摘要：Even though the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians have been somewhat neglected compared to other Pauline compositions,1there seems to be no end to the secondary literature which has grown up around them. No detail of these missives has escaped the microscopically precise analysis of NT scholars. Indeed entire monographs and anthologies have sprouted from small sections such as 2 Thessalonians chapter 2.1-12. Not occasionally such well intentioned scrutiny can lead to myopia, and that has perhaps been the case with the Gordian knot of the aforementioned passage. The antidote to myopia, of course, is the occasional panoramic view, and in this particular article, I would like to explore the neglected macro-theme of reputation which Paul has conscientiously woven through these two epistles
