1 & 2 Thessalonians: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition (NBBC)

by Terence Paige

Publisher:

Beacon Hill

, 2017

Overview

Possibly the earliest Christian documents, the Thessalonians letters are addressed to Christians in a society surrounded by polytheism and nestled at the crossroads of an empire. With topics ranging from Christology and the second coming to ethics and holy living, these writings are a balm to the suffering, an encouragement to the struggling, and an admonishment to the idle.

Terence Paige deftly handles the content of Thessalonians as well as issues of authorship and composition. He expertly marries both the academic and spiritual tasks of spiritual study to produce an NBBC volume that is a welcome addition to the libraries of lay and clergy alike.

Key Features

• The latest scholarship from notable experts in the Wesleyan tradition
• Convenient introductory material for each book of the Bible, including information on authorship, dating, history, audience, sociological/cultural issues, purpose, literary features, theological themes, hermeneutical issues, and more
• Comprehensive annotation divided into three sections:
  • Background elements behind the text
  • Verse-by-verse details and meanings
  • Significance, relevance, intertextuality, and application

Contents

• 1 Thessalonians
  • Greeting: 1 Thessalonians 1:1
  • Thanksgiving: 1 Thessalonians 1:2–10
  • Paul and the Thessalonians: 1 Thessalonians 2:1–3:10
  • Second Prayer: 1 Thessalonians 3:11–13
  • Exhortations and Encouragement: 1 Thessalonians 4:1–5:11
  • The Community of Christ: 1 Thessalonians 5:12–24
  • Epistolary Closing: 1 Thessalonians 5:25–28
• 2 Thessalonians
  • Greeting: 2 Thessalonians 1:1–2
  • Thanksgiving and Excursus on Divine Justice: 2 Thessalonians 1:3–12
  • About the Parousia and the Man of Lawlessness: 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12
  • The Thessalonians Stand in Contrast to the Deceived: Thanksgiving, Exhortation, Prayer: 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17
  • Request for Prayer: 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5
  • Exhortation: 2 Thessalonians 3:6–15
  • Closing: 2 Thessalonians 3:16–18

Top Highlights

“God accounts the Thessalonians worthy because of their faithfulness to him and his Son. They have demonstrated their faith by being willing to witness to a hostile society and by standing their ground despite suffering for that witness. Their suffering and God’s judgment are related. It is not that their suffering ‘earns’ the kingdom; it affirms that they already belong to it. Their faith was evidenced by their actions. Verse 5 functions to give consolation. God’s judgment tests and approves the Thessalonians’ faith (Marshall 1983, 173; see 1 Pet 4:17–19).” (Page 199)

“Paul is not explicitly speaking of the election of individuals, but rather of a church, a collective community called to be the people of God. For him, election is corporate (Best 1986, 72; Marshall 1983, 53; Richard 1995, 63). To be ‘elect’ defines one’s present condition as a believer. The elect are those people who have responded in faith to the gospel. Election is not a guarantee of future salvation. Nor is it a license to sin without consequences. Just as in Israel, individuals could break covenant and apostatize (Lightfoot 1957, 12; Marshall 1983, 53; see Witherington 2006, 65–70). On the contrary, being God’s people is ‘election to the service of God’ (Best 1986, 72). It is an assignment, not a basis for presumption.” (Page 59)

“Those who believe, live, and proclaim Christ are beginning to appear just as bizarre to their societies as did the Thessalonians in theirs. Will we turn from our cultural idols to give ultimate allegiance to the true and living God alone? It still demands courage for Christians to proclaim faith, love, and hope.” (Page 70)

Product Details

• Title: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition
• Author: Terence Paige
• Series: New Beacon Bible Commentary (NBBC)
• Publisher: Beacon Hill
• Publication Date: 2017
• Pages: 272
• Christian Group: Methodist and Wesleyan
• Resource Type: Commentaries
• Topic: Biblical Studies

About Terence Paige

Terence Paige is professor of New Testament and coordinator of biblical studies at Houghton College. He has also taught at Belfast Bible College in Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) and serves on the local district board of ministerial development for the Wesleyan Church. He has a PhD from the University of Sheffield (England) as well as earned degrees from Regent College, Vancouver (Canada), and Seattle Pacific University. He has published multiple articles in Bible dictionaries and academic journals.