Introduction to 2 Thessalonians

Paul’s second letter to the Christians at Thessalonica urges them to faithfully continue the work of the gospel. Paul revisits some of the same issues that he addressed in his first letter to this church. He commends the believers for standing firm in the face of persecution; he also explains more about the Day of the Lord and tells idlers in the community to get back to work. A true understanding of the gospel will inspire hope for the future, as well as diligence for the here and now.

Background

Like 1 Thessalonians, Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy are identified as the authors of 2 Thessalonians (2 Thess 1:1; 3:17; 1 Thess 1:1), but there is some modern debate about its authorship. This debate centers around the style and vocabulary differences with Paul’s other letters, the suggestion that its theology is more developed than this period of early Christianity, and the close parallels with 1 Thessalonians. This leads to the theory that an author other than Paul drew upon the material of 1 Thessalonians to compose 2 Thessalonians. However, it could be that Paul felt like he needed to emphasize the same matters twice, had a large vocabulary, used a different scribe, and that early Christian theology was more developed than is often theorized. In addition, 2 Thessalonians was unanimously accepted by the early church fathers as by Paul.

The recipients of 2 Thessalonians were Christians in Thessalonica, a city in Macedonia (northern Greece) where Paul and his companions had planted a church (Acts 17:1–9; see the “Introduction to 1 Thessalonians”). This letter does not provide as many clues about the date and place of its writing as 1 Thessalonians (which was sent from Corinth around ad 50–51). Since the two letters cover many of the same issues, 2 Thessalonians was likely written soon after 1 Thessalonians (2 Thess 2:15) near the end of Paul’s second missionary journey (circa ad 49–51).

In the time since Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians, it seems that several factors he addressed in that letter had intensified: persecution, uncertainty about Christ’s return, and idleness in the church. The persecution and suffering mentioned in the first letter were still continuing (2 Thess 1:5–6; 1 Thess 1:6; 2:14; 3:3–4). Despite Paul’s teaching, some people in the community were apparently saying that the Day of the Lord had already come (2 Thess 2:1–2; compare 1 Thess 5:1–11). In addition, some of the Thessalonian Christians apparently had decided that they did not need to work for a living (2 Thess 3:10–12; compare 1 Thess 4:11–12; 5:14).

Structure

Like many of Paul’s other letters, 2 Thessalonians has a greeting (2 Thess 1:1–2) which flows immediately into a thanksgiving section (1:3–12) that introduces the letter’s main concerns. In this case, Paul’s primary intention is to comfort and exhort the Thessalonian believers as they are facing persecution. In the next major section (2:1–17), Paul reassures the Thessalonians that the return of Christ has not taken place already, because the events before that day had not taken place. Paul had already taught them about these matters when he was with them (2:5).

Next, Paul addresses the issue of people in the community who had stopped working (3:1–15). This behavior might be connected to assumptions about Christ’s return: If it had already come or is coming soon, people have thought there was no point in working. In rebuke, Paul tells the Thessalonians to follow his example: When with them, he did everything he could to avoid being a burden (3:7–9). The letter closes with a benediction emphasizing the peace of God, which is especially important given the persecution and uncertainty that was troubling the Thessalonian church (3:16–18).

Outline

• Thanksgiving and prayer (1:1–12)

• Misunderstanding regarding the Day of the Lord (2:1–17)

• Exhortations to avoid idleness, benediction, and closing (3:1–18)

Themes

Second Thessalonians’ central point is that God is just and faithful—which means that our present and future are safe in His hands. Because God is just, the Thessalonians can trust Him in the midst of their current troubles (1:5–6), knowing that He will preserve them and judge those who persecute them (1:7–10). Because God is faithful, they can entrust their future to Him (3:3).

Paul encourages the Thessalonians, and us, to stay faithful in all we do; we are to work hard—ultimately for His purposes (2:13–17; 3:6–9). We also have to exhort others to do the same; this will, at times, result in us making difficult decisions in regards to our relationships (3:10–15). But since we know that God is just and faithful, we can put our whole lives, present and future, in His hands.

Further Reading

The Gods at Thessalonica

Thessalonica CLBD