NTS 501 NT Intro and Survey

Class X: Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians

1.1 Introduction to Colossians Cosmic perspective & everyday

living• From creation (1:15-17) to eschaton (3:4)• Everyday living (3:1-4:1)

Magnificence of Christ• “empty philosophy”• “elemental principles of the universe”

Paul does not try to argue, he points to Christ

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

1.2 Historical Background• Colossae – smaller town & in decline

Destroyed in earth quake AD 61

• Valley of Lycus River • Textile industry (scarlet-dyed wool)

• Mystery religions Cybele – gods of sun, moon, stars

• Hellenized Jews• Church started by Epaphras (1:7-8)

Paul never met (2:1; cf. Acts 16:6; 18:23; 19:1)

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

2.1 Authorship; provenance; situation One of last authentic or earliest

ps.pigrapha• Disputed letter b/c

Similarities w/ Ephesians (see p. 330)• Did Paul write both? Col usually thought to be earlier

Similarities w/ Phlm –from prison; same coauthors (Paul & Tim); many same people mentioned (Col 1:17/Phlm 23; Col 4:10/Phlm 24; 4:10, 14/24)• Did Paul write both or Phlm used as a template for Col.?

Style & vocabulary – cf. Ephesians More developed theological ideas

• Did Paul develop the themes over time or disciples? • See details p. 363

How much latitude granted to Paul in developing his thought & theology

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

Provenance• Written by Paul from Roman prison

AD 60 Probably b/f AD 61 earthquake

• Disciple of Paul Timothy soon after Paul’s death? (late AD

60s) Later admirer in ‘Pauline school’ (AD 80s)

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

Situation• To counter the “Colossian heresy”

“plausible arguments” (2:4) “philosophy and empty deceit” (2:8) “elemental spirits of the universe” (2:8,

20) Worship of angels OR with angels (2:18)• Merkabah mysticism (cf. Ezek 1:4-28)

Ascetic practices (2:18; 2:21) Ritual observances (2:16; 2:21 cf. 2:11)

Something more than Christ is needed for “fullness”

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

2.2 Themes in Colossians The Cosmic Christ (1:15-20), not debated• Ruler of the universe (1:15-17)• Savior if humans – reconciles all things

(1:20)• Agents of creation & redemption (1:14-16)• Firstborn & image of invisible God (1:15)

‘fullness’ of deity dwells in Christ (1:19; 2:9)

• Why emphasis on cosmic Christ? Christ’s power of cosmic spiritual forces Christ rules them & has disarmed them (2:10, 15) “fullness in Christ” – no need for rituals, angel

worship, circumcision, ‘deeper knowledge’

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

Realized eschatology; eternal perspective• Believers already rescued (1:13)• Spiritual power already disarmed (2:15)• Already raised w/ Christ (2:12; 3:1)

• The purpose of realized eschatology? Absolute certainty of God’s work Already true – but perceived through faith (2:12) Eternal perspective defines current values (3:1ff.) “elemental principles” have no control over

believers

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

Knowledge and Maturity (1:9-10, 28; 2:2; 4:12)• Gospel grows & bears fruit (1:5-6)• They have knowledge (1:7; 2:6-7)• “all…wisdom & knowledge” in Christ (2:3)

Heresy – “appearance of wisdom” (2:23) “human way of thinking” (2:18)

• Growth comes from God (2:19)• Body, head, Christ – growth (1:18, 22-24; 2:17, 19)

Growth & maturity = remaining steadfast (2:6-7)

• Fruit – putt off old, put on new (3:1-4:1)

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

3.1 Introduction 1 Thessalonians Popular themes• Rapture theology proof text (4:17)• Complete sanctification (5:23)• Final exhortations (5:15-24)

• What about enduring severe persecution?

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

3.2 Historical Background Capital of Macedonia• Most important city of the region

Up to 100,000 inhabitants

• Best natural harbor in the region• Important religious center

Shrines of e.g. Isis, Osiris, Serapis, Cabirus etc.

• Paul in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1) Stay of several months Preached in synagogue (Acts 17:2-4) Thessalonian church mainly gentile (1:9) Paul worked “night & day” in insula (2:9; Acts 18:3)

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

3.3 Authorship; provenance; purpose Undisputed Paul’s letter• Written b/w AD 49-52 from Corinth

Purpose• Cement the good relations w/ the church• Instruct on parousia (4:11-5:13)• Stand firm in persecution (1:6; cf. Acts

17:10)

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

3.4 Themes of 1 Thessalonians Paul – connection & conduct (1:5; 2:1-12)• Courage & non-compromise (2:2-6)• Hard work (2:8-9)• Family imagery – ‘as nursing mother’ (2:7, 11,

17) Sibling terminology (1:4; 2:1, 9, 14, 17; 3:2, 7; 4:1,

6,9, 10, 13; 5:1, 12, 26) Gk. adelphoi x18 (cf. in Phil x9)

• Why this emphasis? Defensive posture? Vindicate his motives? Paul as a model of conduct

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

Countering persecution and shame (1:6; 3:3)

• Christians’ new conduct led to ostracism Disassociation from religious and civic rituals Accused of irreligious, unpatriotic, antisocial Shame, loss of social prestige

