The Message of 1 & 2 Thessalonians

John Stott

May 2021 · InterVarsity Press

About this ebook

The gospel shapes the church and the church spreads the gospel. In his heartfelt letters to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul calls believers again and again to these essential truths. To encourage and correct the young church in Thessalonica, Paul addresses many issues that are still of vital importance today, such as Christian community, church leadership, moral living, evangelism, and what we need to know about the end times.

With scholarly rigor and pastoral care, John Stott opens up the rich truths found in 1 and 2 Thessalonians. He guides readers through each passage, exploring historical background, key themes, and applications for today. In 1 Thessalonians Stott highlights the themes of the relationship between the gospel and the church, and in 2 Thessalonians he identifies a Christian perspective on history. Both letters provide valuable insights into Paul's model of ministry and the life of a congregation in a highly challenging context.

This revised edition of a classic Bible Speaks Today volume includes updated language and Scripture quotations and a new interior design. A study guide for individuals or groups is included to help readers engage more deeply with the text.

About the author

John R. W. Stott (1921–2011) has been known worldwide as a preacher, evangelist and communicator of Scripture. For many years he served as rector of All Souls Church in London, where he carried out an effective urban pastoral ministry. A leader among evangelicals in Britain, the United States and around the world, Stott was a principal framer of the landmark Lausanne Covenant (1974). Stott's many books, including Basic Christianity and The Cross of Christ, have sold millions of copies. In the Bible Speaks Today series, for which he served as New Testament editor, he wrote eight volumes, including The Message of Acts and The Message of Ephesians.