Insights on Covenant Community in Thessalonica
By Jonathan Mitchell
(Observations from 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1)
This short study will unpack what Paul says in 1 Thes. 1. The expanded translation (of the JMNT) will shed light as we consider alternate renderings of the Greek text.
1. Paul, Silvanus (or: = Silas; D reads: Silbanos), and Timothy, to the called-out community of the Thessalonians within, in union with, and centered in, God our Father, even (or: and) [the] Lord Jesus Christ: Grace, and Peace of the Joining (or: joyous Favor and harmony with the absence of conflict in joined, peaceful prosperity) to you [other MSS add: from God, our Father and Lord, Jesus Christ (or: God our Father, and {the} Owner, Jesus {the}Anointed)].
The first thing that we want to point out, is that Paul presents to his listeners the fact that they are in two locations: physically, they live in Thessalonica; but spiritually, they dwell within God, their Father. That prepositional phrase "within God our Father," uses the Greek preposition 'en," and on offer are three functions of its semantic range of meaning. The first, "within," speaks to their being located in God. The second, "in union with," speaks to their relationship with God. The third, "centered in," speaks to the sphere of where their spiritual lives are centered, focused, and metaphorically "grounded."
Paul begins by expressing solidarity with those with him, and that the ensuing message comes from all of them. As elsewhere, I have here rendered the phrases in which he refers to God and Jesus by giving two possible renderings of the Greek conjunction, 'kai," which join them: "and," or "even." Was Paul regarding them as a unity, or as separate? When Jesus "ascended to the Father" (John 20:17), did He assume an identity and solidarity with Him as He said that He had with His brothers, in Matt. 25:40? Did He take on the relationship with His People that Yahweh had with Israel?
As Yahweh styled Himself as the Husband of Israel, so does Christ have His People as His Bride. Is the anthropomorphic metaphor of "father," here, more one of functional relationship, as with husband/wife, rather than ontological relationship? If this were an ontological statement, does Paul mean that the Thessalonians were within, or in union with, only the Two of Them, and not with the Holy Spirit? Here, of course, I jest in making reference to Trinitarian theology. Recall that Paul said that he "travailed in birth again" for those of Galatia (Gal. 4:19). I suggest that we keep an open mind when reading such phrases as these in vs. 1. The Jews referred to Abraham as their father. Was Paul's Jewish background coming through here in showing high regard for Jesus by applying the term "Father" to Him?
That Paul says that God is "our Father" tells us that we are a part of God's Family. Consider what Paul said to the Athenians, in Acts 17:
27. "to be continuously seeking God, since really, in fact, they could feel about and grope, and then at some point might (or: possibly) find Him! And, to be sure, [He] is continuously being an Originator (or: He is constantly subsisting, being inherently [the] Under-Beginner; = [the ground of Being]) not far away (or: a long distance) from each one of us!
28. "For you see, within the midst of, and in union with, Him we continuously live (or, as a subjunctive: could be constantly living), and are constantly moved about and put into motion, and continue existing (experiencing Being). Even as certain of the poets down among you people have said, 'You see, we are also a family of the One (or: we even continuously exist being a race whose source is the One; or: we also are His species and offspring; we are even a family which is composed of the One and which is the One).' [a quote of Aratos and of Keleanthes; cf Eph. 3:15]
29. "Therefore, continuously and inherently subsisting from under a beginning, being God's family (a species of God; a race whose source is God; [the] kind of being having the qualities and characteristics of God; [the] offspring birthed from God..."
