1 & 2 Thessalonians (Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 45 | WBC)

von F. F. Bruce

Verlag:

Word

, 1982

Overview

Detailed exegesis defines any commentary written by F.F. Bruce. Here, Bruce’s efforts provide detailed analysis of the Thessalonian context, the spread of the gospel in Macedonia, and a review of the textual transmission of these early New Testament books. Bruce explains why the Christian message caused a riot at Thessalonica, and traces the church’s anxieties over the return of Christ, clarifying Paul’s cautious response to speculation in Thessalonica and a discussion of how to deal with persecution.

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.

Contents

Top Highlights

“The gospel reached Macedonia less than twenty years after the death of Christ. One of the earliest Christian documents (if not absolutely the earliest extant)—the first Pauline letter to the Thessalonians—was sent, probably toward the end of a.d. 50, to the Christian community in Thessalonica.” (Page xxi)

“‘Word alone’ here means speech unaccompanied by the convincing power of the Holy Spirit. Such speech, however eloquent and moving, would be ineffective in evoking faith from the hearers.” (Page 14)

“It appears more probable from the context that a general abandonment of the basis of civil order is envisaged. This is not only rebellion against the law of Moses; it is a large-scale revolt against public order, and since public order is maintained by the ‘governing authorities’ who ‘have been instituted by God,’ any assault on it is an assault on a divine ordinance (Rom 13:1, 2). It is, in fact, the whole concept of divine authority over the world that is set at defiance in ‘the rebellion’ par excellence.” (Page 167)

“The hope which believing Jews and Christians had in face of death was the hope of resurrection; for Christians this hope was grounded in the resurrection of Christ.” (Page 96)

“‘The triad of faith, hope and love is the quintessence of the God-given life in Christ’” (Page 12)

About F. F. Bruce

F. F. Bruce (1910-1990) was Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at the University of Manchester in England. During his distinguished career, he wrote many bestselling commentaries and books, including The Canon of Scripture, Paul: Apostle of the Free Spirit, and The Epistle to the Galatians: New International Greek Testament Commentary. He also served as general editor of The New International Commentary on the New Testament.