AN AFRICAN COMMUNAL READING OF WORK EXHORTATIONS IN THE THESSALONIAN CORRESPONDENCE

Abstract

This study makes use of African Biblical Hermeneutics to investigate Paul’s work exhortations in the Thessalonian letters. It investigates the relationship between work (labour) and community in the Thessalonian correspondence (1 Thess 2:9; 1 Thess 4:9–12; 1 Thess 5:12–15; and 2 Thess 3:6–15), arguing that Paul’s exhortations towards work have as their goal community formation. Work is here defined as a purposeful communal activity done in the power of Spirit by God's people to honour God and for the benefit of the worker and his or her co-creatures. By means of a consideration of the role of work in community in traditional African society, where even the Ancestors remain obliged to offer work to the community, we propose the hypothesis that work is crucial to community formation. We will test this across a range of evidence contemporary to Paul before turning to the Thessalonian correspondence to discuss fresh insights. The sectarian Dead Sea Scrolls revealed that members were required to contribute “knowledge, power and wealth” (1QS 1 11–15), which, we will argue, included the fruit of and potential for work. Work was required to manage community resources. A study of the Household and the Voluntary Associations of the first century, with reference to trade guilds, demonstrates the keen relationship between work and community, as trades were regulated and those who worked hard were honoured. We also explored this relationship within a philosophical school—Epicureans—and found out that work and community do not have a positive relationship since most members had either benefactors or slaves who laboured on their behalf. Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica was carried out in a workshop, where he also had an audience for the gospel. He worked out of consideration for others in the community—not to be a burden (1 Thess 2:9). Moreover, work is a demonstration of love for others in the community—both internal and external (1 Thess 4:9–12). Individuals offered themselves to others through their varied acts of service (1 Thess 5:12–15). Further, this study sheds light on Paul’s instruction about the ἀτάκτως; the disorderly should be forbidden from eating at communal meals, as participation in the communal meal requires one to contribute the result of their labour (2 Thess 3:6–15). Yet even this restriction is itself a promotion of community. The evidence shows that for Paul work is integral to community formation. Indeed, without work, there can be no community. However, in contrast to African tribal exclusivity, community life in Thessalonica was open to outsiders who were willing to contribute their labour.

Date of Award	1 Aug 2020
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Kent Brower (Supervisor)