The Epistle to the Thessalonians: A Commentary on the Greek Text

New International Greek Testament Commentary

by Charles Wanamaker

This commentary series is established on the presupposition that the theological character of the New Testament documents calls for exegesis that is sensitive to theological themes as well as to the details of the historical, linguistic, and textual context. Such thorough exegetical work lies at the heart of these volumes, which contain detailed verse-by-verse commentary preceded by general comments on each section and subsection of the text.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theology

Hardcover

First published November 9, 1990

Reviews

[Michael Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written primarily for students of biblical Greek, this commentary covers the first two letters of the apostle Paul that we have, possibly the first of the extant Christian writings (ca. 52-53 BCE). This commentary was released in 1990, and Wanamaker confesses that he expected to do the traditional commentary that covered theology, history, and language analysis. Instead, he was intrigued by the new foray into a sociological approach.

Wanamaker hails from South Africa, where he taught at University of Capetown. He received his doctorate under C.K. Barrett at the University of Durham. He is a mostly conservative evangelical scholar.

The commentary is strongest in the comprehensive 63 page Introduction.
Best for the intended target audience, the biblical Greek student, but one doesn't to be fluent in Greek to profit from this study. The author relies heavily on Robert Jewett's (1986) 'Thessalonian Correspondence' book, which built on the popular but mysterious Cabirus cult in Thessalonica, which lost status to the civic Emperor cult when the Romans took over and explains many converts.

Recommended.

[Chandler Kelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far too critical to be helpful.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

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-

[John Waldrip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent scholarship. Very helpful.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a valuable and thorough exegetical and grammatical commentary. Wanamker sets forth his case for a non-traditional ordering of the books as he believes the second epistle was first. He covers the works of others and is a competent guide.