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the Week of Proper 25 / Ordinary 30
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Bible Commentaries
Milligan on Paul's Epistle to the Thessalonians Milligan on Thessalonians
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These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliographical Information
Milligan, George. "Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5". "Milligan on Paul's Epistle to the Thessalonians". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/gmt/1-thessalonians-5.html.
Milligan, George. "Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5". "Milligan on Paul's Epistle to the Thessalonians". https://www.studylight.org/
Whole Bible (52)New Testament (19)Gospels Only (1)Individual Books (10)
Verse 1
1–5. ‘We have been speaking of Christ’s Return. As to the time when that will take place, Brothers, we do not need to say anything further. For you yourselves have already been fully informed that the coming of the Day of the Lord is as unexpected as the coming of a thief in the night. It is just when men are feeling most secure that ruin confronts them suddenly as the birth-pang a travailing woman, and escape is no longer possible. But as for you, Brothers, the case is very different. You are living in the day-light now: and therefore the coming of the Day will not catch you unawares.’
1.Περὶ δὲ τ. χρόνων κτλ . ] Vg. de temporibus autem et momentis, Beza porto de temporibus et opportunitatibus. The two words (cf. Acts 1:7, Daniel 2:21; Daniel 7:12, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Sap. 8:8; P.Lond. 1:42, 1:23 f. (2./b.c.) τοσούτου χρόνου ἐπιγεγονότος καὶ τοιούτων καιρῶν ) are often distinguished as if they referred to longer and shorter periods of time respectively (Beng.: χρόνων partes, καιροί ), but χρόνος rather expresses simply duration, time viewed in its extension, and καιρός a definite space of time, time with reference both to its extent and character: cf. Titus 1:2 f. where this distinction comes out very clearly, ἣν (sc. ζωὴν αἰώνιον ) ἐπηγγείλατο ὁ ἀψευδὴς θεὸς πρὸ χρόνων αἰωνίων ἐφανέρωσεν δὲ καιροῖς ἰδίοις . In the present instance therefore χρόνων may be taken as a general description of the ‘ages’ that may elapse before tho Parousia, while καιρῶν draws attention to the critical ‘periods’ (articuli) by which these ‘ages’ will be marked.
In the N.T.καιρός is very common with an eschatological reference, probably, as Herr suggests (1 Pet. p. 51), owing to the manner of its use in Daniel (9:27 &c.): cf. Mark 13:33, Luke 21:8; Luke 21:24, Acts 3:19, Ephesians 1:10, 1 Timothy 6:15, Titus 1:3, Hebrews 9:10, Revelation 1:3; Revelation 11:18; Revelation 22:10. It should be noted however that it is by no means limited by St Paul to its special use, but is also used of time generally, e.g. Romans 3:26; Romans 8:18, 1 Corinthians 7:29, Ephesians 5:16 (with Robinson’s note). See further Trench Syn. § 57., and for an interesting discussion of the Gk. idea of καιρός see Butcher Harvard Lectures on Greek Subjects (1904) p. 117 ff. The distinction alluded to above survives in mod. Gk. where χρόνος = ‘year,’ and καιρός = ‘weather.’
Onἀδελφοί see 1:4 note, and on οὐ χρ. ἔχ . see 4:9 note.
Verse 2
2.αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀκριβῶς κτλ . ] ‘For yourselves (A.V. 1611 ‘your selues’) know accurately’—a further appeal to the Thessalonians’ own experience (cf. 2:1 note), the addition of ἀκριβῶς being due not only to the stress laid by the Apostles on this point in their oral teaching, but perhaps also to the fact that then as now (see below) that teaching had been based on the actual words of the Lord. For a somewhat similar use of ἀκριβῶς cf. Acts 18:25 where it is said of Apollos ἐδίδασκεν ἀκριβῶς τὰ περὶ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ , though it is going too far to find there with Blass a proof that Apollos made use of a written gospel (‘accurate … videlicet non sine scripto euangelio’: cf. Knowling E.G.T. ad loc., and see J. H. A. Hart J.T.S. 7. p. 17 ff.). In Ephesians 5:15, the only other Pauline passage where the word occurs, it can mean little more than ‘carefully’ if we follow the best-attested reading βλέπετε οὖν ἀκριβῶς (à*B): if however with àcA ἀκριβῶς belongs to περιπατεῖτε , the thought of strict conformity to a standard is again introduced. The same idea underlies the old Engl. use of ‘diligently’ by which the word is rendered in the A.V. of Matthew 2:8 (cf. ἠκρίβωσεν ‘inquired diligently’ v. 7), as is shown by the translators’ own description of their version as ‘with the former Translations diligently compared and revised.’
The phrase is first found in the O.T. in Amos 5:18 ff., where the prophet criticizes the popular expectation that the ‘day’ was to be a day not of judgment but of national deliverance (perhaps in connexion with phrases like the ‘day of Midian’ Isaiah 9:4 recalling the victory of Israel over her foes, see W. R. Smith Prophets of Israel2 p. 397 f.). It is very frequent in the later prophecies (e.g. Isaiah 2:12 ff., Zephaniah 1:7 ff., Malachi 3:2; Malachi 4:1), and always with a definite eschatological reference to the term fixed for the execution of judgment: see further A. B. Davidson op. cit. p. 374 ff., and Art. ‘Eschatology’ in Hastings’ D.B. 1. p. 735 ff., also the elaborate discussion in Gressmann Der Ursprung der israelitisch-jüdischen Eschatologie (1905) p. 141 ff.
The actual comparisonὡς κλέπτης is not found in the O.T. (but cf. Job 24:14, Jeremiah 29:10 (49:9), Obadiah 1:5), while the addition of ἐν νυκτί , which is peculiar to the present passage, may have led to the belief so widely prevalent in the early Church that Christ would come at night (Lact. Instt. 7:19 ‘intempesta nocte et tenebrosa, ’ Hieron. ad Matthew 25:6 ‘media nocte’). Ἔρχεται , pres. for fut., lends vividness and certainty to the whole idea (cf. Blass, p. 189).
