The Epistles to the Thessalonians : a commentary on the Greek text
by Charles A. Wanamaker
New International Greek Testament Commentary (13)
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The letters of Paul to the newly founded Christian community at Thessalonica hold a special place within the Christian tradition as possibly the earliest extant Christian writings. They are also of special interest not only for their theological value but for their sociological context. Among the communities established by Paul, the church at Thessalonica appears to have been the only one to have suffered serious external oppression. These two important epistles, then, speak uniquely to show more contemporary Christians living in a society often ideologically, if not politically, opposed to Christian faith. In this innovative commentary Charles A. Wanamaker incorporates what may be called a social science approach to the study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians, taking into full account the social context that gave rise to Paul's correspondence. While Wanamaker in no way ignores traditional historical-critical, linguistic, literary, and theological approaches to writing a commentary-in fact, at several points he makes a significant contribution to the questions raised by traditional exegesis-at the same time he goes beyond previous commentaries on the Thessalonian correspondence by taking seriously the social dimensions both of Christianity at Thessalonica and of the texts of 1 and 2 Thessalonians themselves. In blending traditional exegetical methods with this newer approach, Wanamaker seeks to understand Pauline Christianity at Thessalonica as a socio-religious movement in the first-century Greco-Roman world and attempts to grasp the social character and functions of Paul's letters within this context. A significant and original addition to the literature on 1 and 2 Thessalonians, this commentary will be valuable to scholars, pastors, and students alike. show lessTags
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I have a dozen commentaries of 1 Thessalonians and have worked through them all as I have studied the book. This is my least favorite. I find it of almost no value. I have benefitted greatly from other volumes in the NIGTC series (especially the outstanding commentary by Knight on the Pastorals), but this one is obnoxious and unhelpful. His linguistic insights are superficial and almost always in contradiction with ten verses you can think of automatically, that he will never even touch. Every useful exegetical commentary occasionally dips into appreciation, application or even adoration, not this one. It is cold and lifeless. Wanamaker's addiction to the socio-rhetorical grid is interesting at first, annoying at length and illegitimate show more in several instances. His section on 1 Thess. 5:12-13 is clearly driven by a refusal to acknowledge New Testament congruity and force every available ecclesiastical reference into a patron-patriarchal-Roman-grid. No elders yet? Try the book of Acts. Leaders in the early church were the rich people with social status. Not hard to refute. He rejects any conception of a leadership that is spiritual, qualified, or reflected of Jesus' teaching on the subject. This is not an evangelical commentary.
If you are looking for a commentary to help you understand Paul's message to the Thessalonians, skip this one and get Heibert. show less
If you are looking for a commentary to help you understand Paul's message to the Thessalonians, skip this one and get Heibert. show less
Wanamaker offers both a thorough treatment of the text and a rich dialogue with contemporary scholarship. The commentary is strong on grammatical, historical, and cultural insights, although demonstrates little literary awareness. Wanamaker provides a generally conservative perspective. He does, however, argue (compellingly) for the chronological priority of 2nd Thessalonians over first. While some supplementation is necessary, the work – overall – is an invaluable resource. A-
A competent and helpful commentary. It does not stand out in the NIGTC as much as other volumes I have consulted have. I would place Wanamaker together with Bruce but behind Marshall.
Wanamaker thinks that 1Th should actually be 2Th, and that 2Th should actually be 1Th--the order we have it is mixed up. I didn't
Wanamaker thinks that 1Th should actually be 2Th, and that 2Th should actually be 1Th--the order we have it is mixed up. I didn't
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- Canonical title
- The Epistles to the Thessalonians : a commentary on the Greek text
- Original publication date
- 1990
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- 555
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- Reviews
- 4
- Rating
- (3.78)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- ASINs
- 1