The phrase, "Peace of the Joining" is a conflation, since the Greek word for peace comes from the verb that means "to join." We see this explained, concerning God"s new economy, in Eph. 2, where Paul is speaking of the former two categories, according to Israel's world view, of humanity being composed of either the circumcision, or the uncircumcision (vss. 11-12). And then, in this same chapter, Paul goes on to say,
13. But NOW, within, in union with, and centered in, Christ Jesus, you - the folks once being (continuously existing) far off (or: at a distance) - came to be (were birthed; are generated; are suddenly become) near, immersed within, and centered in union with, the blood of the Christ (or: from the Anointed One [= the Messiah]). [cf Gal. 3:28]
14. You see, He Himself is our Peace (or: continuously exists being our JOINING and harmony [of Israel with the Gentiles]) - the One making (forming; constructing; creating; producing) The Both [to be] one, and within His flesh (= physical being; or: = system-caused crucifixion) is instantly destroying (unbinding; unfastening; loosing; causing to collapse) the middle wall of the fenced enclosure (or: of the partition; which was the barrier): the enmity (cause of hate, alienation, discord and hostility; characteristics of an enemy),
15. rendering useless and inoperative (nullifying; rendering down in accord with inactivity and unemployment; abolishing) the Law (or: the custom; = the Torah) of the implanted goals (or: concerning impartations of the finished product within; from commandments; which was inward directives) consisting in decrees (or: prescribed ordinances and dogmas which are the results of opinions and perceptions of what seems right or good), to the end that He may frame (create; found and settle from a state of wildness and disorder) The Two into One qualitatively New and Different [p46 & others: common] Humanity centered within the midst of, and in union with, Himself, continuously making (progressively creating, constructing and forming) Peace by a Joining; [2 Cor. 5:17; note: these verses, may fit John Milbank"s phrase, "an ontology of peace"]
16. and then should fully transfer, from a certain state to another which is quite different, The Both - centered in, and within the midst of, One Body in God (or: make completely other, while moving away from what had existed, and fully reconcile The Both, in one Body, by, to, with and for God), through the cross (execution stake) - while, in the midst of Himself, killing the enmity and discordant hatred (or: killing-off the characteristics of enemies within it). [cf Rom. 6:6; 1 Cor. 10:17; Eph. 4:4; Col. 3:15]
Observe how much can be unpacked from just one verse, here in 1 Thes. 1, and take note of Paul's use of the preposition, 'en," in all three NT writings, cited above. He holds a consistent view, throughout, with his statement to the unbelievers in Acts 17 being included. But now, to the next verse of 1 Thes. 1:
2. We are always continuously experiencing the well-being of Grace in God, and are mindful of the Favor of goodness and ease with God, which encircles and surrounds all of you folks (or: We are constantly always expressing gratitude and feeling thankful to, and for, God concerning you all), continuously making mention of you folks upon our thinking and speaking towards having things be well (or: remembering and being mindful of you people at [times of] our prayers) in regard to [cf 1 Thes. 5:17; Rom. 1:9-10]
3. your incessantly remembering (or: being mindful, without leaving-off throughout,) of our Lord Jesus Christ's act of Faithfulness (the process of the trust; the work from the loyalty) - even of the wearisome toil from the Love (or: the beating and cutting off involved with the acceptance, and with the urge toward union; the burdensome labor of the total giving of the self to [others]), and of the persistent, patient endurance from the Expectation, in front of our God and Father (or: unceasingly mentioning, in the presence of our God and Father, the process of your faith {or: the work which is conviction and trust} and of the love's exhausting toil {or: the hard labor that is love, characterized by unambiguous acceptance}, as well as of steadfast remaining under for support of {or: pertaining to} our Lord Jesus Christ's expectation {or: the expectant hope which is our Lord Jesus, [the] Anointed}).
On offer, in the first clause of vs. 2, are two functions of the dative case of the word, "God." The experiencing the well-being of Grace is "in God" (this function is called the local dative). I conflated this with another meaning of "grace," i.e., as a "favor." Thus, the second rendering is, "are mindful of the Favor of goodness and ease WITH God" (the associative dative). Most readings make sense. But there is still the parenthetical expansion which offers the more common rendering of the verb, as, "expressing gratitude and feeling thankful to God." Together with this last rendering are two more functions of the dative: "to, and for" God. Following the phrase, "goodness and ease with God," I prefer the rendering "which encircles and surrounds" for the Greek preposition, 'peri," to the secondary meaning of "concerning," in the parenthetical expansion, but now you may choose, as the Spirit speaks to you. In the last clause of vs. 2, you are also given the literal meaning of the Greek noun "pros-eu-che" (thinking and speaking towards having things be well) first, and the common rendering as "prayers" in the parenthetical expansion.
Verse 3 is offered as two completely different readings of the Greek text. The first one puts the focus on "our Lord Jesus Christ's act of Faithfulness," then characterizing this act (being the cross) as "the wearisome toil from the Love (etc.) and of the persistent, patient endurance from the Expectation, in front of our God and Father." In other words, Paul is speaking of the Thessalonians "incessantly remembering" of the Christ Event... His death."
