Nijay K. Gupta is Assistant Professor of New Testament at George Fox Evangelical Seminary, Portland, Oregon. His recent books include a commentary on Colossians and Prepare, Succeed, Advance: Getting a PhD in Biblical Studies and Beyond (The Lutterworth Press, 2017).

In conversation with the best interpreters of the Thessalonian letters across the centuries, Nijay Gupta offers us a rich feast of insights into these very early Christian Scriptures. Simultaneously accessible and perceptive, attentive to historical context as well as contemporary theological and spiritual concerns, this is a commentary for students, pastors, and all readers of Paul.

• PrefaceAbbreviations ListIntroductionExcursus: Was the Church of the Thessalonians a Male-Only Guild?Excursus: Gentile Believers Incorporated into Israel's Story through JesusExcursus: Hypothesizing a Clandestine AttackThanksgiving for the Thessalonians (1 Thess 1:1-10)Fusing the Horizons: Blood-Blind in the New Covenant CommunityFusing the Horizons: MetamorphosisPaul's Blameless Ministry (1 Thess 2:1-12)Excursus: Gentle or Infants? (2:7b)Fusing the Horizons: Integrity and Transparency in New Covenant LeadershipPraiseworthy Endurance Amidst Persecution (1 Thess 2:13-16)Excursus: Could Paul Have Written 1 Thess 2:14-16?Fusing the Horizons: A Hospitable Community for All PeoplePaul's Love, Pride, and Concern (1 Thess 2:17-3:13)Fusing the Horizons: Life TogetherExhortation to Persevere and Grow in Holiness, Love, and Integrity (1 Thess 4:10-12)Excursus: Sexual Immorality in the Greco-Roman WorldExcursus: 'Sibling Love' (philadelphia)Fusing the Horizons: A New Covenant Community of LoveExcursus: Work and QuietnessFusing the Horizons: Living Quiet Lives in a Noisy WorldThe Hopeful Fate of the Christian Dead (1 Thess 4:13-18)Fusing the Horizons: The New Covenant People of HopeThe Day of the Lord: Preparedness and Perseverance, Not Prediction (1 Thess 5:1-11)Excursus: Whose Peace and Security?Fusing the Horizons: War and Peace: The New Covenant Community in ActionFinal Instruction (1 Thess 5:12-28)Fusing the Horizons: The New Covenant Community, A People of PrayerThanksgiving and Hope (2 Thess 1:1-12)Excursus: Eternal Destruction (2 Thess 1:9)?Fusing the Horizons: Can Suffering for the Kingdom Be a Blessing?Perseverance and Hope (2 Thess 2:1-17)Fusing the Horizons: Living beyond FearMission and Community (2 Thess 3:1-18)Fusing the Horizons: Leadership and WorkBibliographySubject IndexScripture Index