HarperCollins Study Bible

by Harold W. Attridge

  2.20 If with Christ you died, with reference to a present reality.

  2.21 Do not…touch, regulations for self-abasement; see vv. 18, 23.

  2.23 Severe treatment of the body, the ascetic rigors prescribed by the opponents as requisite to true piety (see vv. 16, 21).

  Colossians 3

  The New Life in Christ

  1So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is youra life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

  5Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient.b 7These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life.c 8But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusived language from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. 11In that renewale there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

  12As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lordf has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christg dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.h 17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

  Rules for Christian Households

  18Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.

  20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. 21Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart. 22Slaves, obey your earthly mastersa in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.b 23Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters,c 24since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you served the Lord Christ. 25For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality. 1Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

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  a Other authorities read our

  b Other ancient authorities lack on those who are disobedient (Gk the children of disobedience)

  c Or living among such people

  d Or filthy

  e Gk its creator,11where

  f Other ancient authorities read just as Christ

  g Other ancient authorities read of God, or of the Lord

  h Other ancient authorities read to the Lord

  3.1–17 How the readers should orient themselves and behave in light of their resurrection with Christ (see 2.12).

  3.1 At the right hand of God, an echo of Ps 110.1.

  3.4 For Christ as life, see Gal 2.20. On Christ and believers being revealed in the fullness of time, see Lk 17.30; Rom 8.19; 1 Jn 3.2.

  3.5 Vice lists were a commonplace means of exhortation; see Rom 1.29–31; Gal 5.19–21.

  3.6 On the wrath of God, an apocalyptic concept, see Rom 1.18; 2.5, 8; 3.5; Eph 5.6; see also Mt 3.7.

  3.8–14 The language of disrobing (get rid of, stripped off) and being clothed, associated with baptism (see note on 2.11), is here applied to ethical behavior.

  3.10 Image of its creator, i.e., the image of Christ. See 1.15; see also 2 Cor 4.4.

  3.11 No longer Greek…free, a revised version of the baptismal formula in Gal 3.28. Missing is any reference to male and female (see also 1 Cor 12.13; cf. Col 3.18–19). Scythians, an ancient nomadic people widely viewed as the ultimate barbarians.

  3.13 Forgive…as the Lord has forgiven you, in imitation of Christ. See 2.13; Eph 4.32; see also Mt 6.14.

  3.15 Called has the same meaning as chosen in v. 12.

  3.16 Believers are to teach each other as the author has taught them; see 1.28. Singing psalms…and…songs. See 1 Cor 14.26; Eph 5.19.

  3.17 Giving thanks. See 1.12; see also Eph 5.20.

  3.18–4.1 Guidelines for comportment within the household.

  3.18 On the exhortation Wives, be subject to your husbands, a common notion in the Greco-Roman world, see 1 Cor 14.34; Eph 5.21, 22; Titus 2.3–5; 1 Pet 3.1–6; cf. 1 Cor 7.3–4; Gal 3.28.

  3.19 On love for wives, see Eph 5.25; cf. 1 Pet 3.7.

  3.20–21 On children and fathers, see Eph 6.1–4.

  3.22–25 Slaves are also admonished in Eph 6.5–8; 1 Tim 6.1–2; Titus 2.9–10; 1 Pet 2.18–25; cf. 1 Cor 7.21–24.

  3.25 On no partiality, see Eph 6.9; see also Rom 2.11; 3.22; 10.12.

  Colossians 4

  Further Instructions

  2Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 3At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, 4so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.

  5Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.e 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

  Final Greetings and Benediction

  7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servantf in the Lord. 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we areg and that he may encourage your hearts; 9he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

  10Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him. 11And Jesus who is called Justus greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servanth of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills. 13For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. 15Give my greetings to the brothers and sistersi in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. 17And say to Archippus, “See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.”

  18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.j

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  a In Greek the same word is used for master and Lord

  b In Greek the same word is used for master and Lord

  c Gk not for men

  d Or you are slaves of, or be slaves of

  e Or opportunity

  f Gk slave

  g Other authorities read that I may know how you are

  h Gk slave

  i Gk brothers

  j Other ancient authorities add Amen

  4.1 On the just treatment of slaves by their masters, see Lev 25.43, 53; Eph 6.9.

  4.2–6 Concluding admonitions.