Verse 3
3.ὅταν λέγωσιν κτλ . ] There is good authority for inserting δέ (WH. mg.) after ὅταν , but on the whole ms. evidence is against it, and the verse must be regarded as standing in close (asyndetic) relation to the preceding clause. The subject is left indefinite, but can only be unbelieving men (Beng.: ‘ceteri, qui sunt tenebrarum’), while the pres. (instead of the aor.) subj. after ὅταν points to coincidence of time in the events spoken of: it is ‘at the very moment when they are saying’ &c., cf. Revelation 18:9, and see Abbott Joh. Gr. p. 385.
Inἐπίσταται (Vg. superveniet, Beza imminet) the idea of suddenness does not belong to the verb itself, though frequently, as here, it is suggested by the context, cf. Luke 20:1, Acts 6:12; Acts 17:5, where ἐφίστημι is used similarly of hostile intent. It occurs elsewhere in the Pauline writings only in 2 Timothy 4:2; 2 Timothy 4:6. The unaspirated form ἐπίσταται may be due to confusion with the other verb ἐπίσταμαι (WH.2 Notes p. 151, WSchm. p. 39).
For suddenly
It comes; the dreadfulness must be
In that; all warrants the belief—
‘At night it cometh like a thief.’
(B. Browning ‘Easter-Day.’)
The lateὠδίν (for ὠδίς ) is found in the LXX. Isaiah 37:3; cf. in the Κοινή nom. εὐθύριν , P.Grenf. 11. 35, 5 (1./b.c.). In οὐ μὴ ἐκφύγ . we have probably another reminiscence of Luke 21. (see above), ἵνα κατισχύσητε ἐκφυγεῖν ταῦτα πάντα (v. 36). For the absolute use of the verb in the present passage cf. Acts 16:27, Hebrews 2:3; Hebrews 12:25, Sirach 16:13 (14), and for οὐ μή see the note on 4:15.
Verse 4
4.ὑμεῖς δέ κτλ . ] Ὑμεῖς emphatic, and conjoined with the following ἀδελφοί suggesting a direct contrast to the unbelieving men of v. 3: cf. Ephesians 4:20. Whatever the past state of the Thessalonians may have been, in the eyes of the Apostles they are no longer (οὐκ ἐστέ ) in darkness, the reference being not merely to mental ignorance (Thdt. τὴν ἄγνοιαν ), but, as the sequel shows, including also the thought of moral estrangement from God (Chrys. τὸν σκοτεινὸν καὶ ἀκάθαρτον βίον ). For the general thought cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:12. Τὸ (for ὁ ) σκότος , rare in good Attic writers, is the regular form in the N.T.: cf. LXX. Isaiah 42:16.
Verse 5
5.πάντες γὰρ ὑμεῖς κτλ . ] a restatement of what has just been said from the positive side, but extended to embrace all, and deepened by the relation now predicated of the Thessalonians. They are not only ‘in’ light, but are ‘sons of light,’ sharing in the being and nature of light, and also ‘sons of day,’ ἡμέρας being used apparently not so much generally of the enlightened sphere in which light rules, as with special reference to the ‘day’ of Christ’s appearing already spoken of, in which the Thessalonians in virtue of their Christian standing will have part. On the connexion of light with the day of the Lord in O.T. prophecy see such passages as Hosea 6:5 τὸ κρίμα μου ὡς φῶς ἐξελεύσεται , Micah 7:8 f. ἐὰν καθίσω ἐν τῷ σκότει, Κύριος φωτιεῖ μοι ... καὶ ἐξάξεις με εἰς τὸ φῶς , and cf. Enoch 38:4 (with Charles’s note), 108:11 f.
For the ‘New Testament’ idiom underlyingὑ. φωτ . and υἱ. ἡμ . cf. Luke 16:8, Ephesians 5:8 and see Deissmann BS. p. 161 ff., and for the chiasmus—σκότους corresponding to φωτός , and νυκτός to ἡμέρας —see Kühner3 § 607, 3. Lft. cites by way of illustration Eur. Iph. in Taur. 1025–6 ΙΦ. ὡς δὴ σκότος λαβόντες ἐκσωθεῖμεν ἄν ; OP. κλεπτῶν γὰρ ἡ νύξ, τῆς δʼ ἀληθείας τὸ φῶς , but the passage is wanting in the best mss., and is probably a Christian interpolation.
5b–11. ‘Surely then, as those who have nothing to do with the darkness, we (for this applies to you and to us alike) ought not to sleep, but to exercise continual watchfulness and self-control. Night is the general time for sleep and drunkenness. But those who belong to the day must control themselves, and put on the full panoply of heaven. That will not only protect them against sudden attack, but give them the assurance of final and complete salvation. Salvation (we say), for this is God’s purpose for us, and He has opened up for us the way to secure it through our Lord Jesus Christ. His death on our behalf is the constant pledge that, living or dying, we shall live together with Him. Wherefore comfort and edify one another, as indeed we know that you are already doing.’
5b.Οὐκ ἐσμέν νυκτός κτλ . ] For the substitution of the 1st for the 2nd pers. see Intr. p. 44 n.2, and for the gen. with ἐσμέν pointing to the sphere to which the subjects belong see WM. p. 244.
Verse 6
6.ἄρα οὖν ] introduces emphatically the necessary conclusion from the preceding statement, ‘the illative ἄρα being supported and enhanced by the collective and retrospective οὖνʼ ’ (Ellic.). The combination is peculiar to St Paul in the N.T., and always stands at the beginning of sentences, cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Romans 5:18; Romans 7:3; Romans 7:25 &c., Galatians 6:10, Ephesians 2:19, and see WM. p. 556 f.
