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For more great commentaries on 1 Thessalonians, be sure to check:
Commentaries on the Epistles, Commentaries on the Whole New Testament
& Whole Bible Commentaries
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Order of Contents 25+
The Best Commentaries 7
Commentaries 13
Early Church 3
Medieval Church 2
Chapters in 2 Thess.
Ch. 2: The Antichrist 14
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The Best Commentaries on 2 Thessalonians
1600’s
Dickson, David – An Expositon of All St. Paul’s Epistles together with an explanation of those other epistles of the apostles St. James, Peter, John & Jude, wherein the sense of every chapter and verse is analytically unfolded and the text enlightened (Romans-Jude) Buy 1659
Dickson was a prominent Scottish covenanter.
*** – ‘Dickson is a writer after our own heart. For preachers he is a great ally. There is nothing brilliant or profound; but everything is clear and well arranged, and the unction runs down like the oil from Aaron’s head. In this volume the observations are brief.’
Note that the Banner of Truth reprint contains Dickson’s commentary on less books than the original.
Fergusson, James – A Brief Exposition of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and the Thessalonians Buy 1656-74
Fergusson was a Scottish covenanter.
*** – ‘He who possesses this work is rich. The author handles his matter in the same manner as Hutcheson and Dickson, and he is of their class–a grand, gracious, savory divine.’
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Intermediate, 1800’s
Lange’s Commentary – Commentary on 2 Thessalonians by Auberlen & Riggenbach translated, and with additions, by John Lillie
*** “Lillie’s Thessalonians will be found to be one of the best executed portions of the American edition of Lange. The translation is remarkably accurate and elegant, and the additions from his own researches, and the best English Commentaries, are carefully selected and valuable.” – Dr. P. Schaff, as quoted by Spurgeon
Lillie, John – Lectures on 2 Thessalonians 1863
*** “Remarks on the preceding [work on Lange] will apply here.”
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Advanced
Eadie, John – A Commentary on the Greek Text of 2 Thessalonians 1877
“Characterized by Eadie’s usual thoroughness. Readers may not always agree with his exegesis, but he does provide a helpful evaluation of all the different points of view with an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses. An essay on ‘The Man of Sin’ is appended.” “Expositions on several of Paul’s letters to the churches of the New Testament era followed [by Eadie], and it is significant that Dr. C.J. Ellicott considered them to be superior to anything in England up to that time.” – Cyril J. Barber
Lightfoot, J.B. – Analysis and Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 1895
Milligan, George – Commentary on 2 Thessalonians d. 1934
Milligan (1860–1934) was the son of William Milligan and also a British Bible scholar.
“A brilliantly written, critical study which must of necessity take second place to more recent works. However, it is worth consulting.” – Cyril J. Barber
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Commentaries on 2 Thessalonians
1500’s
Jewel, John – An Exposition upon the Two Epistles of the Apostle St. Paul to the Thessalonians 1571
** “Hooker calls Jewel ‘the jewel of bishops’. This work is in the usual style of the first Reformers, but rather more lively than most of them. Many of the topics touched upon were peculiar to the times in which the exposition was written. It will serve as a good specimen of the preaching of the Fathers of the English Church.” – Spurgeon
Tymme, Thomas – The Figure of Antichrist, with the Tokens of the End of the World, most plainly deciphered by a Catholic and Divine Exposition of the Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, collected out of the Best and Most Approved Divines, both Old & New… (London, 1586)
Tymme (d. 1620) was a reformed, Anglican, archbishop, translator and author.
Rollock, Robert – Lectures upon the First and Second Epistles of Paul to the Thessalonians d. 1599
** “This renowned Scotchman’s writings generally come to us as translations from the Latin, and have been made preternaturally dull in the process of interpretation; but this appears to have been written in English by himself. It is practical to a high degree, and goes into minute details of the married life, etc. it will not be much appreciated in these days, though Dr. McCrie styles Rollock’s works ‘succinct and judicious.'” – Spurgeon
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1600’s
Bradshaw, William – A Plain and Pithy Exposition of the 2 Thessalonians d. 1618
** “As we cannot get a sight of this, perhaps some reader will present us with a copy.” – Spurgeon
Sclater, William – An Exposition with Notes upon the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians 1619
Sclater (1575-1626) was a reformed puritan.
** “Sclater is antique; but, in the usual Puritanic manner, he gives very instructive disquisitions upon a vast variety of topics suggested by the text.” – Spurgeon
Jackson, Timothy – A Brief & Plain, yet Orthodoxal & Methodical Exposition upon St. Paul’s Second Epistle written to the Thessalonians (London, 1621)
Jackson (d. 1636) was an English minister and Cambridge scholar.
