When the apostle Paul or any other Bible writer pens an epistle to a
congregation, there is usually some occasion driving the epistle's composition. So what moved Paul to write 1 Thessalonians 5:14? Why did he
give this particular counsel to the Thessalonians?
Jeffrey Weima reckons that the exhortative material of 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5:11 potentially factors into the occasion for counsel pertaining to fainthearted ones. For example, in 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, Paul encourages the brothers and sisters to keep showing love to the Christians in Macedonia "more and more," to a fuller extent (ESV). He exhorts them to "live quietly," mind their own business, and do manual labor in order to give a fine witness to outsiders and the apostle urges self-dependence (in a sense), and he bids them not to become a burden for others. Compare 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15.
The context of 1 Thessalonians 5:14 indicates that some in the congregation were idle, possibly disorderly, and rather gossipy people (i.e., busybodies). Yet there were other reasons Paul encouraged his spiritual friends to console the depressed souls.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 reveals that some Christians (potentially in Thessalonica) had fallen sleep in death, which was a blow to the remaining ones: Paul urged them not to grieve as the rest do, who have no hope. Hence, the NET Bible makes this observation:
Paul then launches into a brief discussion of the Lord Jesus coming to retrieve his anointed bride (the spirit-filled Christian congregation that has the hope of immortal life in the heavens). Theologians and lay persons alike have debated the meaning of these words, but I want to dwell on this promise and exhortation: "we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words" (ESV).
Think of how comforting those words must have been to Paul's addresses: dwelling with Jesus, for all eternity, immortally and incorruptibly--what reason they had to encourage one another. Moreover, Paul's counsel and assuring words likely brought comfort to the depressed souls (the fainthearted) of his time, just as they can bring comfort today. And while anointed ones look forward to the complete fulfillment of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, those with an earthly hope likewise take comfort in God's promise of an earthly paradise (2 Peter 3:13).
Nevertheless, it is good to issue this reminder: Weima cautions that any proposals set forth to explicate Paul's reasons for composing 1 Thessalonians 5:14 must be "tentative," since we must surmise what factors dictated the occasion of this counsel. The epistle never tells us why "depressed souls" needed to be uplifted. However, in my humble estimation, the immediate context potentially supports construing Paul's raison d'être as I have discussed above. There were probably things occurring amid the Thessalonians that motivated Paul to offer the encouragement, "speak consolingly to the depressed souls."
The context of 1 Thessalonians 5:14 indicates that some in the congregation were idle, possibly disorderly, and rather gossipy people (i.e., busybodies). Yet there were other reasons Paul encouraged his spiritual friends to console the depressed souls.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 reveals that some Christians (potentially in Thessalonica) had fallen sleep in death, which was a blow to the remaining ones: Paul urged them not to grieve as the rest do, who have no hope. Hence, the NET Bible makes this observation:
The verb κοιμάω (koimaō) literally means “sleep,” but it is often used in the Bible as a euphemism for death when speaking of believers. This metaphorical usage by its very nature emphasizes the hope of resurrection: Believers will one day “wake up” out of death.The Thessalonians possibly were grieving, and that is natural, but they could have needed the reminder that grief must be put in perspective. Christians also grieve today, and we might even suffer depression after losing loved ones, but words of solace from one's spiritual family can be like salve on a wound (Colossians 4:11). Not only do good friends remind us of the wonderful hope we have but they can be empathetic and good listeners.
Paul then launches into a brief discussion of the Lord Jesus coming to retrieve his anointed bride (the spirit-filled Christian congregation that has the hope of immortal life in the heavens). Theologians and lay persons alike have debated the meaning of these words, but I want to dwell on this promise and exhortation: "we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words" (ESV).
Think of how comforting those words must have been to Paul's addresses: dwelling with Jesus, for all eternity, immortally and incorruptibly--what reason they had to encourage one another. Moreover, Paul's counsel and assuring words likely brought comfort to the depressed souls (the fainthearted) of his time, just as they can bring comfort today. And while anointed ones look forward to the complete fulfillment of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, those with an earthly hope likewise take comfort in God's promise of an earthly paradise (2 Peter 3:13).
Nevertheless, it is good to issue this reminder: Weima cautions that any proposals set forth to explicate Paul's reasons for composing 1 Thessalonians 5:14 must be "tentative," since we must surmise what factors dictated the occasion of this counsel. The epistle never tells us why "depressed souls" needed to be uplifted. However, in my humble estimation, the immediate context potentially supports construing Paul's raison d'être as I have discussed above. There were probably things occurring amid the Thessalonians that motivated Paul to offer the encouragement, "speak consolingly to the depressed souls."
3 comments:
If one considers 2 Thessalonians to be a genuine Pauline letter or not, as long as we can assume that it is addressed to the same congregation then 2 Thessalonians 3:10 may be relevant.
1) If I recall correctly, the Thessalonian letters generally are not disputed in terms of their authenticity.
2) In the blog entry, I did ask readers to compare 2 Thess. 3:6-15. I would say it's quite relevant from a literary perspective for understanding 1 Thess. 4:1-5:14.
Okay, doing some fact-checking, I need to amend the first statement: 1 Thessalonians generally is accepted by most scholars, but 2 Thessalonians is heavily disputed as to its authenticity. However, the ISBE says more problems arise from doubting 2 Thessalonians rather than accepting its authenticity. Either way, I still think 2 Thess. 3:6-15 elucidates 1 Thess. 5:14, etc.
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