[Society for New Testament Studies Monograph 01] • From Hope to Despair in Thessalonica · Situating 1 and 2 Thessalonians by Nicholl, Colin R. -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

COVER HALF-TITLE TITLE COPYRIGHT DEDICATION CONTENTS PREFACE ABBREVIATIONS PART ONE

1 INTRODUCTION

Introduction The need for the study

Four critical problems concerning 2 Thessalonians

The problem of the literary affinities The problem of the apparently incompatible eschatologies The problem of 2 Thess. 2:2 and 3:17 The problem of the perceived difference in tone

The need for a situational study of 1 Thessalonians The need for a situational study of 2 Thessalonians Method and procedure

PART TWO

2 GRIEVING WITHOUT HOPE

Introduction Does indicate prior ignorance? Does imply a future awakening? Does imply that the Thessalonian community are lacking hope? Why do the protasis and apodosis of 4:14 not correspond? Where is the…to be found? Does indicate relative disadvantage? Did the Thessalonian community know about the resurrection of the dead? What is the source of the… Possible Pauline redaction of the ‘word of the Lord’ (4:16–17a) What do 4:16–17a contribute to the argument of the section? How do 4:16–17 relate to 4:14b? Is the source of the Thessalonians’ confusion an erroneous theology of Jewish assumption? Conclusion

3 ANXIOUS AND FEARFUL

Introduction Does idle speculation underlie the Thessalonians’ question? The meaning of the ‘Day of the Lord’ in 5:2 The import of the thief motif in 5:2 The relationship of 5:3 to the thief-in-the-night simile Does 5:3 constitute grounds for judging the Thessalonian community to be guilty of false security? The function of 5:4 The significance of the four pronouncements of 5:5 The significance of 5:6–8 The function of 5:9–10 The function of 5:1–11 Were the Thessalonian converts over-excited? Do 5:1–11 reflect a concrete situation? Do 5:6–8 elucidate the specific situation of the Thessalonian church? Was the delay of the parousia a factor in the problem? Were the Thessalonians worried that they might not be prepared for the Day? The relationship between 4:13–18 and 5:1–11 A new hypothesis Conclusion

4 IN NEED OF REASSURANCE

1 Thess. 1:10b and c 1 Thess. 2:12b 1 Thess. 3:6 1 Thess. 3:10 1 Thess. 5:14 1 Thess. 5:24 1 Thess. 1:1 1 Thess. 1:2–10 1 Thess. 2:1–12 1 Thess. 2:13–16 1 Thess. 2:17–3:10 1 Thess. 3:11–13 1 Thess. 4:1–12 1 Thess. 5:12–22 1 Thess. 5:23–4 1 Thess. 5:25–8

Conclusion to Part 2

PART THREE

5 SHAKEN AND TERRIFIED

Introduction How was understood?

A complex of events? Spiritually present? A fresh analysis

What were the implications of the false claim for ‘the Thessalonians’?

2 Thess. 2:2 2 Thess. 2:1, 13–14 2 Thess. 2:15 2 Thess. 2:16–17 2 Thess. 3:1–5

Conclusion Concluding summary

6 PERSEVERANCE UNDER THREAT

Introduction The significance of the prescript (1:1–2) Why have and been included in the thanksgiving? The absence of from 1:3 The implication of in 1:4 In 1:5 what is an of what? The function of 1:6–10 Do 1:11–12 imply that the salvation of ‘the Thessalonians’ is contingent on prayer? Conclusion

7 THE PROBLEM OF EXPLOITING CHARITY AND THE CONCLUSION

Introduction Difficulties of reading 2 Thess. 3:6–15 as an eschatological problem Recent non-eschatological hypotheses An exegesis of 2 Thess. 3:6–15 A non-eschatological explanation of the problem of the… The situation underlying 2 Thess. 3:16–18 Conclusion to Part 3

PART FOUR

8 SYNTHESIS AND CONCLUSION

The literary parallels The irreconcilability of the eschatologies 2 Thess. 2:2, 15; 3:4 and 17 The difference in tone between 1 and 2 Thessalonians Concluding evaluation of the four arguments for pseudonymity

Is 2 Thessalonians an epistolary pseudepigraph?

Conclusion

APPENDIX MICHAEL, THE RESTRAINER REMOVED (2 THESS. 2:6.7).

Introduction: 2 Thess. 2:6–7 and the restrainer The restrainer: the options Michael as a restrainer The removal of Michael The use of the neuter… Conclusion

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Primary sources Secondary sources

INDEX OF PASSAGES CITED

A Old Testament B Apocrypha C New Testament D Dead Sea Scrolls E Pseudepigrapha F Christian and non-Rabbinic Jewish literature G Rabbinic writings H Classical authors and other texts

INDEX OF MODERN AUTHORS INDEX OF SUBJECTS