother and God's minister in the gospel of Christ, to
establish you, 1 Thessalonians 3 1 Wherefore when we could no
longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens
alone; 1 Thessalonians 3 6 But when Timothy came even now unto us
from you, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love KJV
has The first epistle unto the Thessalonians was written from
Athens. Some MSS have was written from Athens Timothy PROSq e
ssalonik e is a
Slide 12
Philippians 4 15 And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians,
that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from
Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving
and receiving but ye only; 16 for even in Thessalonica ye sent once
and again unto my need. 2 Corinthians 11 8 I robbed other churches,
taking wages of them that I might minister unto you; Philippians 4
when I departed from Macedonia 15 And ye yourselves also know, ye
Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed
from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of
giving and receiving but ye only; 16 for even in Thessalonica ye
sent once and again unto my need. Giving & Receiving Sponsoring
Church Activity? Philippians 4 no church had fellowship with me in
the matter of giving and receiving but ye only 15 And ye yourselves
also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel,
when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in
the matter of giving and receiving but ye only; 16 for even in
Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need. The only way that
you can reconcile 2 Corinthians 11 with this passage is that the
brethren determined to send to Philippi and they oversaw the
sending of the money. - CW Lincoln, Dallas Meeting, 1990 The only
way that you can reconcile 2 Corinthians 11 with this passage is
that the brethren determined to send to Philippi and they oversaw
the sending of the money. - CW Lincoln, Dallas Meeting, 1990
Slide 13
Authorship Both letters are sent in the name of Paul, Silvanus
(Silas), and Timothy. Silas and Timothy had just come from
Macedonia (Ac 18:5) Silas and Timothy had just come from Macedonia
(Ac 18:5) Only Timothy is said to have come from the Thessalonians
(1 TH 3:6) Only Timothy is said to have come from the Thessalonians
(1 TH 3:6) he had been sent back to Thessalonica (1 TH 3:2) he had
been sent back to Thessalonica (1 TH 3:2) Silas apparently stayed
in Berea or elsewhere in Macedonia Silas apparently stayed in Berea
or elsewhere in Macedonia
Slide 14
Authorship AUTHENTICITY 1 Thessalonians Although Pauline
authorship of 1 Thessalonians was occasionally questioned in the
nineteenth centuryno contemporary scholars of repute seem to doubt
the authentic Pauline character of the letter Wanamaker 2
Thessalonians Alleged to be a forgery because: 2 Thessalonians is
too similar 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians is too similar 1
Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians is too different from 1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians is too different from 1 Thessalonians The notion
that the Day of the Lord had come was a gnostic idea The notion
that the Day of the Lord had come was a gnostic idea There was no
need to guard against forgeries (my own hand), and therefore 2
Thessalonians must have been a forgery There was no need to guard
against forgeries (my own hand), and therefore 2 Thessalonians must
have been a forgery
Slide 15
Authorship 2 Thess. 3:17-18 I, Paul, write this greeting with
my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter;
this is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with
you all. , . . , . .
Slide 16
Authorship Galatians 6:11 See with what large letters I am
writing to you with my own hand. 1 Corinthians 16:21 The greeting
of Paul, in my hand Colossians 4:18 The greeting of Paul, in my
hand Romans 16:22 I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in
the Lord. Philemon 19 I, Paul, wrote in my hand, I will repay For
What Purpose? 1.To guard against forgery 2.A token of intimacy I
salute you, Plangon. These things I have written to you in my hand.
Goodbye, good Dionysius, and remember your Callirhoe. 3.Other
Specific reasons
Slide 17
Date
Slide 18
Date
Slide 19
Date 5152 Window for letter Window for beginning of Gallios
term as proconsul Latest possible date for beginning of Gallios
term Earliest possible date for beginning of Gallios term 50
Slide 20
Acts 18 Pauls total time at Corinth: 18 months 11 And he
settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among
them. after Gallio came to office 18 Paul, having remained many
days longer Date 5152 Window for Pauls arrival in CorinthWindow for
beginning of Gallios term as proconsul Pauls latest possible
arrival date Pauls earliest possible arrival date 50 Allowing a
maximum of 17 months and a minimum of 9 months before Gallio comes
to office
Slide 21
1.Some of the Jews 2.Of the devout Greeks a great many 3.Of the
leading women, not a few Who was persuaded? God-fearers, worshipers
of God is a term applied to former polytheists who accepted the
ethical monotheism of Israel and attended the synagogue, but who
did not obligate themselves to keep the whole Mosaic law; in
particular, the males did not submit to circumcision BDAG The whole
phrase Lydia (Ac 16:14) Titus Justus (Ac 18:7) Without the object
women stirred up against Paul by Jews (Ac 13:50) some at Athens (Ac
17:17) With proselytes some at Antioch (Ac 13:43) God-fearers,
worshipers of God is a term applied to former polytheists who
accepted the ethical monotheism of Israel and attended the
synagogue, but who did not obligate themselves to keep the whole
Mosaic law; in particular, the males did not submit to circumcision
BDAG The whole phrase Lydia (Ac 16:14) Titus Justus (Ac 18:7)
Without the object women stirred up against Paul by Jews (Ac 13:50)
some at Athens (Ac 17:17) With proselytes some at Antioch (Ac
13:43)
Slide 22
1.Some of the Jews 2.Of the devout and of Greeks a great many
3.Of the leading women, not a few Who was persuaded?
