183. God’s ‘Direction’: (kateuthunō) in Paul’s Ministry (2 Thessalonians 3:5)

The verb kateuthunō occurs three times in the New Testament, used by two different writers: Luke (1:79) and Paul (1 Thessalonians 3:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:5). It has extensive usage both in Classical Greek authors, as well as the Greek Old Testament … Continue reading

167. Who is the ‘Scribe’ (grammateus) in Matthew 13:52?

The Greek word grammateus “recorder, administrator, expert/scholar” occurs about sixty times in the New Testament, primarily in the Gospels and Acts. Paul uses it once in 1 Corinthians 1:20. In 95% of the contexts it describes experts in the Jewish Law, … Continue reading

110. The Delicate Work of Spiritual Guidance (nouthetein 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15)

Scattered throughout Paul’s correspondence1 (and in one of his speeches in Acts 20:31) we find the verb nouthetein and its cognate noun nouthesia. The pattern of usage chronologically spans the entire written ministry of Paul (from his initial letters to … Continue reading

106: The Ministry of Encouragement (paramutheisthai 1 Thessalonians 5:14)

The verb paramutheisthai and its cognate nouns paramuthia and paramuthion occur only in Paul’s letters and John’s Gospel within the New Testament. Paul used the verb in 1 Thessalonians 2:12 and 5:14, the noun paramuthia in 1 Corinthians 14:3, while … Continue reading

105: “Describing ‘Leadership’ in the New Testament (proistēmi 1 Thessalonians 5:12)”

In Paul’s writings the verb proistēmi occurs eight times.1 His use of this verb spans the entire frame of his writings from 1 Thessalonians to 1Timothy. In his earliest and latest letters the verb occurs in contexts that describe church … Continue reading

78. Taught by God (theodidaktoi – 1 Thessalonians 4:9)

The Psalmist declared “Since my youth, O God, you have taught me” (Psalm 71:17) and he desires that God continually would teach him to do his will (Psalm 143:10). His experience and expectation is that God does instruct him, with … Continue reading