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Intermediate
1800’s
Findlay, C.G. – The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians 1904 in The Cambridge Greek New Testament for Schools and Colleges reprinted as part of the Thornapple Commentaries by Baker. Contains a ten page appendix on ‘the Man of Lawlessness’
This work is accessible to those who do not know Greek. Findlay (1849-1919) was tutor in New Testament exegesis and classics at the Wesleyan Theological Institution from 1881-1917.
“A brief, helpful, technical treatment.” – Cyril J. Barber
“A concise scholarly commentary on the Greek Text…” & “a classic work” – Baker
Hutchison, John – Lectures Chiefly Expository on St. Paul’s First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians with Notes and Illustrations 1884
“Rev. Dr. John Hutchison came to Renfrew from Renfield Street Church, Glasgow. He was ordained and inducted to Renfrew United Presbyterian Church on 16th February 1864. His scholarly achievements were widely known, and in 1874 he received the Degree of Doctor of Divinity from Glasgow University. In 1877 he was translated to the newly formed congregation of Bonnington, Leith, where he ministered till his death on 1st March 1901, the last six years of his ministry at Bonnington being as Senior Minister.
Dr Hutchinson published in 1884, Expository Lectures on the First and Second Epistles of Thessalonians, followed in 1887 by this corresponding volume on Philippians, and later by Messages to the Seven Churches in Asia.” – the book flap
On his commentary on Philippians: ”This expositional commentary traces with care the unfolding of Paul’s thought and applies the principles that are laid bare to the needs of believers. Hutchinson deals deftly with the apostle’s varying moods and shows how these provide a pattern for the Christian’s growth. This is an excellent volume, perspicuous and practical” – Cyril J. Barber
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1900’s
Hendriksen, William – New Testament Commentary: 1 Thessalonians Buy
“Hendriksen, abreast of the latest philological, archaeological, and patristic scholarship, combines the information from each of these disciplines with his exposition of the text. Amillennial.” – Cyril J. Barber
Morris, Leon
1 & 2 Thessalonians Buy in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries
This Tyndale work is less detailed and in-depth than the NICNT work below.
“Brief, to the point, clear, relevant and generally helpful. Amillennial.” – Cyril J. Barber
1 & 2 Thessalonians Buy 1959 in The New International Commentary on the New Testament
“Does not manifest the same maturity which characterizes Morris’ later writings, but does contain a wealth of learning. The exposition is in keeping with the Reformed tradition.” – Cyril J. Barber
Hiebert, David Edmond – The Thessalonian Epistles Buy 1971 Moody
“An outstanding exposition based upon unusually comprehensive and complete exegesis. A leader among commentaries for accuracy and reliability. Premillennial.” – Cyril J. Barber
Clark, Gordon – First & Second Thessalonians Buy
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Advanced
1800’s
Ellicott, Charles J. – St. Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians, with a Critical and Grammatical Commentary 1866 185 pp.
“Highly technical. Ranked as one of the most scholarly treatments of these letters.” – Cyril J. Barber
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1900’s
Frame, James Everett – A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on The Epistles of St. Paul to the Thessalonians 1912 345 pp. in The International Critical Commentaries
“An important grammatical study. Weak because the writer sidesteps theological issues and fails to deal adequately with the eschatological passages.” – Cyril J. Barber
Plummer, Alfred – 2 Thessalonians 1918 150 pp.
“While not as helpful as the writer’s excellent studies (on the Gospel of Matthew, etc.), this exegetical work may, nevertheless, be read with profit.” – Cyril J. Barber
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The Early Church on 2 Thessalonians
Compilation
ed. Gorday, Peter – Ancient Christian Commentary: Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon Buy
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Individual Fathers
Ambrosiaster – Commentaries on Galatians-Philemon Buy
Chrysostom – Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians
** ‘Enough of solid truth and brilliant utterance will be found here to justify this father’s title of ‘Golden Mouth’; but still all is not gold which fell from his lips, and to modern readers Chrysostom is not so instructive as he was to his own age [A.D. 349-407].’ – Spurgeon
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The Medieval Church on 2 Thessalonians
Haimo of Auxerre & Thietland of Einsiedeln – Second Thessalonians: Two Medieval Apocalyptic Commentaries Buy 92 pp.
Aquinas, Thomas – Commentary on 2 Thessalonians
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On 2 Thess. 1
Manton, Thomas – Sermons upon 2 Thess. 1:4-12 16 sermons, 152 pp. in Works, vol. 20
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On 2 Thess. 2 & the Antichrist
Commentaries on 2 Thess. 2: The Antichrist
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