Exton Two Day Study 2012

1. Exton Two Day Study 2012 1 & 2 Thessalonians www.diktuon.com/etds WEP KEY: 18013B374A

2. Exton Two Day Study 2012 1 & 2 Thessalonians Introduction

3. The City • Strabo, writing near the beginning of the 1st 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) • Philippi did not (Ac. 16:13)

4. The City “rulers of the city” πολιτάρχης politarchēs Ramsay “curious and rare title” BDAG “a number of π. (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%

5. The City “rulers of the city” πολιτάρχης politarchēs “bring them forth to the people” δῆμος common word, but here, a technical term for town meeting? Macedonian Inscription, A.D. 143

6. Across the water from Mt. Olympus The City

9. Egnatian Way Ac 17:2 Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica…

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 1After these things he departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. Ac 18 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia…

11. 1 Thessalonians 2 17But we, brethren, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence not in heart… Alexandrinus Vaticanus Timothy PROSqessalonikeis a 1 Thessalonians 3 6But when Timothy came even now unto us from you, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love 1 Thessalonians 3 1Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone; KJV has “The first epistle unto the Thessalonians was written from Athens.” Some MSS have “was written from Athens” 2and sent Timothy, our brother and God's minister in the gospel of Christ, to establish you,

12. “Giving & Receiving” Sponsoring Church Activity? “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 $ $ Church at Corinth doesn’t yet exist Philippians 4 15And 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. Philippians 4 15And 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. Philippians 4 15And 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 8I robbed other churches, taking wages of them that I might minister unto you;

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) • 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) • Silas apparently stayed in Berea or elsewhere in Macedonia

14. Authorship • AUTHENTICITY • 1 Thessalonians • “Although Pauline authorship of 1 Thessalonians was occasionally questioned in the nineteenth century…no 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 similar1 Thessalonians • 2Thessalonians is too differentfrom 1 Thessalonians • 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

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. Ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ χειρὶ Παύλου, ὅ ἐστιν σημεῖον ἐν πάσῃ ἐπιστολῇ· οὕτως γράφω. ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν.

16. Authorship Romans 16:22 I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord. • For What Purpose? • To guard against forgery • 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.” • Other Specific reasons… Why not in every letter? 2 Thess. 3:17 indicates it was Paul doesn’t say that he says he writes a greeting in his own hand in every letter, but that he writes in his own hand in every letter. 1 Corinthians 16:21 The greeting of Paul, in my hand Galatians 6:11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. Colossians 4:18 The greeting of Paul, in my hand Philemon 19 I, Paul, wrote in my hand, I will repay

17. Date

18. Date

19. Date Earliest possible date for beginning of Gallio’s term Latest possible date for beginning of Gallio’s term 50 51 52 Window for beginning of Gallio’s term as proconsul Window for letter

20. Date Paul’s earliest possible arrival date Paul’s latest possible arrival date 50 51 52 Window for Paul’s arrival in Corinth Window for beginning of Gallio’s term as proconsul • Acts 18 • Paul’s 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… Allowing a maximum of 17 months and a minimum of 9 months before Gallio comes to office…

21. Who was persuaded? “Some of” the Jews “Of the devout Greeks a great many” “Of the leading women, not a few” • σεβόμενοιτὸν θεόνGod-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) τῶν τε σεβομένων Ἑλλήνων πλῆθος πολύ

22. Who was persuaded? “Some of” the Jews “Of the devout and of Greeks a great many” “Of the leading women, not a few” τῶν τε σεβομένων καὶἙλλήνων πλῆθος πολύ

23. Who was persuaded? “Some of” the Jews “Of the devout and of Greeks a great many” “Of the leading women, not a few” Ramsay argues strongly for this reading

24. Who was persuaded? “Some of” the Jews “Of the devout Greeks a great many” “Of the leading women, not a few” “Some of” the Jews “Of the devout Greeks a great many” “Of wives of the leading men, not a few” Codex D unambiguously has “wives of the leading men…” καὶ γυναῖκες τῶν πρώτων οὐκ ὀλίγαι γυναικῶν τε τῶν πρώτων οὐκ ὀλίγαι

25. Who was persuaded? • MOSTLY GENTILES • Acts 17:4 “Some of” the Jews • Acts 17:11 Jews at Thessalonica not as receptive as those at Berea • 1 Th. 2:8 “turned unto God from idols” 2 Thess. 2:13 “Ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God”

26. People • Secundus • Traveled with Paul during his “3rd” Journey • Went ahead of Paul and waited for him at Troas (Acts 20:4), along with Aristarchus and others • Aristarchus • Traveled with Paul during his “3rd” 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) • Was with Paul in Rome as a prisoner when Paul wrote Colossians (Colossians 4:10)… • …and as a fellow worker (Philemon 24)

27. Purpose • 1 Thessalonians • a response to Timothy’s 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 Lord’s coming (1 Thess. 4:13ff).

28. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 2that 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. μήτεδι’ ἐπιστολῆς ὡς δι’ ἡμῶν neither through epistle as through us Purpose • 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) ἔπεμψαν ὡς παρὰ τῶν πρεσβευτῶν ἐπιστολήν

29. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 2that 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. μήτεδι’ ἐπιστολῆς ὡς δι’ ἡμῶν neither through epistle as through us Purpose • 2 Thessalonians • 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 • 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. Hb. 9:9 perfect participle “time present” Ga 1:4 perfect participle “present evil world” 1 Co 7:26 perfect participle “present distress” 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” 2 Ti 3:1 future “grievous times shall come”

30. Purpose • Paul connected conductand anticipation of the Lord’s 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. • 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. 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.

31. Purpose • When Paul addresses the mistaken idea that the Lord had already returned, he again connects these two ideas • ANTICIPATION • 2 Th. 2:1-12 the Lord’s 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).

32. Purpose • 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

33. Purpose 2 TH 2:16-3:5 CLOSING • Given that Paul connected sanctification, which is accomplished by walking in the tradition Paul taught, with the Lord’s 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.

35. Authorship • Paul’s 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, • Philemon, as assurance that he would pay • 2 Thessalonians, perhaps in view of 2 Thess. 2:2

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

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 Acts 18 Arrival at Corinth 2And 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. 44 49 52 52 56

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 Acts 18 Arrival at Corinth 2And 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. 44 49 52 52 56 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). 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.

39. The Textual History of the Letter to the Romans (Studies and Documents) Harry Gamble, Jr. Authorship

40. The book of Acts, FF BRUCE Also see: See Gymnastics of the mind: Greek education in Hellenistic and Roman Egypt  By RaffaellaCribiore, pp. 88f

41. Authorship

42. Authorship