Author: Administrador

“The one who is unwilling to work, shall not eat” (2 Ths 3:10; NIV2011). In today’s heated climate of disputes over universal healthcare and a social safety net, this verse has seemingly taken on a life of its own. Opponents dispute the meaning of this verse and quarrel over people’s intentions and probable outcomes. There … Continue reading “2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Commentary by Mariam Kamell”

Last Sunday’s reading opened on a note of “thanksgiving” (1:2). Today’s in contrast turns to a “begging” appeal (2:1; the NRSV disguises this literary contrast by delaying the “we beg you” until much later in the sentence.) Paul is getting down to brass tacks; the “occasion” of the letter now occupies center stage. In typical … Continue reading “2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 Commentary by James Boyce”

A worried, upset congregation leaves no one at ease Once rumors get going of what one leader said, or a special few’s interpretation of how events really transpired, or any other sort of disturbance sweeps through a church causing confusion and fracture, it is difficult and absolutely essential to put them to rest in a … Continue reading “2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 Commentary by Mariam Kamell”

Paul’s Second letter to the Thessalonians has an interesting history. While there is certainly debate about its authorship, there are certainly Pauline themes here. Reading through the other texts for this Sunday, there is a heavier theme of death and resurrection; questions about the afterlife. When I read through 2 Thessalonians 2, I get a … Continue reading “2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 Commentary by Erick J. Thompson”

A Matter of Timing What circumstances have occasioned this apparent second letter to the Thessalonians? Just how much “time” has passed since the arrival of the first? Such questions of “timing” may arise for a modern reader who notes, among other things, the almost verbatim mirroring of this letter’s greeting with that of the first … Continue reading “2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 Commentary by James Boyce”

When I was young, a cousin and I were pen pals for about four years. And so it was I learned the now-rapidly-disappearing art of letter opening: “Dear cousin, Hi! How are you? I am fine.” And from there the letter progressed. That sense of formula always got me into the letter writing format, reminding … Continue reading “2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 Commentary by Mariam Kamell”

In 2 Thessalonians, after the greeting, the author writes, “we must always give thanks.” Two textual notes here: First, thanks is not something to be done once, but something to be done continually. Second, this opening differs from 1 Thessalonians in that there is an “ought” added to 2 Thessalonians. If Paul is the writer … Continue reading “2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 Commentary by Erick J. Thompson”

This passage connects being made completely holy (oloklēron) with the coming parousia of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Paul’s conviction is that “the God of peace” will keep the “spirit and soul and body” blameless during the cataclysmic return of Christ. Earlier, Paul has described what the return will look like: “the Lord … Continue reading “1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Commentary by L. Ann Jervis”

Once again, on this Third Sunday of Advent, we have an appeal, now from Paul, to a community of faith about the way it is to live in the world. As you know, these verses come from the oldest text in the New Testament, Paul’s first letter, and is addressed to a community he particularly … Continue reading “1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Commentary by Dirk G. Lange”

“Rejoice always.” The third Sunday in Advent has traditionally been known as Gaudete Sunday, taken from the opening of the Psalm appointed for the day so long ago. That Psalm began with the Latin command to rejoice. Today’s reading from the epistles also begins with the command to rejoice. In this reading, which is the … Continue reading “1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Commentary by Lucy Lind Hogan”