First and Second Thessalonians

by Gaventa, Beverly Roberts

• ISBN13: 9780804231428
• ISBN10: 0804231427
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-03-01
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Pr

Summary

In this brilliant commentary, Beverly Roberts Gaventa discusses the issues central to the books of Thessalonians, identifying what makes each book important for the life of the church today, as well as for preachers and teachers.Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching is a distinctive resource for those who interpret the Bible in the church. Planned and written specifically for teaching and preaching needs, this critically acclaimed biblical commentary is a major contribution to scholarship and ministry.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST THESSALONIANS	1	(9)
The Author and Audience	2	(3)
The Form and Purpose of 1 Thessalonians	5	(2)
The Structure of the Letter	7	(1)
The Reading of a Letter	8	(2)
COMMENTARY ON FIRST THESSALONIANS	10	(51)
Grace to You and Peace 1 Thessalonians 1:1	10	(3)
Profusion of Thanksgiving 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10	13	(9)
Remembering the Work of the Apostles 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16	22	(17)
2:1-12 Apostles Worthy of God	23	(8)
Reflection: Maternal Imagery in the Letters of Paul	31	(3)
2:13-16 Receiving and Opposing the Word of God	34	(5)
Separation and Reassurance 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13	39	(9)
2:17-3:5 We Could Bear It No Longer	40	(3)
3:6-10 Timothy's Return	43	(2)
3:11-13 A Concluding Prayer for Love	45	(3)
Concerning Lives That Please God 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12	48	(13)
4:1-2 Instructions through the Lord Jesus	49	(2)
4:3-8 The Call to Hotliness	51	(5)
4:9-12 Philadelphia (The Love of Brothers and Sisters)	56	(5)
INTERPRETATION	61	(28)
Comforted and Challenged by the Return of the Lord 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11	61	(18)
4:13-18 Comforted by the Hope of the Lord's Return	62	(7)
5:1-11 Challenged by the Hope of the Lord's Return	69	(7)
Reflection: Preaching and Teaching Eschatology	76	(3)
Conduct within the Community of Believers 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24	79	(8)
Read This Letter! 1 Thessalonians 5:25-28	87	(2)
INTRODUCTION TO SECOND THESSALONIANS	89	(9)
The Structure of the Letter: 1 Thessalonians Recalled	90	(1)
The Content of the Letter: 1 Thessalonians Rejected?	91	(2)
The Question of Authorship and Audience	93	(1)
The "Nuclear Holocaust" Response	94	(1)
A Difficult Letter and the Question of Significance	95	(3)
COMMENTARY ON SECOND THESSALONIANS	98	(37)
Grace to You and Peace 2 Thessalonians 1:1-2	98	(1)
Thanksgiving and Judgment 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12	98	(9)
The Return of the Lord and the Revelation of Evil 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17	107	(17)
2:1-2 Shaken Up by the Day of the Lord	108	(2)
2:3-12 The Defeat of Delusion	110	(8)
Reflection: The Persistence of Evil	118	(3)
2:13-17 Continuing in God's Calling	121	(3)
The Things Commanded 2 Thessalonians 3:1-15	124	(8)
3:1-5 The Word of the Lord	125	(5)
3:6-15 A Solemn Warning about Idleness	127	(5)
Peace at All Times in All Ways 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18	132	(3)
Bibliography	135