Includes bibliographical references (pages xix-xl) and indexes.

I. Introduction -- Rivers, roads, rolling mountains, and the sea: Geography and travel through Macedonia and Thessalonica -- A summary history of Macedonia and Thessalonica -- The government of Thessalonica -- The social and economic worlds of Thessalonica -- Religion in Thessalonica -- The gospel and the Thessalonians -- The authorship of 1 and 2 Thessalonians -- The order of the epistles -- The structure of 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

II. 1 Thessalonians -- "Paul, Silas and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians" -- the epistolary greeting -- "We always thank God for all of you" -- the coming of the gospel and its reception -- "You know ..." -- the body of the letter -- "May God Himself" -- the final prayer, greetings, and blessing.

III. 2 Thessalonians -- "Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians" -- the epistolary salutation -- "Your faith is growing and your love is increasing" -- thanksgiving and prayers for the faith, love, and steadfastness of the persecuted Thessalonians -- "As to ..." -- the body of the letter -- "Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace" -- the third prayer and final greetings.

"In this commentary Gene Green reads Paul's two letters to the Thessalonians in light of the canon of Scripture and of new knowledge about the first-century world of Thessalonica. This fruitful approach helps illuminate the impact of the gospel on its original readers and, in turn, shows how potent a force it can be for the church and society today." "The book begins with an in-depth study of the Thessalonians themselves - their history, land, socio-economic conditions, and religious environment. This fascinating discussion gives the necessary context for fully appreciating the circumstances surrounding the founding of the city's first church and the subsequent struggles of the Thessalonian believers to live out their Christian faith."--BOOK JACKET.