Reading for October 24th

 Read 1 Thessalonians 2.13-16. In 2.13-16: The suffering of the Thessalonians. The anti-Jewish tone is uncharacteristic of Paul, but there is no evidence that it was inserted later, and it is not directed toward all Jews. Debate and angry arguments between Jews occur in Jewish writings of the time (see Josephus, Antiquities 1.15.91; Philo, Cherubim 17). Paul's point is his ministry's success despite opposition. This passage functions like a hinge in reminding the Thessalonians how they suffered in receiving the word (2.14, see 1.6) and in foreshadowing Paul's account of his separation from the community (2.17-3.13). In verse 16: God's wrath, perhaps an actual event, but given the survival of the Judean churches and the Thessalonians, more likely that God at last has prevented opponents (some Jews or some gentiles) from destroying them. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 23rd

 Read 1 Thessalonians 2.1-12. In 2.1-12: The endurance of the mission team. Paul denounces false teachers and praises the mission team for building up the congregation. In verse 2: Opposition, a metaphor of athletic struggle (Epictetus Diss, 1.24-1-2; 4 Macc 16.16). In verse 4: God ... test our hearts, see Gal 1.10; Prov 17.3, 7): The Greek word "epioi," gentle, found in some manuscripts, differs from "nepioi," infants, by only the letter "n." Paul rarely uses "infant" positively (see Rom 2.20; 1 Cor 3.1; 13.11; Gal 4.1, 3), so gentle is probably original. In verse 11: Father ... children, see Gal 4.19-20; 1 Cor 4.14-21; 2 Cor 6.11-13. In verse 12: Lead a life worthy (Gal 5.16; Rom 13.13), "walk" a distinctive (holy) life even though the end time is not yet obvious to a world that is passing away (see 4.1-8). Kingdom of God, rare in Paul, (see 1 Cor 4.20). Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 22nd

 Read 1 Thessalonians 1.2-10. In verses 2-5: Thanksgiving. Paul highlights his consistent prayers, signs of the congregation's ongoing life, and God's initiative in the effectiveness of the gospel and Paul's mission team. In verse 3: Faith ... love ... hope, see 5.8: Rom 5.1-5; 1 Cor 13.13; Gal 5.5-6. In verse 4: On the kinship expression brothers and sisters, see Deut 15.3. Beloved by God, see Deut 33.12. Chose, see Deut 4.37; 7.6-8; 10.14-15; 14.2. In 1.6-2.16: The suffering and endurance of the congregation. Three sections depict how the Thessalonians suffered with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit (1.6-10), the endurance of the mission team (2.1-12), and what the Thessalonians suffered. (2.13-16). In verses 6-10: How the Thessalonians suffered. In verse 6: Persecution (3.3-4, 7), suffering or affliction, the woes that precede the consummation of the new age. In verse 8: Sounded forth, the Greek implies continuous spreading of the word. In verses 9-10: This may be a formal statement of belief. Turned to God from idols suggest, contrary to Acts 17.4, that the converts were gentiles. See 2.14. Comments or Questions

Reading for October 21st

 Read 1 Thessalonians 1.1. In 1.1: Opening. A typical greeting, although written in an extremely simple form (see Phil 1.1-2). In verse 1: Silvanus, Latin form of Silas, one  of Paul's companions (Acts 15.22, 40; 17.4). Timothy, one of Paul's emissaries and traveling companion (Rom 16.21; 1 Cor 4.17; 16.10; Phil 2.19). Grace and peace (see 2 Baruch 78.2a late Jewish apocryphal writing, probably from the first century CE). Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 20th

 Read Lamentations 5.19-22. The poem ends on a poignant note. God's power is undisputed, though God's care is questioned. The community asks that its broken relationship with God be healed, but fears that God's anger may be yet too great. Comments or Questions...

Reading for October 19th

 Read Lamentations 5.1-18. In 5.1-22: A community lament. This final poem follows the stylistic features of the communal laments of the Psalms (Ps 44; 79). A long description of misery and specific losses offers a glimpse into a conquered country: Babylonian conquerors force young and old into labor (vv. 5, 13); food and water are scare (vv. 4, 6, 9, 10); women are raped (v. 11); and the once civilized city is now the haunt of jackals (v. 18). In verse 7: We bear their iniquities: Is the community accepting the quilt of their forbearers or complaining that it is punished for sins not of its own? In verses 14-18: All joy (music, dancing, public gathering at the city gate) has ceased. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 18th

 Read Lamentations 4.17-22. In verses 17-20: The final days of the city. The poet describes the fall of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25), as she loses any hope of protection. The nation that could not save is likely Egypt (Jer 44.30). Lord's anointed is the king, who is described in exalted terms. In verses 21-22: Call for punishment of Edom. Various biblical accounts complain that Edom gloated over Jerusalem's fall (Obadiah, Ps 137). The poet calls for the punishment and self-humiliation of Edom. In verse 22: Punishment ... accomplished may suggest that the book is written after the traumatic events described. Comments or Questions..