1-2 Thessalonians: 5 Books Every Pastor Should Read

1-2 Thessalonians

A lot of the “heavy lifting” of study of the Thessalonian correspondence has taken place in thick academic commentaries and select dissertations. But here I offer studies that can be read with profit by pastors and seminaries.

Karl P. Donfried, Paul, Thessalonica, and Early Christianity

This is an affordable collection of Donfried’s excellent and influential essays on 1-2 Thessalonians.

Colin Nicholl, From Hope to Despair: Situating 1 and 2 Thessalonians

 This is a compelling study of how these two letters fit together in the story of Paul’s relationship with the Thessalonians.

From Roman to Early Christian Thessalonike: Studies in Religion and Archaeology 

This is an important collection of academic essays across several disciplines (history, religion, archaeology) to help us situate 1-2 Thess in context.

Nestor Miguez, The Practice of Hope: Ideology and Intention in 1 Thessaionians

Miguez focuses on the theme of hope in 1 Thess as more than just spiritual, but holistic including political and social transformation by the power of God.

Nijay K. Gupta, 1-2 Thessalonians: Zondervan Critical Introductions

In this study, I try to walk through the academic scholarship of key issues of background, method, interpretation, and theology vis-a-vis 1-2 Thess (over the last 30 years or so).