Lectionary Year A
October 27, 2002
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Step I: Initial Acquaintance
(JFC) B. TEXTUAL CRITICISM
In verse 3 a majority of textual editors change "oude" to "oute". However, many more Witnesses prefer to leave it as received. Perhaps the sound of the two words makes them possibly confusing. Both Greek words mean very nearly the same.
Then, in the 4th verse, some editors would add an article to God's name. Others find that change unnecessary. It is a common practice, but hardly changes the meaning with or without the article.
Some editors would omit the preposition, "en"
in verse 5. It is redundant, but might seem to add emphasis to the additional qualification, re: how Paul & his fellows came to the Thessalonians.
Perhaps the most significant emendation in this text comes in verse 7. There, a majority of editors, including Syriac & Latin, want to alter "nepioi" to read "hpioi". The latter is preferred in that it gets at the meaning of "mild, gentle, kind", according to Bauer's Arndt & Gingrich's A Greek-English Lectionary of the New Testament, Fourth Revised and Augmented Edition, 1952. This is the only variant in this text Metzger mentions in TCGNT, saying the majority of the committee preferred to retain the received, "nepioi".
Verse 8 finds editors suggesting another word meaning the same as "ho meiro", "menoi". Also, some would change the tense of "eudokoumen" from present to aorist. Meaning is the same, surely.
(JFC) C. ROUGH TRANSLATION
1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that the coming of us to you in vain did it , 2 but having already suffered and being hurt, as you know, in Philippi, we openly spoke in our God the message to you of the gospel of God in all conflicts. 3 For the appeal of ours not from deceit nor from impurity nor in treachery, 4 but as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, thus we speak, not by men to be pleasing, but by God who examines the hearts of ours. 5 For neither formerly in the speaking of flattery were we brought, as you know, nor in the pretext of greed, as God witnesses, 6 nor did we look for from anyone praise neither from you nor from anyone else, 7 we were enabled to claim high status to be as Christ's apostles. But we became childlike/gentle in the midst of you, as like a nurse/mother tenderly caring for her own child. 8 In this manner, we have much affection for you that we are glad to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our very selves, because beloved we have become.
(JEA) C. ROUGH TRANSLATION
1 For you yourselves, brothered-ones,
remember our inroad, the one (we took) toward you all, that it did not
become vain, 2 but having suffered previously and having been treated
outrageously - as you know - we spoke boldly in our God among the
Philippians to voice to you all the gospel of God in much struggle. 3
For our instruction in Christian behavior was (offered) neither out of
deceit nor out of impurity nor in guile, 4 but just as we have been
tried by God to be entrusted (with) the gospel - as we say - not as
laboring to please human beings but the God who tries our hearts.
5 For neither did we ever do our work (among you) in the speech of
advantage-seeking flattery - as you know - nor in the pretense that comes
from covetousness - God is witness! - 6 nor were we seeking glory out
of human beings, neither from you all nor from others, 7 we were being
strengthened in the weight of responsibility to be like the apostles of
Christ; yet, we were (behaving) in your midst (like one behaves with)
infants, just as if (we were) a nursing-one tending the children under her
care; 8 thus yearning for you we are pleased to impart to you all not
only the gospel of God, but also our very lives, because you all became to
us (God's) beloved-ones.
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