Paul and the Macedonians: The Life and Letters of Paul

by David A. deSilva

Book Overview

Paul and the Macedonians is the fifth in the series The Life and Letters of Paul. This study explores the letters to the Thessalonians and the Philippians. Drawing on the historical data about the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0687090784
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Length: 110 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.3" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Great St. Paul Bible Study

Designed to be a six-week Bible class study guide, author David DeSilva brings an interesting and informative examination with his 108-page book "Paul and the Macedonians" (paperback 2001). This quick study presents Professor DeSilva's analysis of St. Paul's three 1st century letters to the Philippians and Thessalonians. The book is divided into six easy to read chapters that contain multiple sections designed for participation, leading, and teaching. These sections host several questions in caption boxes that will evoke group discussion. DeSilva tells St. Paul's missionary story with an eye to chronological events by means of specific faith-filled vignettes. Although no footnotes or maps are provided in the text DeSilva's biblical scholarship is apparent. He cites many Bible verses throughout the book. The book is replete with information about St. Paul, 1st Greek and Roman Philippi and Thessalonica, and 1st century Mediterranean culture. Perhaps the only downside to this book is the author's protracted use of St. Luke's secondary source "Acts of the Apostles" for Paul. (Certainly, when Luke is good he is really good, but when Luke does not know information about Paul of Tarsus, he is really bad!) It is much better to use Paul's own words to navigate his story and sprinkle in Lucan certainty occasionally. DeSilva is a very good study book. It is recommended to all who want to study St. Paul, his Macedonian letters, or the 1st century Greco-Roman world.