1 and 2 Thessalonians (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament | ZECNT)

Top Highlights

“Holiness means conforming to the character of God and at the same time rebuffing what is not in accordance with his character.” (Page 158)

“Who was the typical Christian in Thessalonica at the time of 1 Thessalonians? He or she was from a pagan background, spoke koinē Greek as a first language, could not read or write, kept house or was a manual laborer or a slave,¹⁶ had never set foot inside a synagogue, had newly pledged to an ethic that was sharply different from that of the local environment, shared his or her faith with unbelievers, experienced serious harassment from family and society, and knew someone who had been physically punished, imprisoned, or maybe killed for the faith.” (Page 24)

“First Thessalonians is an outpouring of their relief and gratitude to God for his protection of their Thessalonian ‘children.’” (Page 17)

“that Christ’s resurrection guarantees the resurrection of believers who have died before his return.” (Page 176)

“Paul rules out the notion that the Christian ethic is merely optional: rather, it is obligatory; it ‘must’ be done.” (Page 155)