  4.2 On prayer, see 1.9; 4.3, 12. On thanksgiving, see 1.12;
2.7; 3.17.

  4.3 Mystery of Christ. See 1.27; 2.2. In prison. It is not known which of Paul’s many imprisonments is meant here; see vv. 10, 18; see also 2 Cor 6.5; 11.23.

  4.5 On making the most of the time, see Eph 5.16.

  4.6 If seasoned with salt is an echo of Ex 30.35, then all speech should be a thank offering to God. On answering the questions of outsiders, see 1 Pet 3.15.

  4.7–18 Greetings and instructions.

  4.7 On the commendation of Tychicus, see Eph 6.21–22; see also Acts 20.4; 2 Tim 4.12; Titus 3.12.

  4.9 On Onesimus, a Colossian, see Philem 10.

  4.10–14 See Philem 23–24 for many of the same names.

  4.11 Kingdom of God. Cf. 1.13; Eph 5.5.

  4.12 On standing firm, see Eph 6.11–14. On mature status, see note on 1.28.

  4.16 Letter from Laodicea, i.e., a letter from Paul to the Laodiceans, sent by them to Colossae; nothing is known of this letter.

  4.18 Letters in antiquity were often dictated to a scribe (see Rom 16.22), but the author might append a greeting in his own hand (see 1 Cor 16.21; Gal 6.11).

  The First Letter of Paul to the THESSALONIANS

  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

  PAUL WROTE 1 THESSALONIANS, the oldest book in the NT, to the church in Thessalonica, a port located on the northern shore of the Aegean Sea. This city was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia and was devoted to the imperial cult of Rome, but culturally it remained a Greek city governed by Greek law. Its location on the Via Egnatia, which ran from Byzantium to the Adriatic Sea, together with its commerce ensured commercial prosperity.

  Circumstances of the Letter

  AFTER A BAD EXPERIENCE in Philippi (2.2; Acts 16.11–40), Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy came to Thessalonica. Soon after they founded a church there, intense opposition from the Jewish community forced them to leave (Acts 17.1–10). They went on to Beroea, where Silvanus (called “Silas” in Acts) and Timothy stayed while Paul journeyed on to Athens (Acts 17.10–15). When Timothy joined Paul in Athens, Paul immediately sent him back to Thessalonica for information about the church (3.1–2) and then went on to Corinth, where Timothy and Silvanus met him later (Acts 18.1–5). Timothy reported favorably about the life of the community (3.6–7) but also, it seems, brought news of anxiety over Paul’s failure to return (2.17–18).

  Timothy’s report stimulated Paul to write 1 Thessalonians from Corinth about 51 CE. In the Letter Paul responds to the Thessalonians’ anxiety by reviewing his initial reception there (1.2–10) and his ongoing concern for the church (2.1–3.13). He reinforces his original teaching by describing how Christians should live in the face of the imminent return of Jesus the Lord (4.1–5.11) and how they should strengthen one another in their life together (5.12–22).

  Authenticity and Integrity

  ALTHOUGH NO SCHOLAR DOUBTS that Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians, a few argue that it contains fragments from two or three letters. Many regard 2.14–16 as a later insertion because of its severe language about Jewish persecution of Christians in Judea when there is little other evidence for such persecution. Scholars defending Paul’s authorship of these verses argue that they reflect the tense situation described in Acts 17.5–13. If Paul wrote these verses, however, he later modified his position (see Rom 9.3–5; 11.17–31).

  Stylistic Features and Significance

  THE LETTER IS PASTORAL, warm in tone, and affectionate throughout. There is no evidence of disunity or theological debate in the community. The praise in 1.6–8 is unequaled in Paul’s other Letters. Aware of the Thessalonians’ Greek culture, Paul draws on language from Greek philosophy to discuss issues treated by many Greek writers: marriage, community life, engagement in civil life.