The parenthetical option offers the more traditional rendering, which focuses on Paul's audience, rather than on Christ. It all depends upon how one reads the Greek syntax of this verse. The first rendering speaks of Christ's work; the second of the audience's work. The "persistent, patient endurance from the Expectation" was the enduring of the cross for the joy set before Him - Heb. 12:2.
5. how that the message of the goodness of, and from, our God (or: our God's Good News; the message of ease and well-being, which is God; [other MSS: the good news from us]) was not birthed into you only in the sphere of Logos, and within Word, Thought, Reason, Blueprint, and pattern-forming Information, but rather also, within inherent Power, in the sphere of the means of Influence, centered in Ability, and in union with Potentiality - even within a set-apart Breath-effect (or: in union with [the] Holy Spirit; in the midst of a Sacred Breath) - as well as in much assurance having been brought to full measure, according as you have seen and perceived (or: by extensive, absolute certainty and with much bearing and wearing to the full, just as you know and are aware). Of such sort we were birthed (produced; brought to be) to, for, and among, you for your sakes (because of you folks).
The main idea of vs. 4 is their "election" - "how that the message (Good News, etc.) was birthed" into them. What a wonderful thing to know and perceive about ourselves, that we are in fact a product of His love, and that He still loves us and has picked us out for His purpose in our lives. We have been elected to serve humanity, to lay down our lives for them, and to inform them that they, too, have been loved by God (for God thus loves the world - John 3:16) and that He has a chosen purpose for them, as well. It was not only "in the sphere of Logos (Word, etc. - vs. 5)," but also "within inherent Power, in the sphere of the means of Influence, centered in Ability, and in union with Potentiality." On offer in this last collection of phrases, are the potential meanings of the preposition "en," and the various meanings of the word, "dunamis" (Power, Ability, means of Influence, and Potentiality).
Notice the "divine passive" of the verb "birthed." That was an act of God which happened "within a set-apart Breath-effect (or: in union with [the] Holy Spirit)." This brought into them "much assurance" which had been "brought to full measure" - according as [they] had seen and perceived. He is referencing their birth experience "within pattern-forming Information." Paul and his associates were also "birthed" (or, brought to be) upon the scene and into their lives, Paul and his associates being people of the sort which he just described, entering to, for and among the group to which he is now writing. Another way of saying how they were produced (by the Spirit) is that the Blueprint was presented "by extensive, absolute certainty and with much bearing and wearing to the full!" This was the work of the Word, in union with the Spirit, carried out through His body, i.e., through Paul and his associates. With this birthing, a new relationship developed between them.
6. Then further, within the midst of much pressure (or: centered in profound squeezing; or: accompanied by great oppression and affliction) you yourselves were birthed (produced, made to be) imitators of us, and of the Lord, upon receiving (taking in hand and welcoming) the Word (or: Logos; Reason; Idea; Pattern-forming Thought; Blueprint; message;) together with [the] Joy of [the] set-apart Breath-effect (or: in company with Joy from a Holy Spirit; or: [the] Sacred Breath's joy; or: accompanied by a joy which is different from the common attitude),
This verse restates and amplifies what he had just said in vs. 5, adding that the "Pattern-forming Thought/message" had given birth to them so that they were "made to be imitators" of Paul, etc., AND of the Lord! The Joy from the Holy Spirit was "together with" the Logos that impregnated them. It was a joy that was "different from the common attitude" (this is another meaning of "set-apart" or "holy" - it is different from what is normal.
7. so that you folks became a pattern for, and in (or: a model [other MSS: models] to), all those constantly trusting, habitually being loyal, progressively believing, and continuing faithful, within Macedonia and in Achaia.
Their lives, being responses to the Life and Spirit that are in the Word (My words are spirit and they are Life - Jn. 6:63), became witnesses to the surrounding regions. Other folks could look at them, and see Christ.
We should notice that the Person, character and qualities of Christ is the pattern, the spiritual DNA, which is passed on from person to person, from generation to generation - as a grain of wheat that falls into the ground and dies, and then produces a lot more grains of wheat, all in the same likeness and with the same DNA.
8. You see, from you people, the Word of the Lord (or: the Logos from [Yahweh]; or: the Lord's Blueprint and Pattern-forming flow of Information; this Idea, Reason, and the conveyance of this Meaning-bearing Information, which is the Master) has been loudly sounded forth, and it continues ringing out, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but even more, within every place, your faith, faithfulness, and trust, toward God (or: the faith and this loyalty from you, face to face with God) have gone forth, and these continue going out, so that we have no need to be speaking anything!
