Exegesis of 1 Thessalonians 4 13-18 - 2295 Words

Exegesis of 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 Historical Context Situated near the site of Therma on the Thermaic Gulf, Thessalonica was located near the northermost reaches of the Aegean Sea. â€Å"The ancient city was founded in Macedonia (a region that encompassed roughly the northern half of the Greek peninsula) about 315 b.c. by Cassander, who named it after his wife, Thessalonica, the daughter of Philip II and sister of Alexander the Great.† (Martin, 1995, p.21) Enjoying the status of a ‘free’, self-governing city (although still under Roman control), Thessalonica was the most inï ¬â€šuential city in Macaedonia. The city functioned as a very important trade city, as it was located on the Via Egnatia trade route (the major east-west highway†¦show more content†¦Introduction to the main body of teaching (verses 1-2). Paul takes the time to change the subject from the previous exhortations to the matters at hand, most likely the matters which the church had requested further teaching on. 2. Instruction on sexual behavior (verses 3-8). Paul brieï ¬â€šy lays out a positive case for sexual purity. Rather than listing the practices not to engage in, Paul outlines the positive motivations for believers to restrain themselves sexually; - That believers should be sanctiï ¬ ed, ie set apart from the world. That our behavior should not mirror that of the secular world around us - That God has called us to be Holy. We do not jus t aim to be set apart from men, but also to do the will of God. God has called us to use our bodies in a way which gloriï ¬ es him, and not for our own pleasures. 3. Instruction to avoid gossip and laziness. Paul here repeats an idea that he ï ¬ rst mentioned in chapter 2 - that as Christians, we are right to work for our own support and not to rely on others to shoulder our burdens. He further exhorts them to â€Å"mind their own business† (v.11 NIV), which is most likely a reference to those amongst the church who were gossips or ‘busybodies’. â€Å"Paul may have written these words thinking of the idle busybodies he mentioned in 5:14 and 2 Thess 3:11–13.† (Martin, 1995, p. 136) 4. Instruction and comfort regarding the return of Christ and the future of thoseShow MoreRelatedA Practical Apocalypse1894 Words   |  8 PagesThe purpose of this essay is to exegetically examine 1st Thessalonians 5:1-11. In this exercise I will seek to elucidate th e intention of the author in writing as he has and to show how the specific subject matter of these verses interrelates with the major themes of the Epistle. That Paul is the author of 1st Thessalonians is almost undisputed. Green is in agreement with Wanamaker who comments, No contemporary scholars of repute seem to doubt the Pauline character of the letter. The positionRead More Matthew 17: 1-13 Essay3271 Words   |  14 PagesIntroduction The passage of this exegetical paper, Matthew 17:1-13, is the narrative of the transfiguration of Jesus on a mountain with three of His disciples Peter, James and John as witnesses. Literary Criticism Context Matthew 16:21-28, the passage before mine, Jesus had revealed to His disciples His upcoming suffering, death and resurrection. He informed them that His followers would have to take up their cross to be with Him. Carrying your cross in that period of time meant a torturousRead MoreAnalysis of the Message of the New Testament2322 Words   |  10 Pages Bruce was a lifelong New Testament scholar who has authored â€Å"many critical and devotional works, and serves as Editor for THE NEW INTERNATIONAL COMMENTARY ON THE NEW TESTAMENT† (back cover). He was Ryland’s Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at the University of Manchester (back cover). Summary The single, most prominent message of the New Testament is that Jesus Christ is Lord is developed by Bruce from a â€Å"roughly chronological† order as he details the gradual development from the