Paul and the Apocalyptic Triumph: An Investigation of the Usage of Jewish and Greco-Roman Imagery in 1 Thess. 4:13–18(1 Apocalypticism)

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 has long been the quintessential Pauline text on the parousia of Christ. Nowhere else does Paul reveal a more vivid picture of Christ’s coming. The apostle Paul employs a number of images to describe the parousia to the Thessalonian congregation who have become anxious, grief-stricken, and despairing in the midst of the loss of their loved ones. Until recently scholars have held that Paul’s use of imagery in 1 Thess. 4:13–18 was either inspired by Greco-Roman imperial categories or Jewish apocalyptic categories. Michael E. Peach provides a fresh examination of imagery in 1 Thess. 4:13–18 arguing that Paul synthesizes both the Jewish and Greco-Roman imagery. With careful analysis, Peach traces the history of interpretation of Pauline eschatology finding patterns of thought concerning the source of inspiration of Paul’s use of imagery. Utilizing these patterns, the author further examines the meaning and function of four images employed by Paul: «a loud command,» «the sound of an archangel,» «the trumpet of God,» and «the meeting of the Lord.» Ultimately, Peach’s discoveries demonstrate that Paul synthesizes apocalyptic and Greco-Roman triumph imagery to create a dramatic mosaic of the apocalyptic triumph, the parousia of Jesus Christ.

Table of Contents:
Contents: The History of Interpretation of Pauline Eschatology – The Meaning and Function of the Theophanic, Apocalyptic, and Greco-Roman Imagery Located Outside the Context of 1 Thess. 4:13-18 43 – The Meaning and Function of the Theophanic, Apocalyptic, and Greco-Roman Imagery in 1 Thess. 4:13-18.

About the Author :
Michael E. Peach (PhD, New Testament, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary) is Adjunct Professor of New Testament Studies at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of several articles for the Lexham Bible Dictionary and the Lexham Theological Wordbook.

Review :
«Michael E. Peach’s fine investigation of Paul’s use of Jewish and Greco-Roman imagery in 1 Thess. 4:13–18 weighs the evidence with skill and care and helps us see how Paul synthesized material from various backgrounds to paint a picture of Christ’s apocalyptic triumph which could provide the Thessalonians with a hope even more profound than the challenges they faced. It will enrich the understanding of students and scholars alike.» (Roy E. Ciampa, Manager of Biblical Scholarship and Integrated Training, Nida Institute, American Bible Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) «I am happy to commend Michael E. Peach’s work on 1 Thessalonians 4. This book adds to the knowledge of Paul’s letters through its painstaking analysis of the passage. The lexical work in particular gives valuable historical background to the seminal Pauline text. Readers will also benefit from the survey on Paul and apocalyptic thought provided at the beginning of the work.» (Sean M. McDonough, Professor of New Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Massachusetts)