Abstract
Various points of evidence corroborate the hypothesis that 1 Thess. 2.13-16 is authentic. Careful syntactical analysis demonstrates the text's formal consistency with its context. Several details indicate that the expression 'the Jews' refers only to the persecutors of the Judean church and that the judgment of v. 16 is imminent, not realized. Con sequently, the alleged theological contradiction with Rom. 11.25-32 is ameliorated. Further examination of alleged linguistic inconsis tencies between the text and the rest of 1 Thessalonians reveals that the text is entirely consistent with the style of other, undisputed Pauline texts. The balance of the evidence thus favors the text's authenticity, especially in light of its universal external attestation.
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