Today, we will finish reading the First Epistle to the Thessalonians. This was an early, or even the first epistle written by St. Paul and I would like to look at two characteristics not shared by the other epistles.
Firstly, in this epistle, St. Paul did not quote from the Hebrew Scripture or the Septuagint. In his latter epistles, St. Paul habitually quoted from the Hebrew Scripture to decorate his points. Sometimes, I doubt if his readers were familiar enough with these Hebrew materials and the Hebrew logic. Yet, St. Paul quoted the Hebrew Scripture and argued like a Pharisee. But these epistles were supposed to be written for the Gentile readers like us. Other than showing off his Pharisaic background, I do not see why St. Paul quoted Hebrew scriptures in his epistles written for the Gentiles. For those of us who are not quite familiar with the Jewish logic, it is difficult to see how quoting some rather "irrelevant" passages helped develop his arguments. We find not a single quotation in theFirst Epistle to the Thessalonians.
Secondly, some of the ideas expressed in this Epistle would be more fully developed later. Check any bible with cross-reference, for example the online Chinese Bible 「網上【思高版】聖經」. We will find that nearly every verse in this epistle finds its echo in other Pauline epistles.
For example, in advising the Thessalonians to be sober, Paul employed a military image which he developed more fully some twelve years later in his epistle to the Ephesians.
But, since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8).
Therefore take the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace;
besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:13-17).
Paul employed the image of a thief to describe the sudden end of the world. This idea also appeared in the Second Epistle of Peter and the Revelation. But the most telling of all is that found in the gospel of Luke. Luke was a partner of St. Paul. It is no wonder that Paul's ideas have crept imperceptibly into the world ofLuke.
For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2).
But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.
You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour (Luke 12:39-40, Matthew 24:43-44).
Of course, St. Paul does not have the exclusive right so that other New Testament authors might not use this image. I am afraid this image was quite popular.
For example, in advising the Thessalonians to be sober, Paul employed a military image which he developed more fully some twelve years later in his epistle to the Ephesians.
But, since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8).
Therefore take the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace;
besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:13-17).
Paul employed the image of a thief to describe the sudden end of the world. This idea also appeared in the Second Epistle of Peter and the Revelation. But the most telling of all is that found in the gospel of Luke. Luke was a partner of St. Paul. It is no wonder that Paul's ideas have crept imperceptibly into the world ofLuke.
For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2).
But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.
You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour (Luke 12:39-40, Matthew 24:43-44).
Of course, St. Paul does not have the exclusive right so that other New Testament authors might not use this image. I am afraid this image was quite popular.
In this epistle, we find many pieces of good advice. In the dealing with people, St. Paul advised the Thessalonians the following.
And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15).
I find his advice appropriate even for my dealing with students. In particular, I must try to be patient with them all because this year, I am the class teacher of a class of weaker students. As for attitude, St. Paul gave the following advice.
Rejoice always,
pray constantly,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
We should be grateful in all circumstances. Grateful when things follow our ideas and grateful even when we are frustrated. Bear in mind that though life is smooth or frustrating, it is the will of God to prepare ourselves to enjoy eternal life.
And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15).
I find his advice appropriate even for my dealing with students. In particular, I must try to be patient with them all because this year, I am the class teacher of a class of weaker students. As for attitude, St. Paul gave the following advice.
Rejoice always,
pray constantly,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
We should be grateful in all circumstances. Grateful when things follow our ideas and grateful even when we are frustrated. Bear in mind that though life is smooth or frustrating, it is the will of God to prepare ourselves to enjoy eternal life.
Dear Lord, school has begun. I pray for my students. May they grow up and grow close to You day by day. I pray for my colleagues. May they find satisfaction in their job. Amen.
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