Slide 23
Ramsay argues strongly for this reading 1.Some of the Jews 2.Of
the devout 3.and of Greeks a great many 4.Of the leading women, not
a few Who was persuaded?
Slide 24
Codex D unambiguously has wives of the leading men 1.Some of
the Jews 2.Of the devout Greeks a great many 3.Of the leading
women, not a few Who was persuaded? 1.Some of the Jews 2.Of the
devout Greeks a great many 3.Of wives of the leading men, not a
few
Slide 25
2 Thess. 2:13 Ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it
is in truth, the word of God MOSTLY GENTILES Acts 17:4Some of the
Jews Acts 17:4Some of the Jews Acts 17:11Jews at Thessalonica not
as receptive as those at Berea Acts 17:11Jews at Thessalonica not
as receptive as those at Berea 1 Th. 2:8turned unto God from idols
1 Th. 2:8turned unto God from idols Who was persuaded?
Slide 26
1.Secundus Traveled with Paul during his 3 rd Journey Traveled
with Paul during his 3 rd Journey Went ahead of Paul and waited for
him at Troas (Acts 20:4), along with Aristarchus and others
2.Aristarchus Traveled with Paul during his 3 rd Journey Traveled
with Paul during his 3 rd Journey Was seized during the riot at
Ephesus (Acts 19:29) Went ahead of Paul and waited for him at Troas
(Acts 20:4) Must have become acquainted with the church at Colossae
during this trip (See below) Traveled to Rome with Paul (Acts 27:2)
Traveled to Rome with Paul (Acts 27:2) Was with Paul in Rome as a
prisoner when Paul wrote Colossians (Colossians 4:10) and as a
fellow worker (Philemon 24) People
Slide 27
1 Thessalonians a response to Timothys arrival with glad
tidings from the Thessalonians (3:6). Paul had hastily and
unexpectedly left Macedonia (Ac. 17:14), whereas he had hoped to
have further contact with the Thessalonians but had been hindered
from doing so by Satan (1 Thess. 2:17f). urges these brethren who
had recently come out of a world of sexual immorality to recognize
that their sanctification involves abstaining from fornication [1
Thess. 3:1-8]. Perhaps having been advised by Timothy of
uncertainty among the Thessalonian brethren in regard to some who
had died, Paul takes this opportunity to explain that those who
have fallen asleep in Jesus will not be left out at the Lords
coming (1 Thess. 4:13ff). Purpose
Slide 28
2 Thessalonians written largely to reinforce or clarify what
Paul had said in 1 Thessalonians Needed perhaps because of adverse
influence from others -OR- Needed due to the Thessalonians
misunderstanding of what Paul wrote Which it was depends on our
understanding of by epistle as from us. Does Paul mean purporting
to be from us, with reference to some pseudo-pauline letter [cf.
Diod. Sic. 33.5.5, Diog. L. 10.3] Or does Paul mean, as for
example, from us (i.e., 1 Thessalonians) Purpose 2 Thessalonians
2:2 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be
disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from
us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. neither
through epistle as through us 2 Thessalonians 2:2 2 that you not be
quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a
spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that
the day of the Lord has come. neither through epistle as through
us
Slide 29
2 Thessalonians The nature of the misunderstanding: The nature
of the misunderstanding: Some thought the day of the Lord had
already come 2:2 should be translated has come as in the NAS, ESV
2:2 should be translated has come as in the NAS, ESV Perfect tense
used 6 times in the NT, always existing thing When Paul wanted to
use the word with reference to a future event, he used the future
tense. Purpose Hb. 9:9 perfect participle time present Hb. 9:9
perfect participle time present Ga 1:4 perfect participle present
evil world Ga 1:4 perfect participle present evil world 1 Co 7:26
perfect participle present distress 1 Co 7:26 perfect participle
present distress Ro 8:38 perfect participle things present
contrasted with things to come Ro 8:38 perfect participle things
present contrasted with things to come 1 Co 3:22 perfect participle
things present contrasted with things to come 1 Co 3:22 perfect
participle things present contrasted with things to come 2 Ti 3:1
future grievous times shall come 2 Ti 3:1 future grievous times
shall come 2 Thessalonians 2:2 2 that you not be quickly shaken
from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message
or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord
has come. neither through epistle as through us 2 Thessalonians 2:2
2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be
disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from
us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. neither
through epistle as through us
Slide 30
Paul connected conduct and anticipation of the Lords coming in
1 Thess. 3:13 CONDUCT Th. 4:1-12 Holiness, or sanctification,
specifically with respect to sexual morality love of the brethren
personal responsibility. personal responsibility Note especially
that personal responsibility (4:11-12) was part of having hearts
unblameable in holiness, i.e., sanctification. ANTICIPATION 1 Th.
