It is technically incorrect to conclude that the dominant message of Philippians is the nurturing of Christian joy. The Greek word for “joy” (χαρᾶς) that Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians appears several times to the reader. According to A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG), this word is a term that refers to the human experience of gladness. As Paul uses the term in various locations, they together do not substantiate the letter’s intended purpose. When a reader carefully examines each use of the “joy” term among all verses (Phil 1:4, 1:25, 2:2, 2:29, 4:1), without including the similar term “rejoice,” it becomes clear that the purpose of the letter does not rest upon the meaning of joy concerning the Philippian believers. The use of the term joy and its meaning is intended to describe a state of being that accompanies the actual purpose of the letter.
The letter’s purpose is to direct the Philippian church toward a joyful unity in the life of the gospel. Paul warns believers against false teachers and ministers who would lead people into error and cause division and the loss of peace. By Paul’s encouragement, “joy” is merely an adjective to the noun “unity” in the gospel and life of the church. Paul doesn’t explicitly inform his readers that the purpose of his letter was to pursue joy, but their pursuit of unity infers its presence. Paul urges believers to strive toward a humility of mind in pursuit of unity. Like Christ, by following His example and practice, believers are to conduct themselves in peace, gentleness, confidence, and the knowledge of the gospel toward unity of mind. In contentment, while circumstances were either easy or difficult, Christ and Paul were models to imitate.
Conversely, from Philippi to Thessalonica, the believers in Macedonia were new believers (less than 2-years of age) concurrent to when Paul and his fellow workers established the church. The Thessalonian believers were susceptible to doubt, instability, and suspicion, so when Jewish hostilities emerged concerning Paul and the development of the church, he fled the city only to cause a loss of confidence among those left behind. As Paul proclaimed, his visit was not in vain, but it was necessary to restore their confidence after his abrupt departure by elaborating upon his background and further intentions. Paul’s ministry was made thoroughly credible by his appointment by Christ, background, hardships, and intentions, as demonstrated by other churches established within Cilicia, Galatia, and elsewhere. While he left Thessalonica, he did not abandon them.
Paul’s aspirations for those in Thessalonica aligned with Christ’s charge to make disciples. Their growth, development, and sanctification were a priority as he immediately sent his disciple Timothy toward that purpose. To build confidence upon his background and apostolic authority further, he commissioned Timothy to visit them and strengthen their faith. His appointment to Timothy was immediate while they were gathered together in Athens. Moreover, to further remove any suspicion from the Thessalonian church, Paul appeals to their memory about the warnings against the afflictions he was to suffer. They witnessed firsthand his escape as necessary to continue his ministry. The situation they together endured was a testimony to the authenticity of Paul’s work with them in the gospel and their fellowship as believers. Paul informed them that this was an indication that his work was for their benefit, and he did not intend to leave them to the wolves.
The location of the Thessalonian church in Macedonia was a region of convergence around a diversity of thought. Cultural influences from the Greco-Roman worldview of the populace had a bearing upon people to include new coverts and believers who brought with them presuppositions or religious and ideological baggage. In reference to 2 Thess 2:2, Paul’s warning about deceptive messages and letters was further attestation about the false intentions of people who were of some influence upon believers or the church itself.
Intentional or not, errors circulated among believers about the Parousia and eschatological concerns carried enough weight that he elaborated on what implications arose from false conclusions that potentially grew more widespread. As a corrective measure, to align diverse views and erroneous instruction toward eschatological truth, Paul draws the reader’s attention to revelatory facts based upon the authority of the Spirit and God’s word.
Paul doesn’t specifically elaborate upon the diversity of erroneous thought but instead focuses on truth as necessary to inform those of the church about what to believe. Regardless of background, Jew, Gentile, God-Fearer, Roman, Greek, or otherwise, Paul makes clear that the strengthening of the Thessalonians was of utmost necessity. Diversions from their sanctification stemming from the diverse and erroneous views without apostolic authority did not hold sway as formative doctrines and traditions were taking shape within the church.
It was false teaching among believers that the Parousia had already occurred. And while the Thessalonians didn’t believe the false teaching, there was a warning from Paul concerning neglect and abstention from work. With a sense of imminence concerning the return of the LORD taken root, the daily needs and interests of the church were not attended as they should. Believers, even recent converts, were obligated to satisfy daily life demands to assure the needs of people were met. Specifically, as no one would know the specific day or hour of Christ’s return, families and church members needed to remain in proper standing as contributors to the community, the economy, and family life. It was unethical to abstain from duties and responsibilities that assured sustenance and the growth or maintenance of people and the church.
As the Parousia had not already occurred, it was false teaching that it was in the past. Suppose believers had concluded that the second coming of Christ had already occurred, and they were consequently left out. In that case, they could have given themselves over to licentiousness or grave immorality in betrayal of their faith. False teaching to have this effect was of concern to Paul and his fellow workers in the gospel. A falling away of believers into apostasy would impede the growth and development of the church founded in Thessalonica. Consequently, it was necessary to clarify what circumstances and expectations were surrounding the return of Christ to believers there and in the region as a whole.