In addition to this v. and v. 8νήφω is found in the N.T. only in 2 Timothy 4:5 (νῆφε ἐν πᾶσιν ) and three times in 1 Pet. (1:13, 4:7, 5:8). As distinguished from γρηγορέω , a mental attitude, it points rather to a condition of moral alertness, the senses being so exercised and disciplined that all fear of sleeping again is removed (Chrys.: γρηγορήσεως ἐπίτασις ἡ νῆψίς ἐστιν ): cf. Aristeas 209 where the τρόπος βασιλείας is said to consist in τὸ συντηρεῖν ... ἑαυτὸν ἀδωροδόκητον καὶ νήφειν τὸ πλεῖον μέρος τοῦ βίου .
Verse 7
7.οἱ γὰρ καθεύδοντες κτλ . ] There is no need to look here for any figurative reference of the words (e.g. Clem. Al. Paed. 11. 9:80, 1 τουτέστιν ἐν τῷ τῆς ἀγνοίας σκότῳ , Aug. ad Ps. 131:8): they are simply a statement of the recognized fact that night is the general time when men sleep and are drunken; cf. 2 Peter 2:13 ἡδονὴν ἡγούμενοι τὴν ἐν ἡμέρᾳ τρυφήν for the deeper blame associated with revelling in the day-time, and see Matthew 24:48 ff. for the possible source of the passage before us.
The verbsμεθύσκω lit. ‘make drunk’ and μεθύω ‘am drunk’ are here virtually synonymous (‘ohne merklichen Unterschied, ’ WSchm. p. 129), and nothing is gained by trying to distinguish them in translation (Vg. ebrii sunt … ebrii sunt, Clarom., Beza inebriantur … ebrii sunt). Νυκτός , gen. of time, cf. χειμῶνος Mark 13:18, and see WM. p. 258.
Verse 8
8.ἡμεῖς δέ κτλ . ] ‘But let us, since we are of the day, be sober’—the part. having a slightly causal force almost = ὅτι ἡμέρας ἐσμέν . On the other hand the aor. part. ἐδυσάμενοι is to be closely connected with the principal verb .as indicating the manner in which the νήφειν is accomplished, ‘having put on’ once for all, whether as an antecedent or a necessary accompaniment: cf. 1 Peter 1:13 ἀναζωσάμενοι ... νήφοντες τελείως, ἐλπίσατε ἐπὶ τ. φερομένην ὑμῖν χάριν ἐν ἀποκαλύψει Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ .
It should be noted however that in the present instance the weapons spoken of are only those of defence in view of the trials which beset believers. Thus we have in the first placeθώρ. πίστεως κτλ . ‘a breastplate of (or, consisting in) faith and love’ (gen. of apposition, Blass p. 98)—a significant complement to the θώρ. τ. δικαιοσύνης of Ephesians 6:14 : ‘by faith we are able to realise the Divine will and the Divine power and by love to embody faith in our dealings with men: this is righteousness’ (Westcott ad loc.). This is accompanied by περικεφ. ἐλκπίδα σωτηρίας . ‘an helmet the hope of salvation,’ where from its eschatological reference σωτηρίας can only be gen. obj. ‘hope directed towards salvation,’ the mention of ‘hope’ which does not occur in the Isaian and Ephesian passages being in accord with the dominant teaching of the whole Epistle.
The Hellenisticπερικεφαλαία is found eleven times in the LXX, elsewhere in the N.T. only in Ephesians 6:17. For the growth in the Bibl. conception σωτηρία , which in the Κοινή is frequently = ‘health’ e.g. B.G.U. 380, 19 ff. (a mother’s letter, 3./a.d.) μὴ οὖν ἀμελήσῃς, τέχνον, γράψε μοι περὶ τῆς σωτηρίας [ς]ου , see SH. p. 23 f. The title σωτήρ is discussed by Wendland Z.N.T.W. 5. (1904) p. 335 ff., and σώζειν and its derivatives by Wagner Z.N.T.W. 6. (1905) p. 205 ff., where it is shown that in the N.T. the positive conception of deliverance to new and eternal life is predominant.
Verse 9
9.ὅτι οὐκ ἔθετο κτλ . ] Ὅτι , ‘because,’ introducing the ground not so much of the hope as of the completed salvation just referred to, which is now described under its two essential aspects of (1) deliverance from wrath, (2) the imparting of eternal life. It is with (1) only that the present v. is concerned and that from (a) a negative (οὐκ ἔθετο κτλ . ) and (b) a positive standpoint (ἀλλὰ εἰς περιποίησιν κτλ .).
Forὀργή cf. 1:10 note.
The thought of this activity on the part of true believers is not however allowed to obscure the real source of all salvation, namelyδιὰ τ. κυρ. ἡμ. Ἰης. [Χριστοῦ] , where emphasis is laid not only on the Divine side (κυρίου ) of the historic Jesus, but, if Χριστοῦ (omit B aeth) is read, on the fulfilment in Him of God’s redemptive purposes. On how this is effected, and the full blessing of salvation as eternal life secured, the next v. proceeds to show.
Verse 10
10.τοῦ ἀποθανόντος κτλ . ] a relative clause emphasizing that it is specially to the Lord ‘who died’ that we must look as the medium of our salvation, the intimate character of the relation between His ‘death’ and our ‘life’ being brought out still more clearly if we can adopt the v.l. ὑπέρ (WH. mg.) for the more colourless περί , which is found elsewhere in the Pauline Epp. in a similar connexion only in Romans 8:3 (ἁμαρτίας ), cf. Galatians 1:4 WH. mg. The point cannot however be pressed in view of the ‘enfeebling’ of the distinction between the two prepositions in late and colloquial Gk.: cf. Moulton Prolegg. p. 105.