4:13-4:18 The coming of the Lord with all his saints. Purpose 1
Thess. 3:13 13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame
in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord
Jesus with all His [f] saints.f 1 Thess. 3:13 13 so that He may
establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and
Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His [f]
saints.f
Slide 31
When Paul addresses the mistaken idea that the Lord had already
returned, he again connects these two ideas ANTICIPATION 2 Th.
2:1-12the Lords return is yet future CONDUCT 2 Th. 2:13-15 urges
continued sanctification (already shown to include personal
responsibility) Paul equates this with holding the traditions which
they were taught (2 Thess. 2:15). Purpose
Slide 32
2 Thess. 2:16-3:5 could well have been the conclusion 2 Thess.
3:6-15 A sort of post script what the brethren should do about some
who have not continued to walk in sanctification, or as Paul
expresses it here, walk not after the tradition they received of
us, but have become disorderly, neglecting personal responsibility
Purpose
Slide 33
Purpose 1 TH 3:131 TH 4:1-182 TH 2:1-152 TH 3:6-15 Hearts
blameless in holiness 4:1-12 Sexual morality Love of brethren
Personal responsibility 2:1-12 Lords coming is yet future What to
do about some who walk not after the tradition (disorderly,
neglecting personal responsibility) Coming of the Lord 4:13-18
Coming of the Lord 2:13-15 Chosen in sanctification, so then hold
the traditions 2 TH 2:16-3:5 CLOSING Given that Paul connected
sanctification, which is accomplished by walking in the tradition
Paul taught, with the Lords future return, it is not unreasonable
to suppose that those whom Paul identifies as not walking in that
tradition were those who believed the Lord had already returned and
who had therefore turned away from lives of sanctification and
personal responsibility.
Slide 34
Slide 35
Authorship Pauls letters penned by an amanuensis, with closing
remarks added by Paul in his own hand Use of an amanuensis was
typical in Greece & Rome, Deissmann p. 166 and plate, et al.
Was not always noted In the case of Paul, he attaches special
significance of this practice in at least 3 instances Galatians,
Galatians, Philemon, as assurance that he would pay Philemon, as
assurance that he would pay 2 Thessalonians, perhaps in view of 2
Thess. 2:2 2 Thessalonians, perhaps in view of 2 Thess. 2:2
Slide 36
THESSALONICA Strabo on Thessalonica, writing about the time of
Jesus birth: Thessaloniceia, a Macedonian city, which at the
present time is more populous than any of the rest 7.7.4 GENTILES
ACTS 17 PERSECUTION OCCASION RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO LETTERS
own hand 2 Thess. 3:17 Gal. 6:11, Romans 16:22, 1 Cor. 16:21, Col.
4:18
Slide 37
Date From ISBE (Bromiley) Claudius gave Achaia back to Senate,
administered by a proconsul Claudius edict expelling Jews Claudius
letter mentions Gallio Felix becomes procurator of Judea Festus
succeeds Felix 4449525256 Acts 18Arrival at Corinth 2 And he found
a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from
Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all
the Jews to leave Rome.
Slide 38
Date From ISBE (Bromiley) Claudius gave Achaia back to Senate,
administered by a proconsul Claudius edict expelling Jews Claudius
letter mentions Gallio Felix becomes procurator of Judea Festus
succeeds Felix 4449525256 Acts 18Arrival at Corinth 2 And he found
a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from
Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all
the Jews to leave Rome. Josephus identifies Festus as successor to
Felix (BJ 2.14.1, Ant. 20.9), and puts Festus governorship during
the reign of Nero (Ant. 20.9). Nero reigned from 54-68. Tacitus
(History v) has Felix coming to power during the reign of Claudius,
who reigned from 41 to 54, and has Felix serving as procurator
during the years 48-54 (Annals xii.54).
Slide 39
Authorship The Textual History of the Letter to the Romans
(Studies and Documents) Harry Gamble, Jr.
Slide 40
The book of Acts, FF BRUCE Also see: See See Gymnastics of the
mind: Greek education in Hellenistic and Roman Egypt By Raffaella
Cribiore, pp. 88f