Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Reading for July 19th

 Read 2 Thessalonians 1.3-12. In verses 3-10: Perseverance and future vindication. This long sentence includes a thanksgiving (vv.  3-4) and a commentary on affliction (vv. 5-10). In verses 3-4: The thanksgiving report relates the community's progress and steadfastness. In verse 4: Persecutions ... afflictions, both mean suffering, but the first, external suffering, is more specific. They may mean the woes of the end time; see Dan 12.1. In verses 5-10: These verses teach that suffering is a sign of being chosen and that those who suffer  will be vindicated at the judgment. That day anticipates 2.1-12, which refutes those who think their recent afflictions mean the: "day of the Lord" has already appeared. In verses 7-10: descriptions of God in the Hebrew Scripturas and other Jewish writings now apply to Jesus (see angels in Zech 14.5; 1 Enoch 1.9;flaming fire in Isa 66.15-16; glorified in Ps 89.7). In verses 11-12: A prayer. These verses are the letter's main teaching. Resolve, work of faith anticipates the refutations in 2.1-12 and 3.1-15. In verse 12: See Isaiah 66.5, but it is Jesus who will be glorified. Comments or Questions..

No comments: