First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians (Black’s New Testament Commentary | BNTC)
Overview
The 1974 estimate by Interpretation that Ernest Best's volume on 1 & 2 Thessalonians "is probably the best exegetical study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians available . . . a superb commentary" continues to ring true nearly twenty years later. This is indeed one of the finest commentaries on 1 & 2 Thessalonians available—in any language. The Journal of Theological Studies called it "exhaustive" and concluded by saying that the commentary is "reliable, judicious, and nearly always lucid. He [Best] . . . takes us as far as we can reasonably go in understanding the mind of Paul as it expressed itself in these writings."
Top Highlights
“Borne up by the clouds they come to a meeting with the Lord. Like the word parousia (cf. Appendix, pp. 349ff) meeting had a technical meaning in the Hellenistic world in relation to the visits of dignitaries to cities (the two words appear together in Josephus, Ant. 11. 327f); the visitor would be formally met by the citizens, or a deputation of them, who had gone out from the city for this purpose and would then be ceremonially escorted back into the city (cf. E. Peterson, ‘Die Einholung des Kyrios’, Zeitschrift für syst. Theol. 7 (1930), 682–702). Paul and his readers will have known this (it is picked up by Greek writers like Chrysostom), but it is difficult to say how operative it was in the original choice of the word by the prophet through whom the logion came.” (Page 199)
“No matter what the circumstances (persecution, sickness, etc.) the Christian ought to give thanks to God, not of course for the difficult circumstances but for his salvation through Christ, and when he is able to do this then he also is strengthened to endure what is difficult. It is typical of unbelief that it lacks thanksgiving (Rom. 1:21).” (Page 236)
“In none of these passages (including v. 9) is annihilation suggested; instead the idea is that of ‘punishment’ as something which takes place in an active way.” (Page 261)
“This joy in adversity is a common theme in the N.T. and may go back to words of Jesus (Mt. 5:10–12; Lk. 6:22f; 1 Pet. 5:13; Acts 16:25; Jn. 16:2–22). Paul knew this joy himself (2 Cor. 6:10; 7:4; Phil. 2:17). ‘Joy’ and ‘grace’ come from the same Greek stem and though Paul may not consciously intend to play on this (yet compare his change of ‘greetings’ to ‘grace’ in the address of his letters) it is only out of the experience of the grace of God that true joy flows (cf. de Boor), and joy is related to and founded on the great acts of God (Lk 2:10; 24:52f; Jn. 14:28).” (Page 235)
Praise for the Print Edition
. . . a great help to pastors and teachers . . .
—Journal of Biblical Literature
Biblical students have long needed a thorough modern commentary on these two letters to Thessalonica. Ernest Best . . . has responded with a volume that admirably fills this lacuna.
—Anglican Theological Review
Product Details
- Title: Black’s New Testament Commentary: First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians
- Author: Ernest Best
- Publisher: Hendrickson
- Publication Date: 1986
- Pages: 416
Ernest Best (1917–2004) was professor of divinity and biblical criticism at the University of Glasgow. Best first studied mathematics and then divinity at Queen’s University. After earning his Ph.D. in 1948, Best started ministering in Northern Ireland. He is the author of From Text to Sermon and A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Ephesians.