It will be noticed that there is no direct mention here of the accompanying Resurrection of Christ as in 1:10, 4:14, and generally throughout the Pauline Epp. (Romans 4:25; Romans 5:10 &c.), but it is implied in the followingἅμα σὺν αὐτῷ ζήσωμεν . For the doctrinal significance of this whole verse see Intr. p. 68 f.
To this particular use ofγρηγορέω no Bibl. parallel can be adduced, but καθεύδω , as denoting death, is found in the LXX., Psalms 87. (88.) 6, Daniel 12:2. Wohlenberg suggests that some proverbial saying may underlie the phrase (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:31), and cites by way of illustration Plato Sym. 203 a where it is said of Eros διὰ τούτου πᾶσά ἐστιν ἡ ὁμιλία καὶ ἡ διάλεκτος θεοῖς πρὸς ἀνθρώπους, καὶ ἐγρηγορόσι καὶ καθεύδουσι . In its use here the Apostles were doubtless influenced by the perplexity of the Thessalonians which their previous teaching had been directed to meet (4:13 ff.).
The question whether this ‘life’ is to be confined to the new life which belongs to believers here, or to the perfected life that awaits them here-after, can hardly be said to arise. It is sufficient for the Apostle that through union with (ἅμα σύν , 4:17 note) their Lord believers have an actual part in His experience, and that consequently for them too ‘death’ has been transformed into ‘life’; cf. Romans 14:8 f.
For ‘to live’ as the most universal and pregnant description of ‘salvation’ in the apocalyptic teaching of St Paul’s day see Volz Jüd. Eschatologie p. 306.
Verse 11
11.Διὸ παρακαλεῖτε κτλ . ] Cf. 4:18, διό here taking the place of ὥστε , as serving better to sum up the different grounds of encouragement contained in the whole section 4:13–5:10.
Verse 12
12, 13. ‘And now to pass before closing to one or two points in this life of mutual service, we call upon you, Brothers, to pay proper respect to those who exercise rule over you in the Lord. Hold them in the highest esteem and love on account of their Divine calling, and thus preserve a spirit of peace in the whole community.’
12.εἰδέναι ] evidently used here in the sense of ‘know in their true character,’ ‘appreciate’ (Calv.: ‘Agnoscere hic significat Habere rationem aut respectum’)—a usage of the word for which no adequate parallel has yet been produced from class. or Bibl. Gk.: cf. however 1 Corinthians 16:18 ἐπιγινώσκετε οὖν τοὺς τοιούτους , and see Ign. Smyrn. 9. καλῶς ἔχει φεὸν καὶ ἐπίσκοπον εἰδέναι . Bornemann well remarks on the ‘Feinheit’ displayed in the choice of the word in the present passage: it is knowledge founded on ‘Einsicht’ that the writers have in view.
For an ‘official’ sense attaching toπροΐστασθαι in the papyri see P.Tebt. 5, 58 (2./b.c.) where it is applied to ‘the superintendents of the sacred revenues’ (τοῖς προστηκόσι τῶν ἱερῶν προσόδω[ν] ), cf. 53, 8 (2./b.c.); and for a similar use in the inscriptions see Dittenberger Sylloge2 318, 8 f. (2./b.c.), where, in an inscription found close to Thessalonica, a certain Μάαρκος is described as προϊστάμενος τῶν τε κατὰ κοινὸν πᾶσιν Μακεδόσιν συνθερόντων : cf. also O.G.I.S. 728, 4 (3./b.c.—from the Thebaid) προέστη τῶν κα[θʼ αὑτὸν] ἀξίως τῆς πόλεως . The word = ‘to practise in business’ is discussed by Field Notes p. 223 f.: in P.Petr. 3:73, 3:4 f. (undated) it is used of ‘the landlord’ of a lodging-house (τοῦ π[ρο]εστηκότος τῆς ... συνοικίας ).
Verse 13
13.καὶ ἡγεῖσθαι κτλ . ] The exact construction of these words is not unattended with difficulty. Many commentators render ‘hold them in love exceeding highly,’ connecting ἐν ἀγάπῃ closely with ἡγεῖσθαι on the ground of such partial parallels as ἔχειν τινα ἐν τινι (Romans 1:28, Thuc. 2:18, 3:9). But it is simpler to take the words in the order in which they stand, and to translate with the R.V. ‘esteem them exceeding highly in love,’ ἐν ἀγάπῃ being then a loose adjunct to the whole phrase ἡγ. αὐτ. ὑπερεκ .: cf. Job 35:2 τί τοῦτο ἡγήσω ἐν κρίσει ; The only difficulty is the somewhat strong sense ‘esteem’ (Thdt.: πλείονος ἀξιοῦν τιμῆς ) that is thus given to the generally colourless ἡγεῖσθαι , and for which Lft. can find no nearer parallel than Thuc. 2:42 τὸ ἀμύνεσθαι καὶ παθεῖν μᾶλλον ἡγησάμενοι ἢ τὸ ἐνδόντες σώζεσθαι ‘preferring rather to suffer in self-defence &c.’ It is supported however by the analogous use of εἰδέναι , (v. 12), and by the general warmth of tone of the whole passage: cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:15 note.
Forὑπερεκπερισσοῦ (ὑπερκπερισσῶς , WH. mg.) see note on 3:10.
If the more difficult but well-attestedἀν αὐτοῖς (àD*GP) is preferred, the meaning will then be ‘find your peace through them’ i.e. ‘through their leadership.’ In no case can we render ‘be at peace with (i.e. in your intercourse with) them’ (Vg. cum eis ), which would require μετʼ αὐτῶν (cf. Romans 12:18).
Verse 14
14, 15. A fresh series of instructions still addressed like the preceding to the whole company of believers, and calling upon the (stronger) ‘brethren’ to extend their aid towards those who are ‘weak.’
