1–2 Thessalonians: The Hope of Salvation

Preaching the Word

by James H. Grant Jr.

The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica to encourage Christians to live in light of the gospel. In 1 and 2 Thessalonians, he addressed a number of topics, including the persecution they were enduring, the second coming of Christ, and how they were to live in difficult times. While the letters were written nearly two thousand years ago, pastor James H. Grant Jr. insists that Paul’s audience includes us as well as the Thessalonians. Grant applies Paul’s message to contemporary churches over the course of twenty-five chapters by leading readers systematically through the epistles—unpacking the gospel and its implications in light of Christ’s second coming. Part of the Preaching the Word commentary series.

Genres: Christian

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 21, 2011

About the author

JAMES H. GRANT JR. (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is pastor of Trinity Reformed Church in Rossville, Tennessee. He also teaches theology at Westminster Academy and lives in Tennessee with his wife, Brandy, and their four children: Macy, Trey, Nate, and Addie.

Reviews

[Mark A Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul’s letters to the church in Thessalonica are among his earliest writings, yet they are full of the trademarks of the gospel. Grant serves as a guide through these two texts, his sermons skillfully adapted into book form. Perhaps because the source material is sermonic in nature, this commentary maintains a faithfulness to the Scripture and is driven by immanent readability. Not much technical discussion takes place, but it proves to be a helpful pastoral resource.

[Steve Croft · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my 8th book in the PTW commentary series, as I make my through the bible via the M'cheyne reading plan. This one also happened to be the first NT commentary I've read that wasn't written by the main editor, Kent Hughes. Because of that, I found this one less engaging. Perhaps because I'm now used to Kent's style, but likely moreso that Kent is a much more experienced writer. I note that James has only written this one and nothing else published.

The content was pretty good, I learnt a bit, but there was a fair bit I disagreed with as well. For example in chapter 8, the entire chapter was devoted to this one verse:

1 Thessalonians 2:13
And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

However the whole chapter was based on this premise: "We are going to examine the central importance of preaching and how the church cannot do without it. By preaching I mean the proclamation of the word of God and the acts of God by one called to be a minister".

To me, it kind of felt like a defence of the authors job as pastor, and that the verse wasn't really trying to say that...

Anyway, I learnt some good stuff in other chapters. Namely a chapter on suffering.

"Paul is going to help us get the right perspective on suffering: 'This is evidence of the righteous judgement of God, that you may be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering.

...or, 'their current suffering is evidence that God has judged rightly and they are indeed his people.'

"When I first examined this verse, I did not think Paul was talking about the present moment. I thought Paul was summarizing the future judgment in verse 5 and expounding it in detail in verses 6–12. Now I am convinced that Paul is talking about a present experience of judgment in the life of a believer. This present experience of judgment in the life of the believer will be consummated at the last day when Christ returns, but it seems that Paul is describing a judgment that is intruding into history. Perhaps we should describe the final judgment as having an already and a not yet aspect to it, in the same way that the kingdom of God has an already and a not yet aspect to it. God’s judgment has already started at the cross, but that judgment continues throughout history, and he will consummate it at the second coming."

[Jon Anderson]

Journey Group Spring/Summer 2018