Work and Community in the Thessalonian Correspondence

In this insightful book, Gift Mtukwa argues convincingly that for Paul, “work” serves to shape Christian communities into the self-giving character of Christ. Clearly written and exegetically rock-solid, the book unfolds a coherent theology of work in Paul’s Thessalonian correspondence, one that spotlights work as an expression of love for others.

Dean Flemming, PhD
Professor of New Testament and Missions, MidAmerica Nazarene University, Kansas, USA

Gift Mtukwa provides us with a biblical and theological foundation from the Thessalonian correspondence that demonstrates the value of work in forming and maintaining community. His methodology, African biblical hermeneutics, highlights the importance of recognizing the contextual situatedness of the reader. This is an excellent resource for the student as well as the scholar.

Elizabeth Mburu, PhD
Associate Professor of New Testament and Greek, Pan Africa Christian University, Nairobi, Kenya

This book is an important addition to the growing body of biblical “work” studies, especially because it links work to its central community-formation intent through perceptive African eyes. it also defies traditionalist objections which falsely bifurcate service as “God as mammon.”

Fletcher Tink, PhD
PhD Director in Transformational Development, Asia Graduate School of Theology, Manila, Philippines

1. Acknowledgements
2. Abstract
3. List of Abbreviations
4. Chapter 1 Background of the Study, Survey of Scholarship, and Methodology
1. Thesis Statement
2. Justification of the Study
3. Survey of Scholarship
4. Historical-Critical Issues Related to Work and Community in Thessalonian Correspondence
5. Ancient City of Thessalonica – Economic and Political Background
1. Paul’s Ministry at Thessalonica
2. Authorship, Audience, and Date of Writing
3. Conclusion
6. Methodology
7. Suggested Contribution to Knowledge
8. Limitations of the Study
9. Working Definitions
10. Outline of the Study
5. Chapter 2 Work and Community in African Worldview
1. Introduction
2. African Worldview or Worldviews?
3. God and Ancestors in the African Context
4. African Idea of Community
5. Individual and Community Obligations
6. Age Sets, Work Parties, and Community
7. Work and Community in the Household
8. Conclusion: Work and Community in the African Traditional Society
6. Chapter 3 Work and Community in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Qumran Community
1. Introduction
2. Qumran Community and the Dead Sea Scrolls
3. Wealth and Work in the Dead Sea Scrolls
1. Wealth in the Damascus Document (CD) and the Rule of the Community (1QS)
2. Work and Community at Qumran
3. Work and Community: Archaeological Evidence
4. Work and Community in the Scrolls: Obligations for the Community Members
5. Synthesis – Dead Sea Scrolls on Work and Community
4. Conclusion on Dead Sea Scrolls and Qumran Community on Work and Community
7. Chapter 4 Work and Community in the Greco-Roman Perspectives
1. Introduction
2. Work and Community in the Greco-Roman Household
3. Work and Community in Epicurean Philosophical School
4. Work and Community in Greco-Roman Associations
1. Definition, Purpose, and Membership of Associations
2. Financial Obligations in Association
3. Responsibilities Inside and Outside Associations
4. Summary of Work and Community in Associations
5. Conclusion – Work and Community in Greco-Roman Perspectives
8. Chapter 5 Work and Community in First Thessalonians
1. Introduction
2. The Work of the Apostles and the Beginning of Community Life at Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 2:8–9
1. Introduction
2. Work as Sharing Community Life: “Mgeni siku mbili, ya tatu mpe jembe”
3. The Workshop as Platform for Paul’s Preaching
3. Brotherly/Sisterly Love, Work, and Community in 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12
1. Introduction
2. Φιλαδελφία and Community Life
3. Φιλαδελφία Demonstrated
4. The Implication of Proper Behaviour to All Humanity
4. Work in Service of the Community in 1 Thessalonians 5:12–14
1. Introduction
2. Are the Injunctions General or Specific?
3. Recognition of Community Workers
4. Censoring of ὁι  τάκτοι
5. Conclusion
9. Chapter 6 Working, Eating, and Community Life in 2 Thessalonians 3:6–15
1. Introduction
2. Literary Context of 2 Thessalonians 3:6–15
3. The Problem of Walking in Idleness
4. Paul as the Paradigm for the Community 2 Thessalonians 3:7–9
5. Paul’s Διδαχη on Work and Eating in 2 Thessalonians 3:10: “A Lazy Person Kills the Whole Community”
1. What is the Occasion for the ἄτακτοι?
2. Meals in Early Christian Communities
3. Exclusion of the  τάκτοι from Participation in Communal Meals
6. Paul’s Paradigm and Its Application 2 Thessalonians 3:11–12
7. Discipline on Account of Refusing to Work in 2 Thessalonians 3:13–15
8. Conclusion
10. Chapter 7 Conclusion
1. Summary and Conclusions
2. Contributions
3. Further Studies
11. Bibliography