Institut für Neutestamentliche Wissenschaft

Epigraphical Commentary on the New Testament (ECNT)

  • Book Cover: Julien M. Ogereau: 1 Thessalonians Epigraphical Commentary on the New Testament I

  • The editors

    This project was developed by 

    Markus Öhler (University of Vienna), 

    Joseph Verheyden (KU Leuven), and 

    Thomas Corsten (University of Vienna). 

    Other partners are 

    Riet van Bremen (University College London), 

    Andrzej Chankowski (University of Poitiers), and

    Susanne Luther (Göttingen University).

  • The history

    The project began with two conferences and corresponding anthologies: first, a more general one on the connection between epigraphy and New Testament exegesis, and then one with individual studies on the Epistle to the Colossians. A first milestone has been reached with Julien Ogereau's commentary on 1 Thessalonians, which is available via open access, financed by the FWF 10.55776/P31343.

  • Current projects

    In February and March 2026, respectively, two new phases of the ECNT have begun: a commentary on Rev 1:1–8:1 (Romeo Popa) and a commentary on Paul's Letter to Philemon (Jason Valdez).

    These two projects are being financed by the Austrian Science Fund FWF (grant doi numbers 10.55776/PAT1530125, 10.55776/PAT4839925).

ECNT Publications

Several books and articles describe the ECNT project or are individual studies presenting findings.

Volumes of the commentary

Additional publications

  • Epigraphik und Neues Testament, edd. T.Corsten, M.Öhler und J.Verheyden, WUNT 365, Tübingen 2016.
  • Epigraphical Evidence Illustrating Paul's Letter to the Colossians, edd. J. Verheyden, T. Corsten und M.Öhler,WUNT 411, Tübingen 2018.
  • M.Öhler, “It is Written …”: Epigraphy and Pauline Exegesis, EC 15, 2024, 149-168.
  • M. Öhler, Der Geist im Römerbrief, EvTh 84, 2024, 360-371.
  • J. Ogereau, Πίστις, Ἀγάπη, and Ἐλπίς in 1 Thessalonians: New Insights from Old Stones, in: God's Grace Inscribed on the Human Heart, ed. Bolt, P.G., Sydney: SCD Press, 2022, 467-483.
  • J. Ogereau, “The Emergence and Development of Christianity in Thessalonica in the Post-Apostolic Age (II–VI CE): An Epigraphic and Archaeological Perspective”, in: The First Urban Churches, vol. 7: Thessalonica, edd. J. R. Harrison/L. L. Welborn, Atlanta 2022, 175-235.
  • J. Ogereau, Early Christianity in Macedonia, Early Christianity in Greece 2, Leiden: Brill 2023.
  • D. Hill - M. Öhler, Epigraphy and New Testament Exegesis, Religions 2024, 15(10), 1175.