Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Thessalonians 5:11

The modification in the primitive attitude of Christians to the Parousia of Jesus is significant. Instead of all expecting to be alive at that blessed crisis, the inroads of death had now forced men to the higher consolation that “it did not make the least difference whether one became partaker of the blessings of that event in the ranks of the dead or of the living. The question whether the Parousia was to happen sooner or later was no longer of paramount importance. The important thing was to cultivate that attitude of mind which the writer of this epistle recommended” (Baur). οἰκοδομεῖτε, the term sums up all the support and guidance that a Christian receives from the fellowship of the church (cf. Beyschlag's N.T. Theology, ii. 232). καθὼς καὶ ποιεῖτε, another instance (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:10) of Paul's fine courtesy and tact. He is careful to recognise the Thessalonians' attainments, even while stirring them up to further efforts.

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Thessalonians 5:11

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