‘Further we call upon you, Brothers, to warn those who are neglecting their proper duties. Let the despondent be encouraged, and those who are still weak in faith be upheld. Cherish a spirit of forbearance towards all men, and take special care that, so far from yielding to the old spirit of revenge, you make it your constant effort to seek the good of all.’
14.νουθετεῖτε τ. ἀτάκτους ] Beza monete inordinatos rather than Vg. corripite inquietos. Ἄτακτος (ἅπ. λεγ . N.T.) primarily a military term applied to the soldier who does not remain in the ranks, and thence used more generally of whatever is out of order. In the present passage the special reference would seem to be to the idleness and neglect of duty which characterized certain members of the Thessalonian Church in view of the shortly-expected Parousia (Intr. p. 46 f.). Contrast the unbroken front over which St Paul rejoices in Colossians 2:5 χαίρων καὶ βλέπων ὑμῶν τὴν τάξιν καὶ τὸ στερέωμα τῆς εἰς Χριστὸν πίστεως ὑμῶν .
For the meaning ofἄτακτος see further Add. Note G.
The weak here can only be the spiritually weak (Thdt.τοὺς μὴ ἑδραίαν κεκτημένους πίστιν ): cf. Romans 14:1, 1 Corinthians 8:9; 1 Corinthians 8:11; 1 Corinthians 9:22.
Verse 15
15.ὁρᾶτε μή τις κτλ . ] ‘see that none pay back evil in return for evil to any one’: cf. Romans 12:17, 1 Peter 3:9. The saying, which reflects the teaching of our Lord in such a passage as Matthew 5:43 ff., is often claimed as a distinctive precept of Christianity, and, notwithstanding such isolated maxims from the O.T. as Exodus 23:4, Proverbs 25:21 f., and the lofty spirit occasionally found in heathen philosophers as in a Socrates (see Plato Rep. 1:335), it is certainly true that Christianity first made ‘no retaliation’ a practical precept for all, by providing the ‘moral dynamic’ through which alone it could be carried out.
On the durativeὁράω (cognate with our ‘beware’) see Moulton Prolegg. p. 110 f., and for ὁρᾶτε μή with the subj. cf. Matthew 18:10 (Burton § 2), also P.Oxy. 532, 15 (2./a.d.) ὅρα οὖν μὴ ἄλλως πράξης . If ἀποδοῖ (à*D bG) is read, it also must be taken as a subj., formed after the model of verbs in -όω (WM. p. 360 n.2). Both forms can be illustrated from the Κοινή , e.g. P.Par. 7, 11 (1./b.c.) ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀποδῷ , B.G.U. 741, 27 (2./a.d.) ἐὰν δὲ μὴ [ἀ]ποδοῖ : see further Crönert p. 216. The simple δοῖ is found in an illiterate fragment of the 3./b.c., P.Petr. 11. 9 (5), 5 ὅπως δοῖ .
Verse 16
16–22. From social duties the Apostles now pass to inculcate certain more directly religious duties.
‘At all times cherish a spirit of joyfulness; in unceasing prayer make known your every want; under all circumstances give thanks to God: for only in these ways can God’s purposes for you in Christ Jesus be fulfilled. With regard to the gifts of the Spirit, see to it that you do not quench them, or make light of prophesyings. At the same time do not accept these without discrimination. Rather bring everything to the test, and thus keep firm hold of the genuine, while you abstain from evil in whatever form it appears.’
16.πάντοτε χαίρετε ] an injunction striking the same glad note that is so often repeated in the Ep. to the other Macedonian Church (Philippians 2:18; Philippians 3:1; Philippians 4:4), its significance in the present instance being much increased in view of the sufferings already spoken of (1:6, 2:14, 3:2 ff.). For the paradox cf. Romans 5:3, 2 Corinthians 6:10, and for the true source of this joy see our Lord’s own words John 15:11; John 16:24; John 17:13. Leighton’s words (cited by Dods) may be recalled: ‘All spiritual sorrows, of what nature soever, are turned into spiritual joy: that is the proper end of them; they have a natural tendency that way.’
An interesting ex. of the spirit of joy ruling in the early Church is afforded by the names found in the inscriptions—Victor, Nice, Gaudentius, Gaudiosus, Hilaris, Hilaritas (Ramsay C. and B. 1. p. 493). See also Stanley Christian Institutions (1881) p. 250 f.
Verse 17
17.ἀδιαλείπτως προσεύχεσθε ] a second precept, not to be interpreted merely as showing how the former precept may be fulfilled, but an independent injunction in thorough accordance with St Paul’s constant teaching, cf. Romans 12:12, Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 4:2. For the absolute manner (ἀδιαλείπτως , 1:3 note) in which the precept is expressed see the note on 4:13, and for a striking commentary on it note the constantly interjected prayers in this and the later Ep. (Intr. p. 45).
For prayer as a part of Church-life cf. Didache 15:4τὰς δὲ εὐχὰς ὑμῶν ... ποιήσατε ὡς ἔχετε ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν , and for the conditions under which the whole life of the saint becomes μίαν συναπτομένην μεγάλην ... εὐχήν , see Orig. de Orat. 12:2 (ed. Koetschau) ‘ἀδιαλείπτῶς ’ δὲ προσεύχεται ... ὁ συνάπτων τοῖς δέουσιν ἔργοις τὴν εὐχὴν καὶ τῇ εὐχῇ τὰς πρεπούσας πράξεις .
Verse 18
18.ἐν παντὶ εὐχαριστεῖτε ] Vg. in omnibus gratias agite—ἐν παντί not being ‘on every occasion’ (Chrys.: ἀεί ), but ‘in all circumstances,’ even in persecutions and trials. Thdt.: μὴ μόνον ἐν τοῖς θυμήρεσιν, ἀλλὰ κᾀν τοῖς ἐναντίοις. οἶδε γὰρ τὸ συμφέρον ὁ μεγαλόδωρος . For a similar stress laid by St Paul on universal thanksgiving cf. Ephesians 5:20, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 3:17.
