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For more great commentaries on 2 Thessalonians check:
Commentaries on the Epistles, Commentaries on the Whole New Testament
& Whole Bible Commentaries
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Order of Contents 25+
Best 7
Commentaries 12+
Early & Medieval 8+
Chapters
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The Best Commentaries on 2 Thessalonians
1600’s
Dickson, David – ‘The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians Analytically expounded’ in An Expositon of All St. Paul’s Epistles… (1659), pp. 152-58
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.’
Fergusson, James – ‘The 2nd Epistle to the Thessalonians’ in A Brief Exposition of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians & the Thessalonians (1656-1674; London: Ward, 1841), pp. 453-500
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 trans. & enlarged 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 no ToC in Lectures on the Epistles of Paul to the Thessalonians (NY: Robert Carter, 1860), pp. 409-585 This work was written by Lillie in contrast to the Lange work above.
*** “Remarks on the preceding [work on Lange] will apply here.”
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Advanced
Eadie, John – Commentary on 2 Thessalonians no ToC in A Commentary on the Greek Text of the Epistles of Paul to the Thessalonians (London: Macmillan, 1877), pp. 225-325 There is an appendix, ‘Essay on the Man of Sin’.
“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. – Second Epistle to the Thessalonians in Notes on Epistles of St. Paul from Unpublished Commentaries (London: Macmillan, 1895), pp. 93-136
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
Bullinger, Heinrich – A Commentary upon the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, in the which, besides the Sum of our Faith, there is sincerely handled & set forth at large, not only first coming up & rising with the full property & dominion, but also the fall & utter confusion of the Kingdom of Antichrist: that is to say of Mahomet & the Bishop of Rome (Southwark, 1538) 66 pp. ToC
Jewel, John – The Second Epistle of the Apostle St. Paul to the Thessalonians ToC in An Exposition upon the Two Epistles of the Apostle St. Paul to the Thessalonians (1571; London: Newberie, 1584)
** “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 & Divine Exposition of the Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, Collected out of the Best & Most Approved Divines, both Old & New… (London, 1586) 185 pp. ToC
Tymme (d. 1620) was a reformed, Anglican, archbishop, translator and author.
Rollock, Robert – 2 Thessalonians ToC in Lectures upon the First & 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 & Pithy Exposition of the 2 Thessalonians (d. 1618; London: 1620) 208 pp. ToC
** “As we cannot get a sight of this, perhaps some reader will present us with a copy.” – Spurgeon
Sclater, William – A Brief Exposition with Notes upon the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians (London: 1627) 307 pp. ToC
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) 123 pp.
Jackson (d. 1636) was an English minister and Cambridge scholar.
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Intermediate
1800’s
Hutchison, John – Lectures 22-27 ToC in Lectures Chiefly Expository on St. Paul’s First & Second Epistles to the Thessalonians with Notes & Illustrations (1884), pp. 255-334
“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
Findlay, C.G. – The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians in The Cambridge Greek New Testament for Schools & Colleges (1904) 200 pp. ToC 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
Hendriksen, William – Commentary on II Thessalonians in Exposition of I & II Thessalonians in New Testament Commentary (Baker, 1955), pp. 151-210
“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
II Thessalonians: Commentary ToC in The Epistles of Paul to the Thessalonians: an Introduction & Commentary in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Eerdmans, 1957), pp. 112-52
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 in Word Biblical Themes (Word Publishing, 1989) 115 pp. ToC
Commentary on 2 Thessalonians ToC in The First & Second Epistles to the Thessalonians: Revised Edition in The New International Commentary on the New Testament (1959; Eerdmans, 1991), pp. 188-264
On the first edition: “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 – 2 Thessalonians ToC in The Thessalonian Epistles: a Call to Readiness (Moody, 1971), pp. 263-356
“An outstanding exposition based upon unusually comprehensive and complete exegesis. A leader among commentaries for accuracy and reliability. Premillennial.” – Cyril J. Barber
Clark, Gordon – Second Thessalonians ToC in First & Second Thessalonians (Trinity Foundation, 1986), pp. 72-160
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Advanced
1800’s
Ellicott, Charles J. – 2 Thessalonians no ToC in St. Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians, with a Critical & Grammatical Commentary (London: Longman, 1866), pp. 89-167
“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 – Commentary on the 2nd Epistle to the Thessalonians in A Critical & Exegetical Commentary on The Epistles of St. Paul to the Thessalonians in The International Critical Commentaries (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1912), pp. 219-313
“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 – A Commentary on St. Paul’s Second Epistle to the Thessalonians (London: Scott, 1918) 150 pp. no ToC
“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
Compilations
ed. Gorday, Peter – The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians in Ancient Christian Commentary: Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon (IVP Academic, 2007), pp. 101-28
Thiselton, Anthony C. – 1 & 2 Thessalonians Through the Centuries in Blackwell Bible Commentaries Pre (Blackwell) ToC
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Individual Fathers
Ambrosiaster – Commentary on 2 Thessalonians in Commentaries on Galatians-Philemon trans. Gerald Bray in Ancient Christian Texts Pre Buy (IVP Academic, 2009), pp. 113-19
Ambrosiaster (c. 366-384)
Chrysostom – Homilies on 2 Thessalonians ToC in NPNF1, vol. 13, pp. 377-98 HTML
Chrysostom (c. 347 – 407)
** ‘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
Theodore of Mopsuestia – ‘On 2 Thessalonians’ in Theodore of Mopsuestia: The Commentaries on the Minor Epistles of Paul trans. Rowan Greer in Writings from the Greco-Roman World Pre (Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2010), pp. 495-525
Theodore (c. 350 – 428) was a bishop of Mopsuestia and is also known as Theodore of Antioch, from the place of his birth and presbyterate. He is the best known representative of the middle Antioch School of hermeneutics.
Theodoret of Cyrus – Commentary on the Letters of St. Paul, vol. 2: Galatians–Hebrews Ref (Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 2007)
Theodoret (c. 393 – c. 458/466) was an influential theologian of the School of Antioch, biblical commentator and bishop of Cyrus.
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The Medieval Church on 2 Thessalonians
Ishodad of Merv – On 2 Thessalonians at Patristic Bible Commentary
Ishodad (fl. 850) was a bishop of Hdatta during the Abbasid Caliphate (near current-day Mosul, Iraq) and prominent theologian of the Church of the East, best known for his commentaries on the Syriac Bible.
Haimo of Auxerre & Thietland of Einsiedeln – Second Thessalonians: Two Early Medieval Apocalyptic Commentaries eds. Steven R. Cartwrigh & Kevin L. Hughes Ref Buy (Medieval Institute Publications, 2001) 86 pp.
Haimo (d. c. 865); Thietland (d. c. 965)
Aquinas, Thomas – Commentary on 2 Thessalonians at Aquinas.cc
Aquinas (1225 – 1274)
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On Chapters in 2 Thessalonians
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On 2 Thess. 1
Manton, Thomas – Sermons upon 2 Thess. 1:4-12 16 sermons in Works, vol. 20, pp. 198-352
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On 2 Thess. 2 & the Antichrist
Commentaries on 2 Thess. 2: The Antichrist
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Related Pages