The Letters to the Thessalonians

Voorkant
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2002 - 400 pagina's
In 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.

 

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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
Index of Modern Authors
361
Index of Subjects
365
Index of Scripture References
367
Index of Extrabiblical Literature
391
Copyright

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Over de auteur (2002)

Gene L. Green is professor of New Testament at Wheaton College and Graduate School. Before coming to Wheaton, he taught for thirteen years in Latin America.

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