* There has been some dispute as to whether it was applied to a syna- gogue, but the usage of Josephus and Philo seems decisive in favour of that meaning. See Jos. Vita, 54; Juvenal, Sat. III. 296; Schiirer, The Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ, Div. IL., Vol. II., p. 78; Wendt, Apostel- geschichte, on Acts xvi. 13. An inscription preserved in the Berlin Egyptian Museum testifies to the meaning synagogue as early as the third century B.c. Zenobia and Vaballath, about 270 a.p., decree the restoration of an inscrip~ tion on a synagogue, as follows: Bagudeds Hrodeuatos Kuepyérns thy mpocevy yy acvrov King Ptolemy Huergetes [decrees] that the place of prayer [be] an asylum. See Deissmann, Neue Bibelstudien, p. 49.
Co. lL] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. Ld
specimens the conventional salutations in correspondence include the general greeting (ya/pev) and the statement that prayer is made for the correspondent’s welfare ; and the words constant and daily are attached to the act of prayer. It is further to be noticed that many passages of Paul’s Epistles give evidence of having been shaped by expressions in letters received by him from the parties he is addressing. In his answer he gives them back their own words, as is common in correspondence. Thus, making men- tion of you and remembering your work, etc., together with the statement that Timothy reports that you have a good remem- brance of us (ch. iii. 6), all together suggest that Paul had before him, when writing to the Thessalonians, a letter which Timothy had brought from them. Other instances will be noted as they occur.*
Work — labour — patience (épyou — xo7rov — brropovys ). "Epyov work, may mean either the act, the simple trans- action, or the process of dealing with anything, or the result of the dealing,—as a book or a picture is called a work. Kozos labour, from xorrewv to strike or hew; hence, laborious, painful exertion. “Topovi patience, patient endurance and faithful persistence in toil and suffering. See on 2 Pet. i. 6; Jas. v. 7. The genitives, of faith, love, hope, mark the gen- erating principles of the work and labour and patience, which set their stamp upon each; thus, work which springs from faith, and is characteristic of faith. The phrase patience of hope is found only here; but see Rom. v. 4; villi. 25; xv. 4; 1 Cor. xiii. 7; Heb. vii. 11, 12. For tvopov) in IX X, eee, 1) Chrony xxix! 15;) Jobexiv. 19; Ps..ix.:18; Xxxvill. 7; Jer. xiv. 8. We have here the great triad of Christian graces, corresponding to 1 Cor. xiii. Hope is prominent throughout the two Epistles. The triad appears, 1 Th. v. 8; Gal. v. 5, 6; 1 Cor. xiii. 13.;.Eph. iv. 2-0 ;
* See an interesting article by J. Rendel Harris, Expositor, Vol. IV., No. III., 1898, *‘ A Study in Letter-writing.’’ Also an article by Walter Lock, Expositor, Vol. I1., No. I., 1897, ‘‘1 Corinthians viii. 1-9. A Suggestion.”
16 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. ([Ca.L
Col. i. 4,5; Heb. x. 22-24; 1 Pet. i. 21-22. Comp. 1 Th. ii. 9; v. 8; 2'Th. iii..5, 8; 1 Cor. xv. 10, 58; 2 Cor. xi. 27; Apoe. i. 2.
In our Lord, ete. (rod xupiov). Lit. of our Lord. Fora similar use of the genitive, see J. v. 42; PPA GG ra, a ie Acts ix. 31; Rom. i. 5; iii. 18, 22, 26, ete. Connect with hope only.
Before our God and Father. Const. with remembering, and comp. ch. ii. 19; iii. 9.
4, Election of God. Incorrect. Const. of or by (v7) God with beloved. ’ExXoryn election, in N. T., mostly by Paul. Elsewhere only Acts ix. 15, and 2 Pet. i. 10. This, and the kindred words, é«Aéyerv to choose, and éxrXexTos chosen or elect, are used of God’s selection of men or agencies for special missions or attainments ; but neither here nor else- where in the N. T. is there any warrant for the revolting doctrine that God has predestined a definite number of man- kind to eternal life, and the rest to eternal destruction.* The sense in this passage appears to be defined by the suc- ceeding context. The Thessalonians had been chosen to be members of the Christian church, and their conduct had justified the choice. See vv. 5-10.