oneself on him: “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children” (Eph 5:1). This puts the lie to those who do not follow Christianity but profess to admire Christ’s teaching, and that usually in a bowdlerized form. Holiness means conforming to the character of God and at the same time rebuffing what is not in accordance with his character. The Thessalonian context provides excellent help with regard to God/the gods and one’s own ethic. A Thessalonian could look across the bay and have
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