The research project involves the preparation of a papyrological commentary on the First Epistle to the Thessalonians, which was written by the Apostle Paul and is one of the most significant epistles of the New Testament (NT). Papyrological commentaries on the NT analyze documentary sources such as papyri, ostraca, as well as wooden and wax tablets from the Greco-Roman period in order to better understand the context in which the NT—in this case, Paul’s letter—was written. The analysis of such documentary sources from Egypt is an ongoing research project, the results of which are published in the series »PKNT/Papyrologische Kommentare zum Neuen Testament«.
The already published volumes of the PKNT-series show that the documentary sources can and have already shed light on some aspects of the NT and its environment. The text under research Pauls First Letter to the Thessalonians is concerning its level of Greek language one of the most demanding texts of the NT. Its interpretation is important not only for Christian theology, but also for Christian-Jewish dialogue. As such the research deals not only with the interpretation of a text from antiquity but may also contribute to the dialogue between two Abrahamitic religions.
The Papyrological Commentary on 1 Thessalonians will apply to this Letter of Paul what the volumes already published in the series of Papyrological Commentaries on the New Testament have demonstrated in terms of content for other New Testament books (Letter to Philemon, 1 and 2 Corinthians, and 2 Thessalonians). The principal investigator has been working on the Papyrological Commentary on the Letter to the Romans since 2022. In this FWF project, the first volume (Romans 1–6) is now being prepared.
Unlike the other volumes, the Papyrological Commentary on 1 Thessalonians has its own, somewhat longer history. Andreas Bammer had actually intended to publish this volume, but he died unexpectedly in 2021. During a conversation between the project director and Peter Arzt-Grabner, one of the editors of the Papyrological Commentaries on the New Testament, the idea arose to submit a proposal for an FWF project based on Andreas Bammer’s preliminary work in order to complete this volume. The approval of the project also serves to recognize the value of Andreas Bammer’s preliminary work. The research project uses this preliminary work as a foundation upon which to develop a volume in the series.
01/2026–12/2029
