The Letters to the ThessaloniansIn this commentary Gene Green reads Paul's two letters to the Thessalonians in light of the canon of Scripture and of new knowledge about the first-century world of Thessalonica. This fruitful approach helps illuminate the impact of the gospel on its original readers and, in turn, shows how potent a force it can be for the church and society today. The book begins with an in-depth study of the Thessalonians themselves -- their history, land, socioeconomic conditions, and religious environment. This fascinating discussion gives the necessary context for fully appreciating the circumstances surrounding the founding of the city's first church and the subsequent struggles of the Thessalonian believers to live out their Christian faith. The main body of the book provides informed verse-by-verse commentary on 1 & 2 Thessalonians that extracts the fullest possible meaning from these important New Testament texts. As Green's exposition shows, the Thessalonian scriptures are especially valuable as letters of friendship and for showing Paul's pastoral concern for the many areas in which the Thessalonians needed guidance. Some of Paul's purposes are to thank the new believers for their steadfastness amid suffering, to encourage them in their trials, to urge them not to neglect their daily work, and, no less important, to teach them about the future of believers who die before Christ returns. Indeed, the matter of the last things and the second coming of Christ so permeates these texts that they are often called Paul's eschatological letters. Filled with new information about ancient society, this commentary will fast become a standard reference work for Bible study. Bycarefully bridging the biblical and modern worlds, Green shows with clarity and warmth the continuing relevance of 1 & 2 Thessalonians for contemporary readers. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
II A SUMMARY HISTORY OF MACEDONIA AND THESSALONICA | 8 |
III THE GOVERNMENT OF THESSALONICA | 20 |
IV THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC WORLDS OF THESSALONICA | 25 |
V RELIGION IN THESSALONICA | 31 |
VI THE GOSPEL AND THE THESSALONIANS | 47 |
VII THE AUTHORSHIP OF 1 AND 2 THESSALONIANS | 54 |
B 2 Thessalonians | 59 |
8 Do not put out the Spirits fireProphecy in the Community 51922 | 260 |
IV MAY GOD HIMSELFTHE FINAL PRAYER GREETINGS AND BLESSING 52328 | 266 |
B Greet all the brothers and sisters 52627 | 270 |
C The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you 528 | 272 |
I PAUL SILVANUS AND TIMOTHY TO THE CHURCH OF THE THESSALONIANSTHE EPISTOLARY SALUTATION 112 | 277 |
II YOUR FAITH IS GROWING AND YOUR LOVE IS INCREASINGTHANKSGIVING AND PRAYERS FOR THE FAITH LOVE AND STEADFA... | 278 |
A We must always give thanks to God for youThe First Thanksgiving 135 | 279 |
B It is indeed just of God to repay with affliction those who afflict youThe Destiny of the Persecutors 1610 | 286 |
1 Literary Arguments | 60 |
2 The Argument from Form | 61 |
3 The Theological Argument | 62 |
VIII THE ORDER OF THE EPISTLES | 64 |
IX THE STRUCTURE OF 1 AND 2 THESSALONIANS | 69 |
I PAUL SILAS AND TIMOTHY TO THE CHURCH OF THE THESSALONIANSTHE EPISTOLARY GREETING 11 | 81 |
II WE ALWAYS THANK GOD FOR ALL OF YOUTHE COMING OF THE GOSPEL AND ITS RECEPTION 1210 | 86 |
III YOU KNOWTHE BODY OF THE LETTER 21522 | 111 |
2 We also thank Godyou received the word of GodThe Reception of the Gospel 21316 | 138 |
3 We were torn away from youThe Exit of the Apostles and the Attempts to Return 21720 | 150 |
4 We sent TimothyThe Mission of Timothy 315 | 156 |
5 But Timothy has just now come to usThanksgiving to God for the Thessalonians 3610 | 165 |
6 Now may our Godclear the way for us to come to youThe Prayer to Return to Thessalonica 31113 | 175 |
B You know what instructions we gave youThe Life That Pleases God 41522 | 181 |
1 We instructed you how to live in order to please GodThe Introduction 412 | 182 |
2 You should avoid sexual immoralitySanctification 438 | 187 |
3 Now aboutResponses to Questions 49511 | 202 |
b Those who fall asleep 41318 | 213 |
c Times and dates 5111 | 229 |
4 Respect those who work hard among youThe Community and Its Leadership 51213 | 246 |
5 Warnencouragehelpbe patientLife in Community 514 | 252 |
6 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrongThe Life of Nonretaliation 515 | 255 |
7 Be joyfulpraygive thanksCommunion with God 51618 | 257 |
C To this end we will always pray for youThe Remembrance of Prayers to Be Worthy of Gods Call 11112 | 296 |
III AS TOTHE BODY OF THE LETTER 21315 | 300 |
2 But we must always give thanks to God for youThe Second Thanksgiving 21314 | 325 |
3 Stand firm and hold fast to the traditionsExhortation to Steadfastness 215 | 329 |
4 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our FatherThe First Prayer 21617 | 330 |
B Finally brothers and sistersFinal Instructions 3115 | 334 |
b But the Lord is faithful he will strengthen youConfidence in the Lord 334 | 337 |
c May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of GodThe Second Prayer 35 | 339 |
2 Now we command youThe Problem of the Disorderly 3615 | 341 |
a Keep away from believers who are living in idlenessThe First Exhortation to the Community 36 | 343 |
b We were not idle when we were with youThe Example of the Apostles 3710 | 345 |
c Work quietly and earn your own livingThe Second Exhortation to the Disorderly 31112 | 350 |
d Do not be weary in doing what is rightThe Third Exhortation to the Community 313 | 353 |
e Take note of those who do not obeyDiscipline in the Community 31415 | 354 |
HIMSELF GIVE YOU PEACETHE THIRD PRAYER AND FINAL GREETINGS 31618 | 357 |
B I Paul write this greetingThe Apostolic Greeting and Guarantee 317 | 358 |
C The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you allThe Final Benediction 318 | 359 |
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365 | |
367 | |
391 | |