The Book of 2Thessalonians

1. The Book of 2Thessalonians

2. 1Thessalonians: Idolaters became worshipers of God in spite of persecution. • Expression of joy for their conversion from idols to the true God. • Paul thanks God for how thoroughly the Thessalonians were converted, in spite of the opposition. • He and his co-workers encouraged the Thessalonians to accept the gospel by the example of their own conduct. • He reminds the Thessalonians of their conversion and exhorts them to walk as children of God. • They were worried about what would happen to the dead saints at the time of the Lord’s coming. • Paul assured them that these saints would not be left behind, but would be raised from the dead and taken with the living saints to meet the Lord in the air. Closed with various instructions to the church.

3. 2Thessalonians • Very little time passed between the writing of 1Thessalonians and 2Thessalonians. • 2Thessalonians was a follow-up letter in order to clarify some things the saints did not understand. • Written in the early part of the year and a half Paul spent in Corinth (Acts 18:11), so we date the writing around A.D. 51 or 52… no more than a few weeks or months, after 1Thessalonians. Paul is still on the 2nd missionary journey.

4. 2Thessalonians • It seems that Timothy took the first letter, and returned to Corinth to report to Paul. • He told how the 1st letter had been received favorably, but he also told him how there were some misunderstandings in the minds of the brethren at Thessalonica. • There are indications in the book that suggest false teachers had presented a letter to the Thessalonians, claiming that it was from Paul, but it was a fake (see 2:2; 3:17-18). • Paul responded by writing a 2nd letter to correct those misunderstandings.

5. 2Thessalonians • Greetings • Be comforted in your afflictions; God will avenge (1:3-12) • We give thanks for your steadfastness. • God knows your trials… • He will see that justice is done. • We pray you will grow in every way.

6. 2Thessalonians • Do not be disturbed by false teaching regarding the Lord’s second coming (2:1-12) • The Lord will not return right away. • An apostasy will come first. • Those who do not want the truth will be given the opportunity to believe a lie.

7. 2Thessalonians • May God encourage and strengthen you (2:13-17) • We are thankful that God chose you • Stand firm

8. 2Thessalonians • Please pray for us (3:1-5) • That our word will be received freely. • That we may be delivered from wicked men. • Deal with those who walk disorderly (3:6-15) • Refuse to associate with them. • Benediction and close (3:16-18)

9. 2Thessalonians: The Lord is not coming back immediately, so do your normal work. • One of Paul’s primary points in this letter was that the Lord was not coming back right away, so continue in the normal activities of life, particularly in earning a living. The thoughts can be expressed in four main points: • Paul expresses his concern for their afflictions and places those afflictions in a divine perspective. • He tells them not to be upset, or to think that the Lord will come back right away. An apostasy will come first. • Then he gives a warning against those who walk disorderly by not taking care of their own affairs and by interfering with everyone else’s. As a consequence, they did not earn their own bread, but had to eat that of others. • If anyone failed to obey these apostolic instructions, he was to be rejected.