Paul's Salutations

Prof. Beale:

It is generally acknowledged that Paul's introductory thanksgivings (and pray/blessing) contain the major themes to be developed throughout the epistle and that Paul's conclusions have the similar function of summarizing these major themes (see O'Brien, 1977; Weima, 1994).

—G. K. Beale, 1–2 Thessalonians (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2003), 24.