Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Thessalonians 5:27

"I adjure you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the brethren." — 1 Thessalonians 5:27 (ASV)

The third parting word is more than just a request. The formula “I charge you before the Lord” shows an unusual concern on Paul’s part regarding the possibility of his letter’s not being read. Invoking an oath and switching to the first person singular indicate his urgency. He may have feared that the contents of the letter might be limited to those interested in a particular issue (e.g., about those who had fallen asleep in Christ; 4:13–18). Perhaps he was aware that some were already at work attributing wrong teaching to his name and authority (2 Thessalonians 2:2). Or he could have feared a breakdown in communications between the church’s leadership and some of the communicants within the church (4:11–12; 5:12–13). Probably Paul sensed the far-reaching import of the teaching of the letter and its binding authority as part of a canon of Scripture (1 Corinthians 14:37). Whatever the case, this charge has implications of divine punishment for failure to comply. The first recipients of the letter, probably the church leaders, were bound under oath “to have this letter read to all the brothers.” Obviously it was to be read aloud, in line with the classical meaning of “read” (GK 336). With few people receiving a formal education, not all participants in Christian circles were able to read for themselves. The further limitation of insufficient copies and expense of writing materials prohibited distribution to all. The only solution was to give the letter a place in public worship alongside the OT Scripture, the consequence of which would eventually be ecclesiastical recognition of its authority as an inspired book.