• Paul’s encouragement for the dishonored Honor in God’s eyes (1:6-10) Honor among believers – “your faith…known” (1:7-9) True nature of their opponents (2:2; 4:5; 5:3-5) Build up & love each other (3:12-4:1, 9-11, 18; 5:11, 14) Live peacefully: work & mind own business (4:11-12) Do good to each other and outsiders (5:15) God’s justice & ultimate reward (5:9; 1:10; 3:3)

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

Everyday ethic – “how to please God” (4:1)

• Sexuality – be ‘holy and honorable’ (4:4) Sexual fidelity & self-control (4:3-4) No sexual exploitation (4:6)

God’s commands (4:8)

• Work ethic Work w/ hands & dependent on nobody (4:11-12) Example of Paul (2:9) Laziness in the congregation (5:14) – was this

related to the idea of immediate parousia?

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

Instructions on parousia • What happens to those who have died?

(4:13) Dead will rise first & then all believers (4:15) ‘Caught up’ in the clouds to meet Jesus (4:16-17)

• Does this refer to “rapture”? (cf. 2Cor 12:2-3; Acts 8:39)

Is this a ‘secret’ or public event? (4:16) After ‘meeting in the air’ – come down or go up?

(4:17)

• Gr. eis apantesin kyriou – honorable escort (cf. Matt 25:6; Acts 28:15)

• Paul’s ‘primitive’ eschatology? (4:17) Ad hoc argument from Jesus to query of Thess.

OR More detailed explanation of earlier teaching – now

on the order of events

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

Introduction to 2 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians Destruction of unbelievers

(1:10)

Lazy admonished (5:14; 4:11) Church hears the letter (5:27)

Familial theme Second coming (4:13-18) Persecution (1:6; 3:3)

Destruction of unbelievers (1:6-9) Lazy deprived food (3:10) Church needs to obey (3:14)

Harsher tone Signs b/f the end (2:1-12) Persecution (1:4; 1:6)

4.1 Authorship; provenance; purpose Disputed authorship b/c• Too close ‘match’ w/ 1 Thess• More detailed eschatology

“lawless one” & affinity w/ later NT ideas (John; Rev)

More ‘developed’ eschatology

• Pauline authorship b/c Similarities w/ 1 Thess Detailed eschatology to counter over eagerness Warnings of forgery (2:2-3)

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

Situation and provenance• Written after 1 Thess from Corinth (b/w

AD 50-53)• News of new crisis: “day of the Lord is

here” (2:2)

• Main purpose To counter over-realized eschatology

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

4.2 Themes in 2 Thessalonians Certainty of judgment & coming of Christ• Persecutors condemned by God (1:6)

Vengeance to those who “disobey the gospel” (1:7-9)

• Wrath of God elsewhere (Rom 1:18; 2:5-8; 1Th 1:10) Focus on relief of victims & vindication of Jesus (1:6-10)

• The “day of the Lord” (2:2) – not until… “Lawless one ” revealed (2:3) – it’s already at work (2:7)

• Declares to be God in the temple (2:4; cf. 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19)

“restrainer” currently holds it (him?) at bay (2:7-8)

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

• What/who is the “lawless one”? Events in recent history e.g. Caligula’s

statue/alike Antichrist/beast (1 Jh 2:18; 4:3; 2 Jh 7; Rev 11:7; 13:1-18)

• What is the “restrainer”? God, Holy Spirit; Satan Angel Apollyon (Rev 9:11) or Michael (Jude 9; Rev

12:7)

Church or prominent leader Gentile mission (cf. Mark 13:10) Roman law and order (Rom 13:1-7)

• Chronology indicates “Lord’s day not yet happened”

Augustine “…the meaning of this completely escapes me” (City of God 20.19)

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

The problem of idleness (3:6-12)• “not work…not eat” (3:10)

Common meal (cf. 1 Cor 11:33) Charitable food (cf. Acts 2:42; 6:1-6) Addressed to lazy rich? Spiritual rationalization – “devoted” to Lord

• Main point – those unwilling to work Not incapable

Colossians; 1-2 Thess

A good paper indicates:◦ Use of seminary level books & articles

Relevance & specificity to the topic Recognized scholars, professors, experts in their field

◦ Writing style w/ clear sentences & logical progression Fair presentation of various views on the topic Provide evidence for each point (biblical & otherwise)

◦ Before handing in… Read your paper out loud Are you clear, consistent & come to a conclusion Have a friend proof read your paper

Grammar & argumentation & clarity

Research Paper Basics

Use academic writing style:◦ Turabian style (biblical studies, pastoral, business)

Idea clearly referenced (author, book, page number etc.)

Bibliography properly formatted

◦ Plagiarism results in automatic “F”: Not using references Quotes or ideas without references Papers /paragraphs that have been copied from

book/source

Research Paper Basics

This is first time writing an academic paper:◦ Ask help from peers◦ Consult “Writing Manual” ◦ Concentrate on getting the basics right◦ Basic info can be found:

http://library.duke.edu/research/citing/ Attend writing seminar

Ask details from Dr. Tommy Drabik Find quality books & articles from SFBC library

Ask librarian for help NT articles/books on http://www.ntgateway.com/ also more

theological articles http://thegospelcoalition.org/themelios

Writing Assignment