Forεὐχαριστεῖν see 1:2 note, and add the late use of the verb by which it is practically = εὔχεσθαι , as in the interesting Christian amulet (6./a.d.?) reproduced by Wilcken (Archiv 1. p. 431 ff.) where after an invocation to God and Christ and the holy Serenus the writer proceeds εὐχαριστῶ ... καὶ κλίνω τὴν κεφαλήν [μο]υ ... ὅπως διώξῃς ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ ... τὸν δαίμονα προβασκανίας . May we not have an earlier trace of this usage in P.Tebt. 56, 9 (late 2./a.d.) where the rendering ‘pray’ seems to suit the context better than the editors’ ‘give thanks’?
For the absence of the art. beforeεἰς ὑμᾶς ‘with regard to you’ as well as for the hyperbaton cf. Luke 7:30 τὴν βουλὴν τοῦ θεοῦ ἠθέτησαν εἰς ἑαυτούς (Field Notes p. 60).
Verse 19
19.τὸ πνεῦμα μὴ σβέννυτε ] in itself a perfectly general precept but, in view of the προφητείας of the next clause (see note), employed here with special reference to the charismatic gifts which had shown themselves at Thessalonica as afterwards at Corinth (1 Corinthians 12:14.). Against these apparently a reaction had arisen owing to a certain amount of ἀταξία in their exercise (see Intr. p. 34 and cf. 1 Corinthians 14:29 ff.), and consequently the Apostles found it necessary to warn their readers lest in their dread of over-enthusiasm the χαρίσματα should be extinguished altogether: cf. 2 Timothy 1:6 ἀναμιμνήσκω σε ἀναζωπυρεῖν τὸ χάρισμα τοῦ θεοῦ .
The use ofσβέννυτε (for form, WSchm. p. 124) is in accord with the frequent application of the metaphor of fire to the Spirit in Scripture (Acts 2:3; Acts 18:25, Romans 12:11; cf. Plut. de defect, orac. § 17, p. 419 b ἀποσβῆναι τὸ πνεῦμα ): while μή with the pres. imp. instead of the aor. subj. points to the necessity of desisting from a course of action already going on, as distinguished from avoidance of similar action in the future (Moulton Prolegg. pp. 122 f., 247).
Verse 20
20.προφητείας μὴ ἐξουθενεῖτε ] an injunction closely related to the foregoing (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:1 ζηλοῦτε δὲ τὰ πνευματικά, μᾶλλον δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε ), and pointing to the impassioned utterances regarding the deep things of God which so frequently showed themselves in the Early Church under the direct influence of the Spirit: cf. Acts 2:17; Acts 19:6, 1 Corinthians 12:10, Revelation 1:10, and see further McGiffert Apost. Age p. 526 ff.
The strong verbἐξουθενέω ‘set at naught,’ ‘make of no account’ (Suid.: ἀντʼ οὐδενὸς λογίζομαι ) is found in the N.T. only in Luke 3 and Paul8, and under the form ἐξουδενεῖν in Mark 1. In the LXX. it occurs in four forms ἐξουδενεῖν, -νοῦν, ἐξουθενεῖν, -οῦν : see Lobeck Phryn. p. 182.
Verse 21
21.πάντα [δὲ] δοκιμάζετε ] The connecting particle δέ , which is amply vouched for, ought probably to be retained here, its omission being easily explained through the influence of the following δο - . In any case whether δέ is retained or not, the whole clause stands in a certain limiting relation to the foregoing precepts: important as ‘gifts’ and ‘prophesyings’ are, they cannot be accepted unhesitatingly, but must be put to the test (cf. 1 John 4:1). Nothing is said as to how this διάκρισις πνευμάτων (1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 14:29) is to be effected, but it can only be by a ‘spiritual’ standard (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:13), and not by the ‘rational’ inquiry which is sometimes found here, and to which the ‘prove’ of A.V., R.V. lends a certain colour.
Forδοκιμάζω see the note on 2:4, and for the thought cf. Romans 12:2, Philippians 1:10.
Forκατέχω = ‘hold fast’ cf. Luke 8:15, 1 Corinthians 11:2; 1 Corinthians 15:2, Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 3:14; Hebrews 10:23, and see Add. Note H.
Verse 22
22.ἀπὸ παντὸς εἴδους κτλ . ] ‘from every form of evil abstain.’ This rendering may be criticized on two grounds—(1) it takes εἶδος in its quasi-philosophical sense of ‘kind,’ ‘species,’ which though frequent in class. writers and more especially in Plato, is not found elsewhere in the N.T., and (2) it treats πονηροῦ , though anarthrous, as a subst. But as regards (1), apart from such passages as Jos. Antt. 7. 80 (4. 2), 10. 37 (3. 1) εἶδος μέλους, πονηρίας , we have now confirmation of this more popular use of εἶδος from the papyri as when in P.Tebt. 58, 20 f. (2./b.c.) a taxgatherer undertakes to collect a wheat-tax ἀπὸ παντὸς εἴδους ‘from every class’; cf. P.Oxy. 237. 8:42 f. (2./a.d.) κατὰ κώμην καὶ κατʼ εἶδος ‘under villages and classes,’ and see P.Fay. 34, 6 f. (2./a.d.) where ἄλλα εἴδη may be used not of ‘other taxes’ but of ‘other kinds’ of produce on which a certain tax (μονοδεσμία ) was levied (see editors’ note ad loc.). While with reference to (2), the anarthrous use of the neut. sing. to denote abstract ideas is too frequent to cause any real difficulty, e.g. Genesis 2:9 τὸ ξύλον τοῦ εἰδέναι γνωστὸν καλοῦ κ. πονηροῦ , Hebrews 5:14 πρὸς διάκρισιν καλοῦ τε καὶ κακοῦ , and cf. Didache 3:1, apparently a reminiscence of the present passage, φεῦγε ἀπὸ παντὸς πονηροῦ κ. ἀπὸ παντὸς ὁμοίου αὐτοῦ .
