P R E A C H I N G
“The single best resource for faithful biblical exposition available today. A great boon for genuine reformation!” —Timothy George, Dean, Samford University, Beeson Divinity School “It is a pleasure to commend this series of homiletical commentaries. They fill an enormous vacuum that exists between the practical needs of the pastor/teacher and the critical exegetical depth of most commentaries.” — Walter C. Kaiser Jr., President Emeritus and Distinguished Professor of Old Testament and Ethics, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
About the Author James H. Grant Jr. (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is pastor of Trinity Reformed Church in Rossville, Tennessee. He also teaches theology at Westminster Academy and lives in Tennessee with his wife, Brandy, and their children: Macy, Trey, Nate, and Addie.
About the General Editor R. Kent Hughes (DMin, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is senior pastor emeritus of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, after
“This series is one of my favorites. The goal of explaining a text while preaching it makes this series resonate with the priorities of the pulpit. No academic aloofness here, but down-to-earth, preacher-to-preacher meat for God’s people.” —Bryan Chapell, President, Covenant Theological Seminary “There is a long history of informed, edifying biblical expositions that have been mightily used of God to shape and strengthen the church. These volumes admirably fit this tradition.” — D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School “Throughout the Christian centuries, from Chrysostom and Augustine through Luther, Calvin, and Matthew Henry, to Martyn Lloyd-Jones and Ray Stedman, working pastors have been proving themselves to be the best of all Bible expositors. Kent Hughes stands in this great tradition, and his exciting expositions uphold it worthily.” — J. I. Packer, Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology, Regent College; author, Knowing God
serving as senior pastor for 27 years. He has authored numerous books for Crossway, including the best-selling Disciplines of a Godly Man. Hughes now lives in Washington State with his wife, Barbara, and is the father of four and grandfather of twenty-one children.
About the Series 1 & 2 Thessalonians is part of the Preaching the Word commentary series—an accessible collection noted for its steadfast commitment to biblical authority, clear exposition of Scripture, readability, and practical application. Pastor R. Kent Hughes is the general editor for the series, which will eventually include every book of the Bible. It is an ideal resource for pastors and teachers, as well as for personal Bible study. COMMENTARY NT
1 & 2 THESSALONIANS • Grant
Recommendations for the Series
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W O R D
1 & 2 Thessalonians THE HOPE OF SALVATION
James H. Grant Jr. R. Kent Hughes GENERAL EDITOR
1 & 2 Thessalonians
The books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians are
a conversation worth listening in on. As Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica, we find major life questions being answered: What is Paul’s view on ministry? How is a Christian to view suffering? How are we to live godly lives? And what does it mean to wait expectantly for the second coming of Jesus? While the letters were written nearly two thousand years ago, pastor James H. Grant Jr. insists that Paul’s audience includes us as well as the Thessalonians. As Paul shares about events in his life and his concerns for the church of Thessalonica, he is at the same time instructing all of us in Christian doctrine and practical application—in terms of both personal issues and corporate concerns found in church and ministry. Grant’s twenty-five sermons examine each passage of the two books, unpacking the gospel and its implications in light of Christ’s second coming. He helps us to listen in on the conversation between Paul and his church, and enables us to understand what Paul is really saying for both then and now.