Christian Identity in 1 Thessalonians (original) (raw)

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8: The Thessalonians should live a holy life

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 2007

The author argues that 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 should be considered as one coherent pericope. It shows that the term “holiest” does not refer to the god “Kabeiros”, neither that the Greek word “skeuos” means either “spouse” or referring to the male sexual organ. It rather means “body”. The article aims to argue that 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 is a passage in which Paul urges the Thessalonians to be always pure in body and mind. Thus explained, the pericope fits in with the preceding text about the Thessalonians’ holiness at the parousia (3:13) and it prepares for the next paragraph in which the parousia of the Lord with the holy people (3:13) is discussed more thoroughly (1 Th 4:13-5:11).

Paul’s community formation in 1 Thessalonians: The creation of symbolic boundaries

2015

This article presents how Paul, in 1 Thessalonians, executes the process of the formation of the Thessalonian community. Using the sociological concept of symbolic boundaries, it is argued that the resources – (1) the kerygmatic narrative, (2) the local narratives, and (3) the ethical norms – that Paul incorporates into the letter take an essential role to promote the converts to derive a cooperative identity from the community to which they belong and to strengthen the distinction between them and the larger society. By providing internal consensus and external separation, the resources serve to construct and maintain the Thessalonian community that is internally united and externally distinct.

The Thessalonian Church- A Good Model by Joseph L. Looney II

2001

The purpose of this treatise is to develop an expository and practical commentary on the letter(s) of the Apostle Paul to the church located in Thessalonica. This treatise will emphasize that this church stands as a model church for every generation throughout the church age and will be until Jesus returns. This is stated in the light of the teachings of the New Testament, Revelation chapters 2 and 3, and the statement in 1 Thessalonians 1:7, where Paul asserts, "So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia."

Re-describing the Thessalonian’s ‘Mission’ in Light of Graeco-Roman Associations (2014)

New Testament Studies 60/1 (2014) 61-82

1 Thess 1:2-10 is generally understood to be making reference to the Thessalonians participating in missionary activity in which they proclaim the salvific message of Christ. Read this way, the text presumes that the Thessalonians have evangelized areas even before the Paul party arrived. That a newly constituted group of artisans would undertake such an aggressive program seems unlikely. The rhetoric of the passage is better understood in light of the practice of associations in proclaiming honours for their gods and their founders and benefactors, the news about which spread via networks of traders, artisans, and other travelers throughout the provinces of Macedonia and Achaia.