  Some features are unique to this Letter. Because the Thessalonian converts were not Jewish, Paul does not refer explicitly (except in 2.14–16) to Judaism, to problems affecting Jewish Christians (e.g., Mosaic law), or to any OT person, institution, or event (e.g., Abraham, Moses, the temple, or sacrifice). He also does not quote the OT, though it often lies behind his language or thought, for Paul’s Jewish heritage shaped him decisively. He names the recipients “Thessalonians,” using the term for citizens of the city, a form of address repeated only in 2 Thessalonians.

  1 Thessalonians gives us our earliest insight into Paul’s missionary activity and continuing concern for his congregations. It reveals problems early Christians faced living in Greek society and lets us see the inner life of the early church. [EDGAR M. KRENTZ]

  The first Christian groups established by Paul in Europe were at Philippi and Thessalonica. From there he traveled south through Beroea (Acts 17.10–15) to Athens (1 Thess 2.2–3.1) and finally to Corinth.

  1 Thessalonians 1

  Salutation

  1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

  To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

  Grace to you and peace.

  The Thessalonians’ Faith and Example

  2We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly 3remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4For we know, brothers and sistersa beloved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. 6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, 7so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. 9For the people of those regionsb report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

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  a Gk brothers

  b Gk For they

  1.1 A typical ancient letter opening with Christian modifications (see Rom 1.1–7). Formally there are three senders; Paul, however, is the writer, as 3.1 makes clear. Silvanus (“Silas” in Acts) and Timothy were trusted co-workers (see Acts 16.1–18.5; 2 Cor 1.19).

  1.2–3.13 The first major section describes Paul’s ongoing concern for the Thessalonians.

  1.2–10 The Thessalonians’ reception of Paul’s preaching was ratified by what it produced: their experience of the Spirit and their own joyful proclamation. Paul uses emotional language (rhetorical pathos), designed to evoke a favorable response from the Thessalonians.

  1.2–3 Ancient letters often begin with a prayer for the readers’ well-being; Paul begins with thanks for the Thessalonians’ present activity (see, e.g., Rom 1.8).

  1.3 Faith, hope, and love occur together here for the first time in Paul’s Letters; see also 5.8; Rom 5.1–5; 1 Cor 13.13; Gal 5.5–6.

  1.4 Chosen implies a special relationship with God, like Israel’s (see, e.g., Isa 41.8–10).

  1.5 Our message of the gospel is not Paul’s own creation but God’s effective word that produces faith. Word, a philosophical term implying rational account and explanation; see also vv. 6, 8; 2.5; 4.18. To contrast speech and action was an ancient Greek philosophical convention. Power, the Holy Spirit (see also 1.6; 4.8; 5.19), and full conviction stress the effect on the Thessalonians of Paul’s preaching.

  1.6 Paul often uses himself (1 Cor 4.16; 11.1), other Christians (1 Thess 2.14), and the Lord (1 Cor 11.1) as models for imitation. Persecution marked the founding of this church; see 2.2, 14–16; 3.3–4.

  1.7 Macedonia (where Thessalonica lies) is northern mainland Greece; Achaia (where Corinth, from which Paul is writing, lies) is southern Greece. They are the two Roman provinces in European Greece.

  1.8 Sounded f
orth stresses the Thessalonians’ witnessing activity.

  1.9–10 A terse summary of Paul’s initial preaching to non-Jews; see also 1 Cor 8.6; 10.14.

  1.9 Idols, i.e., statues. See also 1 Cor 8.4–13; 10.14–22.

  1.10 Wrath that is coming from God (see also 2.16; 5.9), a feature of OT expectation (Isa 13.9; cf. Isa 2.10–22), here the final day of judgment; see also Rom 2.5, 8; 3.5; 5.9; 9.22.

  1 Thessalonians 2

  Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

  1You yourselves know, brothers and sisters,a that our coming to you was not in vain, 2but though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. 3For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, 4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; 6nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, 7though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentleb among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. 8So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

  9You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters;c we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers. 11As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, 12urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.