Notice that it is not their works that was "loudly sounded forth," but it was "the Word of the Lord." The spreading of the reign of God is through the sounding forth of the Word - the message, which is the Christ - and they had done this, and thus was the Seed and Pattern spread to other areas who had heard of their life of faith. Thus, they had taken over for Paul and the others: a perfect example of the good news spreading through reproduction. Yet, Paul specifies in what form this came to those other regions: it was their faith, their faithfulness, and their trust toward God... living lives that were "face to face with God." They had become "living epistles" (2 Cor. 3:2-3).
9. For it follows that, they themselves are continuously reporting, concerning us, of what sort an entrance (or: introduction) we had toward you, and how you turned about, away from the idols (forms; images seen; external appearances; pagan concepts and world views), toward, and face to face with, God, to continuously be a slave to, for, in, and with, a Living and True (or: Real; Genuine) God, [cf Ps. 42:2]
Being born again, by the Word and the Spirit, brings changes into a person's life. It is still "God who does the work in us" (Phil. 2:13), but being a slave connotes performing the will of the Owner, Who is a Living and True God. We have Christ's life as our pattern, and that is why we take up our crosses and follow Him (Mat. 16:24). And being now a part of the Christ (a branch of the Vine - Jn. 15:1), Heb. 10:9 applies to our lives, too:
"Consider! I am arriving to do (form; make; perform; produce) Your will (purpose; intent; resolve; what You want), O God!"
The work of the sent-forth folks (Paul, etc.) has come full circle and is now being reported back to them that which involved they themselves and their work in Thessalonica. It is a report of changed lives that have by the Spirit been devoted to become slaves to, for, in, and with, the real God. Since Jesus had taken on the form of a slave (Phil. 2:7), and had performed as such to the disciples (John 13:4-5), I included the associative function of the dative case, thus, "with the living and real God." Jesus is the same today as He was then, still serving humanity although being Lord of all. And thus does Paul describe us as being "God's fellow-workers" (1 Cor. 3:9).
10. even to constantly dwell, remain and stay up [with; in] (or: abide back again [in]; fully lodge [in]; [p46vid: remain constant, firm, and persevere, under])His Son from the heavens (or: His Son, whose origin is from the midst of the atmospheres), Whom He raised from out of the midst of the dead folks, Jesus, the One constantly rescuing (or: repeatedly and progressively dragging) us to Himself from out of the midst of [other MSS: away from] the repeatedly (or: periodically; continuously; progressively) coming and going inherent fervor (or: violent emotion; mental disposition; teeming desire; passionate impulse; or: natural bent; ire or agitation; or: anger; rage; wrath) [of, or from, the domination Systems]. [cf 1 Thes. 5:9; Mat. 3:7; Lu. 21:23; Rom. 2:5, 8; 5:9]
These folks now lived in the heavens (the atmosphere), having returned to their source, Christ, Who continuously inhabits our atmosphere. Their physical existence had not moved, but their spirits and attitudes had. They were now citizens of the Jerusalem which is above, who is their mother (Gal. 4:26). They had been raised up and seated with Christ (Eph. 2:6).
Note that Paul identifies God's Son, the Christ, as Jesus. He is the One that is continuously and progressively drawing and dragging us to Himself (Jn. 12:32) from out of the midst of the situations of violent emotion, inherent fervor, etc., that is repeatedly and periodically coming. It was then presently coming to them, coming progressively closer with the passing days. But it is something that habitually comes, to test, try and bring improvements to people - just as it did with Job. This is no "once at the end of the world" thing, as history has shown us. It constantly comes and goes (the Greek 'erchomai" means both "to come" and "to go").
Yes, folks, this is how we "do" it. 1 Jn. 2:24.
"As for you folks, let what you originally heard (heard from [the] beginning) be continuously remaining (abiding; dwelling) within you (or: keep on staying, as being at home, centered among, and in union with, you folks). When (or: If ever) that which you heard from [the] beginning would remain (should abide; can dwell; may stay and make its home) within you, you yourselves, also, will continue remaining (be habitually abiding; keep on dwelling; be permanently staying at home) within the Son, even within the midst of, and in union with, the Father! (or: you folks will proceed residing both centered in the sphere of the Son and centered in the sphere of the Father)."
Jonathan
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