1 & 2 Thessalonians (A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition)
Overview
The Apostle Paul's letters to the Thessalonians have much to say about how to act as God's church. Paul tells us that the Thessalonians were a model church for their fellow Christians. Through the exploration of Paul's letter to the Thessalonians and an analysis of the Thessalonian church, Warren Woolsey gives us a clear picture of how the Thessalonians are an example for us today.
Woolsey takes us step-by-step through 1 and 2 Thessalonians, which are "crammed with reminders, instructions, warnings, and encouragement" for Paul's young church. Pained by having to be separated from them, Paul wrote these two letters to continue the ministry he had started among them. A model pastor, Paul had poured his life into the Thessalonian church. He had become like family to them, and he wished to keep on helping them along in their growth in the faith.
Through this commentary, Woolsey interprets Paul's letters and help readers apply Paul's words to their own lives. An experienced teacher and scholar of God's Word, Woolsey gives us an important volume for those who love the Bible and desire to obey its teaching.
Top Highlights
“In the case of 1 Thessalonians, we may judge that Paul’s purposes included encouragement in continuing persecution (especially 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10; 2:13–16; 3:6–13); response to slanders against Paul’s ministry (2:1–12); rebuke for laxness on sexual morality (4:1–8); relieving concern about deceased Christians in relation to the Second Coming (4:13–18); reassurance concerning the return of Christ (5:1–11); and dealing with several minor problems—working to support themselves, respect for leaders, suppressing spiritual gifts, and the need for harmony and mutual helpfulness (4:9–12; 5:12–22).” (Page 15)
“It may help to notice that what God is testing is our hearts (1 Thess. 2:4), not our performance as such, at any stage of development. It has been said that God is easy to please, but hard to satisfy, as parents are pleased by their young child’s first faltering steps, but will not long be satisfied unless there is continued progress. The need for growth is emphasized by the writer to the Hebrews in 6:1–6. Going on is the key, for falling back may lead to falling away.” (Page 37)
“Probably the change was made, properly, to distinguish between the form of the word used in 3:13, which, generally speaking, refers to holiness as a finished product and the form used here, which indicates the process of sanctification.” (Page 64)
“For the three Sabbaths that Paul was allowed to preach there, he proclaimed Jesus as Messiah. Some Jews and a larger number of Gentiles believed, including some upper-class women.” (Page 12)
“For the church is not to get its signals from the surrounding society.” (Page 63)
- Title: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition
- Author: Warren Woolsey
- Series: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition
- Publisher: WPH
- Print Publication Date: 1997
- Logos Release Date: 2009
- Pages: 173
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. N.T. 1 Thessalonians › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. 2 Thessalonians › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9780898271881, 0898271886
- Resource ID: LLS:WESCOM73TH
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-10-04T17:47:27Z