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θεοδιδακτοι 1 Thessalonians 4.9: A Pauline Neologism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2006

STEPHEN E. WITMER
STEPHEN E. WITMER
Affiliation:
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, CB2 1RH, England
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Abstract

This essay argues that the attempts of John Kloppenborg and several others to explain Paul's neologism θεοδιδακτος in 1 Thess 4.9 are unsuccessful. An alternative explanation is offered by taking into consideration available evidence regarding compound neologisms in Koine Greek and by drawing upon Emmanuel Tov's work on LXX translation tendencies. It is suggested that Paul draws upon Isa 54.13 in forming his neologism in a manner analogous to the ‘reverse and combine’ pattern of LXX compound-word formation noted by Tov. Paul creates a new word as part of his larger epistolary strategy of strengthening the communal identity of the troubled Thessalonian community.

Type
Research Article
Information
New Testament Studies , Volume 52 , Issue 2 , April 2006 , pp. 239 - 250
Copyright
2006 Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

I am particularly grateful to Dr James K. Aitken, AHRB Research Fellow at the Department of Classics, University of Reading, for reading an early draft of this essay and making numerous helpful comments. Professor Graham N. Stanton, Professor Markus Bockmuehl and Dr Todd Wilson also provided valuable suggestions.