CHARLES H. GIBLIN, S. J.

fordham university

bronx, new york

THE THREAT TO FAITH

AN EXEGETICAL AND THEOLOGICAL RE-EXAMINATION OF 2 THESSALONIANS 2

rome

pontifical biblical institute

imprimi potest

Romae, die 24 iunii 1967

R. A. F. MacKenzie, S.I.

Rector Pontificii Instituti Biblici

imprimatur

E Vicariatu Urbis, die 8 septembris 1967

† Aloysius Card. Traglia

Vicarius

©

Iura editionis et versionis reservantur

to my parents

Foreword

The task of presenting theologically oriented exegesis must precede the professional popularization of new interpretations, the writing of standard commentaries, and a number of other aspects of Biblical studies. We hope that we have helped fill a notable gap in Pauline studies in this respect by offering to scholars what we think is the first exegetical monograph concerning 2 Thes 2 as a whole.

The chapter itself is by no means an unattractive one. It invites the scholar to scrutinize its many specific exegetical problems in terms of the Gestalt of difficulties which it presents, including its precise theological and pastoral orientation. By way of providing a special incentive for laborious investigation, the chapter obviously contains a rich lode of eschatological teaching, one of the basic currencies of present-day theological discussion.

Because of the nature of the problems to be faced and the more limited scope of previous detailed studies of 2 Thes 2, it has been judged advisable to retain for publication, after necessary corrections, both the format and the entire content of this monograph as it was defended on November 4, 1966, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the doctorate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. Part One investigates the state of the question; Part Two contains the exegesis of 2 Thes 2 and concludes with a commentary on the whole of that passage; Part Three presents fuller theological reflections consequent on the exegesis. For the reader with initially less time at his disposal, the schematically arranged text and translation at the end of Part One together with the résumés and the over-all commentary in the last chapter of Part Two should provide a good grasp of the new interpretation we submit.

Charles H. Giblin, S.J.

Fordham University, New York

Table of Contents

Foreword

Table of Contents

Abbreviations

Acknowledgments

Bibliography

Part One

Introduction

I. The Text and Its Context

II. Various Problems Suggesting a New Line of Inquiry

A. The Need for a Monograph

B. A Perennially Discussed Problem

C. Neglected Problems

III. Approaches to the Structural Articulation of Paul’s Thought

IV. Two General Lines of Interpretation

V. Some Observations on Method

VI. Structured Text and Translation

Part Two

Exegesis

Chapter I THE LIMITS OF THE PERICOPE

Résumé

Chapter II THE TEXT

Résumé

Chapter III THE SCOPE OF THE IMAGERY IN VERSES 3–4 AND 8–10

A. The Temple-Imagery; Verses 3–4

1. The Scriptural Allusion in Verse 3c f.

2. ΝΑΟΣ in Verse 4b

3. Ἡ ἈΠΟΣΤΑΣΙΑ

B. Holy ...