The Word Uninformed In The Greek Analysis

1st Thessalonians was possibly written by the Apostle Paul somewhere between 50 and 51 A.D. It was written to a body of believers who were undergoing persecution, encouraging them to keep the faith. According to Acts 17, Paul was preaching in Thessalonica with Silas but had to escape because some of the Jews started a riot and dragged some of the believers before the council. The Jews felt that the some of the residents committed treason by pleading their alligiance to another king other than Ceasar, which was actually Jesus that Paul preached about. Pau’s ministry to the Thessalonians was something that he didn't accomplish alone because when he had to lead town, Silas and Timothy stayed behind and ministered to them (Acts 17:14) Thus, the

Their misunderstanding of things was displayed through their response to those around them. Paul says to them in verse 14 “But we don't wont you to be uniformed brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as if you have no hope.” The word uninformed in the greek is the word agneo which means “not to recognize or understand.” This definition helped me to understand that this word had more to do with clarity than intelligence. What were they misinformed about? The flow of thought that Paul uses here denotes that there misunderstanding is connected to their grief over Christians who have already passed on. “Paul’s expression I would not have you to be ignorant is used when he enlightens them concerning practical problems which arose, difficult questions they posed, and personal matters on which there was no agreement. Here their question was, will the saints who have died before the coming of the Lord participate in the coming of the Lord.” Paul begins to answers this question in the passage. The continuation of verse 13 “that you may not grieve as you have no hope.” Paul is not discounting the reality of the human experience that is grief because he himself faced a moment in time where he too nearly grieved. According to Philippians 2:27, when his friend Epaphroditus,was sick and nearly died, God had mercy on him so he (Paul) would not have to sorrow one

He says in verse 18 “Therefore, encourage one another with these words.” Paul says this in the present imperative voice which refers to future and continuous or repeated action. As the believers continued to dwell and await the coming of Christ, they were admonished to encourage one another regularly with the word that Paul shared with them concerning this. “These words” that Paul speaks of is the message of hope that comes from faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This message of hope was foundational for the faith of the believers in thessolonica and the same message was to empower them until it became a reality in their lives. “It’s easy to be fascinated with the thoughts of the future but unless they are kept constantly before our minds, they fail to influence our lives.” There willingness to share this message would cultivate a sense of hope to those in despair and a sense of unity amongst the believers who will eventually witness this message of hope being manifested in their lives before