2 Thessalonians

Author: The apostle Paul

Audience: The church at Thessalonica

Date: About ad 51 or 52

Theme: Paul writes to correct a misunderstanding concerning the Lord’s return and to encourage the Thessalonian believers to be steadfast in their faith and work for a living by reminding them that God empowers them for these tasks.

Introduction

Author, Date and Place of Writing

Paul’s authorship of 2 Thessalonians has been questioned more often than that of 1 Thessalonians, in spite of the fact that it has more support from early Christian writers. Objections are based on internal factors rather than on the adequacy of the statements of the church fathers. It is thought that there are differences in the vocabulary (ten words not used elsewhere), in the style (it is said to be unexpectedly formal) and in the eschatology (the doctrine of the “man of lawlessness” is not taught elsewhere). These minor differences, however, are not sufficient to overturn the united testimony of the early church.

Because of its similarity to 1 Thessalonians, this epistle was probably written soon after the first letter. The situation in the church seems to have been much the same. Paul probably penned it (1:1; 3:17) c. ad 51 or 52 in Corinth, after Silas and Timothy had returned from delivering 1 Thessalonians (see chart; see also Introduction to 1 Thessalonians).

Purpose

Inasmuch as the situation in the Thessalonian church has not changed substantially, Paul’s purpose in writing is very much the same as in his first letter to its members. He writes (1) to encourage persecuted believers (1:4–10), (2) to correct misunderstandings concerning the Lord’s return (2:1–12) and (3) to exhort the Thessalonians to be steadfast and to work for a living (2:13—3:15). Persecution, however, may have grown a little more intense (1:4) and now the concern of some in Thessalonica is no longer that so much time has elapsed without Christ’s return, but that he has somehow returned secretly or invisibly and they have missed him (2:2). Early Gnostic theology taught a spiritual rather than physical resurrection (see article).

Theme

Like 1 Thessalonians, this letter deals extensively with eschatology (see Introduction to 1 Thessalonians: Themes). In fact, in 2 Thessalonians over a third of the letter deals with this subject.

Paul’s purpose in writing is to encourage persecuted believers, to correct misunderstandings concerning the Lord’s return and to exhort the Thessalonians to be steadfast and to work for a living.

Outline

I. Introduction (ch. 1)

A. Greetings (1:1–2)

B. Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith, Love and Perseverance (1:3–10)

C. Intercession for Their Spiritual Progress (1:11–12)

II. Instruction (ch. 2)

A. Prophecy Regarding the Day of the Lord (2:1–12)

B. Thanksgiving for Their Election and Calling (Their Position) (2:13–15)

C. Prayer for Their Service and Testimony (Their Practice) (2:16–17)

III. Injunctions (ch. 3)

A. Call to Prayer (3:1–5)

B. Charge to Discipline the Disorderly and Lazy (3:6–15)

C. Conclusion, Final Greetings and Benediction (3:16–18)