Pax Romano Peace and Safety

PAX ROMANA - PEACE AND SAFETY

When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he was writing during the era historians call the Pax Romana, the Roman Peace. The is very important to take into consideration for their culture during their day.

Rome presented itself as the great provider of peace, order, stability, and security throughout the empire. After generations of civil war, Roman power had produced an extraordinary period of imperial stability.

A little history:

Pax Romana means Roman Peace. It refers to roughly 200 years of relative stability within the Roman Empire, conventionally beginning with the reign of Augustus in 27 BC and extending to the death of Marcus Aurelius in AD 180.

But Roman “peace” was maintained by Roman sword. Beneath that outward stability, tensions were building in Judea. Roman taxation, corrupt governors, religious tensions, revolutionary movements, and resentment toward Roman occupation were pushing the Jewish nation closer and closer to war.

Then Paul wrote these striking words and it fit with the times.

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

1 Thessalonians 5:3

Again, the cry of peace and safety fits naturally within the Roman world of Paul’s day. Rome’s emperors and imperial propaganda celebrated Rome as the bringer of peace, security, and stability after years of civil war. The people living under Roman rule were surrounded by this message: Rome’s power would preserve order and keep the empire secure. Yet while that confidence in Roman peace remained, trouble was brewing in Judea that would erupt into revolt in AD 66 and culminate in Jerusalem’s destruction in AD 70.

Paul’s words carried an ominous warning: “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them. The stage was set.

Paul does not specifically call this “Pax Romana,” so we should be careful not to use eisegesis and put words into the text. But also, we should not ignore the historical world in which his words were written either. His readers lived under an empire that celebrated peace and security, while Judea was moving toward catastrophic judgment.

In AD 66, the Jewish revolt exploded. Rome responded. Vespasian and then Titus brought the Roman armies against Judea, and in AD 70 Jerusalem was surrounded, the Temple was destroyed, and the city fell.

Now listen to Jesus:

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

Luke 21:20

For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

Luke 21:22

Fulfilled in their day, not ours. Remember, soon approaching.

The world of Roman peace and security became the historical backdrop for war, siege, and sudden destruction within that very generation.

Perhaps instead of immediately catapulting and projecting Paul’s “peace and safety” thousands of years into our future, we should first hear his words through the ears of the first century believers who actually received the letter. Audience relevance.

The audience and historical context is extremely important here and is a major focus of the hermetical guidelines