1-2 Thessalonians: Reformed Expository Commentary [REC]

Richard D. Phillips (MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary; DD, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary) is the senior minister of Second Presbyterian Church of Greenville, South Carolina. He is a council member of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and of The Gospel Coalition, chairman of the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, and coeditor of the Reformed Expository Commentary series.

“As Christians, Bible teachers, or gospel ministers, we take our first step in the study of the Bible by going directly to our copy of God’s Word. Then, seeking to plumb the depths of the text and avoid handling it wrongly, we secure accurate and thoughtful commentaries from trusted commentators. That is precisely what we have in Rick Phillips’s insightful, faithful, and instructive commentary on 1 and 2 Thessalonians, which navigates Paul’s Holy Spirit–inspired treatment of wide-ranging, yet ever-relevant gospel issues for life and eternity.” -- Harry L. Reeder III Senior Pastor, Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL

“The books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians have a crucial message for the world today, but they can be hard to understand. What does the Bible teach about the return of Christ? What should we think about the ‘rapture’? Who is the man of lawlessness? With theological precision and the care of a seasoned pastor, Richard Phillips reveals the sure biblical path through the underbrush of end-times confusion, and explains the relevance of Paul’s letters for today. Readers will be instructed and encouraged to follow Christ anew, trusting in the God who sovereignly directs history. Highly recommended.” -- Brandon D. Crowe, Assistant Professor of New Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary; Book Review Editor, Westminster Theological Journal

“The author of this worthy volume is conversant with the extensive literature on 1 and 2 Thessalonians and has given us a commentary informed by his long commitment to Christ-centered reformational theology. But this is not a trudging tome; it was preached viva voce by a busy, caring pastor-scholar to his own flock week by week and is lively, engaging, and wholly relevant. 1 & 2 Thessalonians is sure to be a grace to the church and her shepherds.” -- R. Kent Hughes, Senior Pastor Emeritus, College Church, Wheaton, Illinois; Visiting Professor of Pastoral Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary

“Paul wrote 1 and 2 Thessalonians to a young church endeavoring to live for Christ in the midst of a hostile culture. These two little letters have a lot to say to the contemporary church. We may be grateful, then, that Richard D. Phillips has provided us with this fine expositional commentary, a sure and insightful guide to understanding and applying these epistles. Whether you want to be a better reader of God’s Word or are called to preach or teach the Bible in the church, pick up this book and let it help you to prize afresh the riches of these two epistles.” -- Guy Prentiss Waters, James M. Baird Jr. Professor of New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi