1-2 Thessalonians

by Nijay K Gupta

Overview

In the first century, the Thessalonian church grieved deaths in their community, endured harsh persecution, and struggled with questions about the future. Paul offered them the comforts and reassurances of hope in the Messiah Jesus. But he offered far more than wishful thinking or pie-in-the-sky comfort. Paul's emphasis on hope in the Messiah Jesus involved capturing a vision of God's redeemed and just future in order to see and live faithfully today. Paul did not believe in a passive hope, but an active hope where, if the Day of the Messiah is a beacon, believers set their course and diligently move toward it. That diligence is especially captured by love for Christian brothers and sisters, commitment to honest and productive work, and obedience to the truth of the gospel of Lord Messiah Jesus.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781625644480
Publisher:	Cascade Books
Publication date:	07/12/2016
Series:	New Covenant Commentary
Pages:	204
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Nijay K. Gupta is Assistant Professor of New Testament at George Fox Evangelical Seminary, Portland, OR. His recent books include a commentary on Colossians and Prepare, Succeed, Advance: Getting a PhD in Biblical Studies and Beyond (Wipf & Stock).

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Abbreviations List ix

Introduction 1

Excursus: Was the Church of the Thessalonians a Male-Only Guild? 8

Excursus: Gentile Believers Incorporated into Israel's Story through Jesus 12

Excursus: Hypothesizing a Clandestine Attack 14

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians (1 Thess 1:1-10) 38

Fusing the Horizons: Blood-Blind in the New Covenant Community 42

Fusing the Horizons: Metamorphosis 45

Paul's Blameless Ministry (1 Thess 2:1-12) 50

Excursus: Gentle or Infants? (2:7b) 55

Fusing the Horizons: Integrity and Transparency in New Covenant Leadership 59

Praiseworthy Endurance Amidst Persecution (1 Thess 2:13-16) 61

Excursus: Could Paul Have Written 1 Thess 2:14-16? 62

Fusing the Horizons: A Hospitable Community for All People 64

Paul's Love, Pride, and Concern (1 Thess 2:17-3:13) 66

Fusing the Horizons: Life Together 74

Exhortation to Persevere and Grow in Holiness, Love, and Integrity (1 Thess 4:1-12) 77

Excursus: Sexual Immorality in the Greco-Roman World 79

Excursus: "Sibling Love" (philadelphia) SJ

Fusing the Horizons: A New Covenant Community of Love 86

Excursus: Work and Quietness 88

Fusing the Horizons: Living Quiet Lives in a Noisy World 90

The Hopeful Fate of the Christian Dead (1 Thess 4:13-18) 92

Fusing the Horizons: The New Covenant People of Hope 100

The Day of the Lord: Preparedness and Perseverance, Not Prediction (1 Thess 5:1-11) 102

Excursus: Whose Peace and Security? 105

Fusing the Horizons: War and Peace: The New Covenant Community in Action 108

Final Instruction (1 Thess 5:12-28) 111

Fusing the Horizons: The New Covenant Community, A People of Prayer 119

Thanksgiving and Hope (2 Thess 1:1-12) 120

Excursus: Eternal Destruction (2 Thess 1:9)? 126

Fusing the Horizons: Can Suffering for the Kingdom Be a Blessing? 128

Perseverance and Hope (2 Thess 2:1-17) 131

Fusing the Horizons: Living beyond Fear 144

Mission and Community (2 Thess 3:1-18) 145

Fusing the Horizons: Leadership and Work 153

Bibliography 155

Subject Index 163

Scripture Index 183

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"In conversation with the best interpreters of the Thessalonian letters across the centuries, Nijay Gupta offers us a rich feast of insights into these very early Christian Scriptures. Simultaneously accessible and perceptive, attentive to historical context as well as contemporary theological and spiritual concerns, this is a commentary for students, pastors, and all readers of Paul."
—Michael J. Gorman, Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology, St. Mary's Seminary & University

"Nijay Gupta's commentary on 1 and 2 Thessalonians demonstrates reliable, even-handed scholarship, theological and pastoral sensitivity, and a masterful ability to lay out the letters' substance and basic flow of thought in an engaging style that is a pleasure to read. These qualities, along with its manageable size, make it ideal for use in the classroom and for local church pastors and teachers. Highly recommended!"
—Andy Johnson, Professor of New Testament, Nazarene Theological Seminary

"Here is a commentary that does not miss the mark. It is exegetically sound, theologically astute, and ecclesially centered. Gupta seems to delight in showing how these ancient texts make modern sense. I read few commentaries cover to cover, but Gupta's I did. It is well worth the time and investment, for he carefully weighs the interpretive options and arrives at well-reasoned and well-supported readings. I want this one on my shelf."
—David B. Capes, Academic Dean and Professor of New Testament, Houston Graduate School of Theology

"Nijay K. Gupta is a gifted interpreter of Scripture. Herein, you will find incisive, insightful commentary on the Apostle Paul's earliest extant letters. I warmly commend this comparatively (and refreshingly!) compact treatment of the Thessalonian correspondence, not least the exegetical skill, theological engagement, and pastoral concern manifestly evident throughout."
—Todd D. Still, DeLancey Dean and Hinson Professor, Baylor University, Truett Seminary

Editorial Reviews

"In conversation with the best interpreters of the Thessalonian letters across the centuries, Nijay Gupta offers us a rich feast of insights into these very early Christian Scriptures. Simultaneously accessible and perceptive, attentive to historical context as well as contemporary theological and spiritual concerns, this is a commentary for students, pastors, and all readers of Paul."
—Michael J. Gorman, Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology, St. Mary's Seminary & University

"Nijay Gupta's commentary on 1 and 2 Thessalonians demonstrates reliable, even-handed scholarship, theological and pastoral sensitivity, and a masterful ability to lay out the letters' substance and basic flow of thought in an engaging style that is a pleasure to read. These qualities, along with its manageable size, make it ideal for use in the classroom and for local church pastors and teachers. Highly recommended!"
—Andy Johnson, Professor of New Testament, Nazarene Theological Seminary

"Here is a commentary that does not miss the mark. It is exegetically sound, theologically astute, and ecclesially centered. Gupta seems to delight in showing how these ancient texts make modern sense. I read few commentaries cover to cover, but Gupta's I did. It is well worth the time and investment, for he carefully weighs the interpretive options and arrives at well-reasoned and well-supported readings. I want this one on my shelf."
—David B. Capes, Academic Dean and Professor of New Testament, Houston Graduate School of Theology

"Nijay K. Gupta is a gifted interpreter of Scripture. Herein, you will find incisive, insightful commentary on the Apostle Paul's earliest extant letters. I warmly commend this comparatively (and refreshingly!) compact treatment of the Thessalonian correspondence, not least the exegetical skill, theological engagement, and pastoral concern manifestly evident throughout."
—Todd D. Still, DeLancey Dean and Hinson Professor, Baylor University, Truett Seminary

From the Publisher