The alternative rendering ‘abstain from every appearance of evil’ (R.V. marg.) has the advantage of takingεἶδος in the same sense as elsewhere in the N.T. (Luke 3:22; Luke 9:29, John 5:37, 2 Corinthians 5:7), but, if it is preferred, care must be taken not to impart into the word the idea of ‘semblance’ as opposed to ‘reality’: it is rather ‘appearance’ in the sense of ‘outward show,’ ‘visible form.’
Onἀπέχεσθαι ἀπό see 4:3 note, and on the more active idea of evil in πονηρός ‘malignant’ as compared with κακός ‘base’ see Trench Syn. § 84.
Commentators generally draw attention to the change fromτὸ καλόν to παντὸς εἴδους πονηροῦ , for while the good is one, evil has many forms; cf. Arist. Eth. Nic. 2:5. 14 ἔτι τὸ μὲν ἁμαρτάνειν πολλαχῶς ἐστίν, ... τὸ δὲ κατορθοῦν μοναχῶς .
It is also of interest to notice that vv. 21, 22 are frequently connected by early Christian writers with the agraphon ascribed to our Lordγίνεσθε δόκιμοι τραπεζῖται (for reff. see Suicer Thesaurus s.v. τραπεζίτης ), and it is at least possible that the writers of our Ep. had this saying of Jesus in mind here: see further Resch Agrapha pp. 116 ff., 233 ff., Paulinismus p. 408 f., Ropes Sprüche p. 142 f.
Verse 23
23, 24. ‘As however without God all your strivings must be in vain we pray that the God of peace Himself will sanctify you through and through, that the whole man may become God’s, each part preserved entire and without blame, and found so at the Parousia of the Lord Jesus. Nor need you have any fear regarding this. The very fact that it is God Who is calling is to you the pledge that He will not suffer His calling to become null and void.’
23.ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ] a frequent title at the close of the Pauline Epp. (Romans 15:33; Romans 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Philippians 4:9, (Hebrews 13:20); cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 ὁ κύρ. τ. εἰρ . .), and intended to bring out ‘the peace’ which is not only the one God’s characteristic attribute, but which it is His peculiar privilege to bestow, and which in the present passage gains in significance in view of the ἀταξία just spoken of.
For ‘Peace’ as a Talmudic Name of God see Taylor Sayings2 p. 25 f.; while as further illustrating the personal application of the term it may be noted that in P.Oxy. 41, 27 (3./4. a.d.) the prytanis at Oxyrhynchus is popularly acclaimed asεἰρήνη πόλεως .
For this ethical sense ofἁγιάζειν cf. Leviticus 11:44 ἁγιασθήσεσθε καὶ ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, ὅτι ἅγιός εἰμι ἐγώ , and for a full discussion of the word and its synonyms see Westcott Heb. p. 346 f. For ὁλοτελής (ἅπ. λεγ . N.T.) cf. Plut. Mor. 2:909 b, Dittenberger Sylloge2 376, 45 ἀνεισφορίαν, ἣν οὐδεὶς τῶν πρότερον Σεβαστῶν ὁλοτελῆ ἔδωκεν . The adv. ὁλοτελῶς , by which Suidas defines the common ὁλοσχηρῶς , is found in Aq. Deuteronomy 13:16 (17).
An interesting parallel to the use ofὁλόκληρος in the present passage is afforded by the magical papyrus P.Lond. 1. 121, 589 f. (3./a.d.) διαφύλασσε μου τὸ σῶμα τὴν ψυχὴν ὁλόκληρον , while its original meaning is seen in P.Oxy. 57, 13 f. (3./a.d.) ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὁλόκληρον (sc. ποιῆσαι ) τὴν ἐπίσκεψιν τῶν χωμάτων . The allied subst. ὁλοκληρία (cf. Acts 3:16) occurs in the sense of physical wholeness, health, e.g. B.G.U. 948, 2 ff. (4./5. a.d.) εὔχομε ... τὰ πε[ρὶ τ]ῆς ὑγίας σου καὶ ὁλοκληρίας σου χαίριν , and for the verb see P.Grenf. 1. 53, 4 f. (4./a.d.) ὅπως ὁλοκληροῦντα σὲ ἀπολάβομεν .
The trichotomist arguments based on the passage will be found fully stated by Ellicott The Destiny of the Creature, Serm. 5. with the accompanying Notes. For the more important inquiry how far St Paul may have been influenced here by Pharisaic theology see Wohlenberg ad loc., and cf. Jos. Antt. 1. 34 (1. 2). For the occurrence of the same trichotomy in Egyptian rites in the order ‘soul, body, spirit’ see the interesting note by Rev. F. E. Brightman in J.T.S. 2. p. 273 f.
It is not without interest to notice thatἀμέμπτως , which in the N.T. is confined to this Ep., occurs in certain sepulchral inscriptions discovered at Thessalonica, e.g. an inscription of 50 a.d. Εἰσιάδι τῇ συνβίωι ζησάσῃ ἀμέμπτως ἔτη ... [μνε]ίας χάριν (no. 30 Duchesne et Bayet Mission au Mont Athos p. 29).
Verse 24
24.πιστὸς ὁ καλῶν κτλ . ] Chrys.: Ὅρα τὴν ταπεινοφροσύνην. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ηὔξατο, μὴ νομίσητε, φησίν, ὅτι ἀπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν εὐχῶν τοῦτο γίνεται, ἀλλʼ ἐκ τῆς προθέσεως, ἧς ὑμᾶς ἐκάλεσεν . Beng.: ‘magnam hic versiculus exultationem habet.’
