The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the
▸ AUTHOR: The external attestation to the authenticity of 2 Thessalonians as a Pauline epistle is even stronger than that for 1 Thessalonians. Internally the vocabulary, style, and doctrinal content support the claims in 1:1 and 3:17 that it was written by Paul. This letter was probably written a few months after 1 Thessalonians, while Paul was still in Corinth with Silas and Timothy (1:1; Acts 18:5).
▸ TIME: c. A.D. 51
▸ KEY VERSES: 2 Thess. 2:2–3
▸ THEME: This letter to the Thessalonians appears to have been written fairly soon after the first one. He provides some further clarification on some of the same issues he addressed in the first letter. There appears to still be some confusion about the events of the end times, which he clarifies. He also wisely encourages the believers in the basics he has taught them in his role as a caring pastor.