Four points in particular tell against
a christological reference here: (1) Even though this is not an actual citation
from scripture, not only has the text from Exod 34 been in Paul’s mind since v.
7, but its language has in certain specific ways influenced his own throughout
this whole passage; (2) While there are important christological aspects to the
discussion in this part of the letter, these are nevertheless secondary to a specifically
theological emphasis has been present since 2:14 . . . (3) When, in 1
Thess 1:9, Paul echoes the same missionary formulation which along with Exod
34:34 has influenced the wording of the present verse . . . the reference is explicitly
to God (epestrepsate pros ton Theon). (4) When Paul proceeds in the following
verse to identify the Lord, he does not do so with any specifically christological
title. (Victor Paul Furnish, II Corinthians [AB 32a; Garden City, N.Y.:
Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1984], 211-12)