Forὁ καλ. ὑμ . which, as always in St Paul, can only refer to God cf. 2:12 note, and for πιστός in a similar connexion cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:3, 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 1:18, 2 Timothy 2:13, Hebrews 10:23; Hebrews 11:11, Deuteronomy 7:9, Isaiah 49:7, Pss. Sol. 14:1. The absolute use of ποιήσει is very striking, and sets in bold relief the doing with which God accompanies His calling: cf. Numbers 23:19 αὐτὸς εἴπας οὐχὶ ποιήσει ; Psalms 36. (37.) 5 ἔλπισον ἐπʼ αὐτόν, καὶ αὐτὸς ποιήσει . For a similar certitudo fidei on the part of St Paul cf. Romans 16:25, Philippians 1:6, and for a like spirit in later Jewish theology see Apoc. Bar. 13:3, ‘Thou shalt therefore be assuredly preserved to the consummation of the times.’
Verse 25
25–28. ‘Meanwhile, Brothers, in your prayers do not forget us. Convey our greetings with the customary holy kiss to all the Brothers. As regards this letter I charge that it be read aloud to all the Brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.’
25.Ἀδελφοί, προσεύχεσθε κτλ . ] Cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:1, and for a similar request see Romans 15:30, Ephesians 6:19, Colossians 4:3, Hebrews 13:18. If καί is read, it introduces the feeling of reciprocity—‘as we have prayed for you, do you also pray for us.’
Verse 26
26.Ἀσπάσασθε κτλ . ] an exhortation addressed like the preceding to the whole Church, and not only to those to whom the Ep. was directly sent, presumably the elders. Had any such restriction been intended, it could hardly fail to have been clearly notified, while any difficulty in the general application of the injunction owing to the use of τ. ἀδ. πάντας is met by the want of stress here attaching to πάντας (WSchm. p. 189), the whole phrase being practically equivalent to the more customary ἀλλήλους .
For the first mention of the ‘kiss of peace’ as a regular part of the Christian service see Just. M. Apol. 1:65ἀλλήλους φιλήματι ἀσπαζόμεθα παυσάμενοι τῶν εὐχῶν , and for full particulars of its liturgical use see art. ‘Kiss’ in Smith’s D.C.A., and Hauck RE.3 6. p. 274. In some parts of Greece the Easter-greeting (Χριστὸς ἀνέστη ) is still accompanied by the brotherly kiss.
Verse 27
27.Ἐνορκίζω ὑμᾶς κτλ . ] Ἐνορκίζω , not found elsewhere in the Bibl. writings except as a variant in 2 Esdr. 23. (13.) 25, is apparently a strengthened form of ὁρκίζω (for form, Rutherford N.P. p. 466 f.), and like it (Mark 5:17, Acts 19:3) is here construed with two accusatives: cf. I.M.A. 3. 1238 (Christian) ἐνορκίζω ὑμᾶς τὸν ὧδε ἐφεστῶτα ἄνγελον, μή τίς ποτε τολμή(σῃ) κτλ . , and see also Ramsay C. and B. 1. p. 734. For a similar usage of ἐξορκίζω see P.Leid. 5. 4. 31 (3./a.d.) ἐξορκίζω σε τὴν δύναμιν σου , and for ὁρκίζω τινά see Deissmann BS. p. 274 ff.
The presence of the adjuration in the present passage has been explained as due either to the Apostle’s deep sense of the importance of his Ep. to all without exception, or to a presentiment that a wrong use might be made of his name and authority as in 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Thessalonians 3:17, or to the fact that the reading of such letters had not yet been officially established. But after all no special reason need be sought. Writing as he did to explain his continued personal absence, and to enforce truths which he felt to be of vital importance to his converts, St Paul naturally took precautions to ensure that his letter should be read and circulated as Widely as possible: see Intr. p. 34, and for the change to the 1st pers. sing. to give the appeal a more personal character cf. 2:18, 3:5.
Tertullian is sometimes quoted as mentioning Thessalonica and Philippi as churches where the letters of the Apostles were read in the original (‘apud quas ipsae authenticae literae eorum recitantur’ de praescr. 36), but the reference to Thessalonica (‘habes Thessalonicenses’) is plainly an insertion, clumsy in form, and wanting in the best mss.
In the papyriἀναγιγνώσκειν is found = both ‘read’ and ‘read aloud.’ Thus for the latter sense cf. P.Grenf. 1. 37, 15 (2./b.c.) ἐπιλέγματος ἀναγνωσθέντος of the reading aloud of a petition, and P.Cairo 29. 3. 1 (2./a.d.) ἧς ἀναγνωσθείσης of the reading aloud of a will. On the other hand the word must mean simply ‘read’ in B.G.U. 1079 (cited 4:1 note), and in P.Fay. 20, 23 (3.–4./a.d.) where it refers to copies of an edict set up in public places σύνοπτα τοῖς ἀναγιγνώσκουσιν ‘in full view of those who wish to read.’
Verse 28
28.Ἡ χάρις κτλ . ] a concluding benediction in which the favourite Pauline conception of ‘grace’ takes the place of the ordinary epistolary ἔρρωσο (ἔρρωσθε) or ἐρρῶσθαί σε (ὑμᾶς) εὔχομαι : cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:18, Romans 16:20, 1 Corinthians 16:23.
A shorter formἡ χάρις μεθʼ ὑμῶν is found in Colossians 4:18, 1 Timothy 6:21, 2 Timothy 4:22, Titus 3:15 (add πάντων ), while this is expanded in various ways in Galatians 6:18, Ephesians 6:24, Philippians 4:23. The full trinitarian benediction occurs in 2 Corinthians 13:13.
The liturgicalἀμήν is found in a.d.bcKLP &c.: cf. 3:13 note.
Chrysostom.