1 and 2 Thessalonians. Zondervan Critical Introductions to the New Testament 13

Abstract

Nijay Gupta has done a service to all those teaching and researching Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians. His critical introduction to 1 and 2 Thessalonians fits well into Zondervan’s new series (under the editorial oversight of Michael F. Bird).Gupta treats each letter independently so the work is split into two parts. However, each part is structured similarly as they outline and critique the views of the secondary literature. The material is grouped under four headings: the text, the background and situation, the themes and interpretation, and the history of interpretation. Each chapter is concluded with list of recommended reading that highlights the key works to consult should the reader want to engage further with specialized material on the topics in the chapter. The book is rounded off with a bibliography and five indexes (Scripture, other ancient literature, subjects, Greek words, authors).The first chapter on the text of 1 Thessalonians discusses text-critical issues, the author and date of the letter, its genre, style, structure and sources. The second chapter then focuses on the background of 1 Thessalonians (the history, religion, and cultural make up of the city) and the situation that gave rise to the letter (persecution, conflict, eschatological misunderstandings, order of the two letters). In doing so, the chapter reviews the works of Jewett, Barclay, Still, Ascough, Malherbe, Donfried, and Nicholl. The third chapter discusses key themes in the book (eschatology, faithfulness, thanksgiving, metamorphosis, work, holiness, love, tradition) before tackling some of the key interpretive issues in 2:7b (“Infants or Gentle?”), 2:13–16 (“Is Paul Anti-Semitic?”), 4:1 (“Paul’s Vessel Metaphor”), 4:11 (“Quiet Lives, Working with Hands”) and 5:3 (“‘Peace and Security’: a Roman Slogan?”). This is the longest chapter in the book, but it is clearly written leading the reader through the options before presenting Gupta’s opinion and conclusion. For the record, Gupta prefers νήπιοι in 2:7, does not think 2:13–16 is a post-Pauline interpretation, identifies the vessel in 4:4 as “the body” rather than “the wife,” suggests the exhortation to work with their hands (4:11) was a result of the Thessalonians focusing on evangelism with the deaths in the community happening as a result of local persecution, and that the origin of “peace and security” of 5:3 is probably an echo drawn from the OT. The final chapter of the first part is a history of the interpretation of 1 Thessalonians spanning key works from the early period right through until 2017.The second section repeats these topics but with respect to 2 Thessalonians. After establishing the text of 2 Thessalonians, Gupta discusses the genre, style, structure, and possible sources. The discussion of the authorship of the letter is delayed until his second chapter given its disputed nature and its significance in shaping other decisions about the date and situation of the letter. Here, Gupta prefers identifying Paul as the author of 2 Thessalonians. Like the first section of the book, the third chapter reviews the themes and exegetical issues in 2 Thessalonians: that themes of honor, truth, justice, and work, in addition to the exegetical issues in 1:5 (“Evidence of God’s Righteous Judgment?”), 2:2 (“The Day of the Lord Has Come?”), 2:3 (“Who Is the Man of Lawlessness?”), 2:6–7 (“Who or What Is the Restrainer?”), and 3:6–15 (“The ἄτακτοι: Meaning and Significance”). With regard to these exegetical issues, Gupta understands 1:5 as putting the Thessalonians’ afflictions into the perspective of God’s judgment, that 2:2 reflects an understanding that the beginnings of the Day of the Lord had started, that the Man of Lawlessness in 2:3 is an apocalyptic description used for pastoral purposes, the identification of the restrainer of 2:6–7 with the archangel Michael is the most satisfactory explanation, and that the ἄτακτοι in 3:6–15 are most likely self-appointed “apostles”. The section is then concluded with a overview of the history of interpretation.This is an excellent critical introduction that outlines the various positions of the secondary literature on key interpretive issues. It is well researched and clearly written. It brings the reader up to date with the debates in the secondary literature and also indicates Gupta’s own position on the issues. It is sensitive and fair in its presentation of others views, nuanced in its critique, and clear in arguing its own case. The volume assumes an understanding of Greek and Hebrew (words are not transliterated when they occur) and is footnoted extensively. It enables students of the text (both formal—undergraduate and postgraduate—and informal—pastors) to see the debates and issues that face the interpretation of the letters. I will be setting it as required reading for my postgraduate students.