PAUL AND THE RHETORIC OF REVERSAL: KERYGMATIC ...

The Thessalonians are not to engage in the passionate desire (πάθει ἐπιθυμίας) of Gentiles, or
to be greedy (πλεονεκτεῖν 5 ) in regard to these things:
Not in passionate desire [ἐν πάθει ἐπιθυμίας], like the Gentiles who do not know
God; let no one wrong or be greedy [πλεονεκτεῖν] with regard to a brother in this
matter (4:5-6)
The discussion moves in verses 9-12 to the need for love of one another (ἀγαπᾶν ἀλλήλους):
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12: Theme II: 6 love
Now concerning brotherly love [φιλαδελφίας] you have no need for us 7 to write to
you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another [ἀγαπᾶν ἀλλήλους]
(4:9)
Charles A. Wanamaker describes this paraenetic progression as moving from “sexual norms”
to “familial love”. 8
Galatians 5:19-21, 22ff
This vice list serves to represent the “works” of the flesh, and begins with sexual immorality
(πορνεία), impurity (ἀκαθαρσία), debauchery (ἀσέλγεια), and idolatry (εἰδωλολατρία), before
moving onto other (especially interactional) vices:
5
The precise sense of this word in context is debated. See the discussion of Countryman’s
views below.
6
In 1 Thessalonians, the usage of hortatory love terminology occurs only from 4:9: 1
Thessalonians 4:9-10, 5:8, 5:13
7
The construction in the Greek here is unexpected (οὐ χρείαν ἔχετε γράφειν ὑμῖν), but may
perhaps reflect the Pauline practice of placing the onus for basic catechetical development
squarely on the Christian community (cf. 2 Cor. 12:21; Eph. 4:17-24).
8
Charles A. Wanamaker, The Epistles to the Thessalonians: A Commentary on the Greek Text
(Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1990), 150-159.
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