World English Bible · Under Rome
2 Thessalonians 3
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Finally, brothers, for us, that the word of may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you, and that we may be from unreasonable and evil men; for not all have . But is , who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. We have confidence in concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command. May direct your into love and into the of Christ. Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our , that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion and not after the tradition which they received from us. For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn't behave ourselves rebelliously among you, neither did we eat bread from anyone's hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we don't have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: "If anyone is not willing to work, don't let him eat." For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don't work at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in , that they work with quietness and eat their own bread. But you, brothers, don't be weary in doing what is right. If any man doesn't our word in this letter, note that man and have no company with him, to the end that he may be . Don't count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now may of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. be with you all. I, , write this greeting with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter. This is how I write. The of our be with you all. .
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The world at this moment · Under Rome, 63 BC to AD 100 ›
Judea as a client kingdom and then a province. Roads, garrisons, taxes, crucifixion, and a common Greek language that let a message travel the empire faster than any before it.
- Rome
- The republic tears itself apart in civil war and comes out as an empire under Augustus. What follows is two centuries of relative peace across the whole Mediterranean, enforced by legions and paid for by taxes, with safe roads and safe sea lanes. Every one of Paul's journeys depends on that.
- Judea
- Governed first through Herod the Great, a client king of enormous ability and enormous brutality who rebuilds the temple into one of the wonders of the ancient world, then directly by Roman prefects. Crucifixion is the standard penalty for sedition and is used often and publicly.
- The wider world
- Greek is spoken from Spain to Syria, which means a letter written in Corinth can be read in Rome without translation. Jewish communities already exist in most major cities, which is where the first Christian preaching lands. Mystery religions, imperial cult, and philosophy all compete in the same marketplace.
- Further afield
- The Han dynasty rules China and trades silk westward along routes that touch the Roman world at second hand. In Britain the Roman conquest begins within a decade of the crucifixion.