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Paul's letters · New Testament · 3 chapters

The book of 2 Thessalonians

Standing firm until the day of the Lord

Author
The apostle Paul, with Silvanus and Timothy (1:1)
Written
Around AD 51, shortly after the first letter, probably from Corinth
Time covered
Second missionary journey, during Paul’s stay in Corinth (Acts 18:1-11)
Key word
Steadfastness

Paul thanks God for a faith that grows in the midst of persecution and reminds the church that God will bring justice: when the Lord Jesus is revealed, the persecutors will be punished and believers glorified (1). He then corrects an alarming rumor: the day of the Lord has not yet come. The apostasy and the man of sin must appear first, but Jesus will destroy the wicked one with the breath of his mouth (2:1-12). Chosen for salvation, believers must stand firm in the teaching they received (2:13-17). Finally, Paul asks for prayer and commands the idle to work quietly: “If any would not work, neither should he eat” (3).

Main theme

Against panic and idleness, Paul strengthens a persecuted church: God will bring justice at Christ’s return; that day has not yet come, for the apostasy and the man of sin must appear first; in the meantime, everyone must stand firm and work quietly.

Outline

  1. 2 Thessalonians 1 — Comfort in persecution

    A faith that grows in trial and the assurance of God’s righteous judgment when Jesus is revealed.

  2. 2 Thessalonians 2 — The day has not yet come

    The apostasy and the man of sin must come before the day of the Lord; the elect must stand firm.

  3. 2 Thessalonians 3 — Pray, work, correct

    A request for prayer, the Lord’s faithfulness, quiet work, and brotherly discipline of the idle.

Key points

  • Persecution is not a sign of abandonment: it shows God’s righteous judgment and makes believers worthy of the kingdom (1:4-5).
  • Jesus will be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, to punish those who do not obey the gospel (1:7-9).
  • The day of the Lord had not already come: the apostasy and the man of sin must appear first (2:2-3).
  • The man of sin will proclaim himself God, but the Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of his mouth (2:4, 2:8).
  • God chose believers for salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth (2:13).
  • Stand firm in the apostolic teaching, whether spoken or written, against rumors and forged letters (2:2, 2:15).
  • “If any would not work, neither should he eat”: waiting for the Lord is never an excuse for laziness (3:10-12).
  • Brotherly discipline aims at a healthy shame, never at hatred: admonish the offender as a brother (3:14-15).
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Thessalonians 1:7–8 — The return of Jesus in glory and in judgment, with his mighty angels.
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2 Thessalonians 2:3 — The landmark that calms anxious minds: the apostasy and the man of sin come before the day of the Lord.
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 — Salvation from start to finish: chosen by God, sanctified by the Spirit, called by the gospel, destined for glory.

Jesus in 2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians shows Jesus as the Lord who returns as a glorious Judge: he will be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels (1:7) and “glorified in his saints” (1:10). He is also the final conqueror of evil: the most powerful wicked one will be destroyed by the mere breath of his mouth and the brightness of his coming (2:8). In the meantime, his name is glorified in the faithful lives of those who believe (1:12).

Did you know?

  • Letters were already circulating under Paul’s name (2:2); that is why he signs in his own hand: “The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle” (3:17).
  • In 3:11 the Greek plays on words: these people are not “working” (ergazomenous) but “busybodies” (periergazomenous): idle people who are very busy.
  • The rule in 3:10 targets the person who “would not” work, not the one who cannot: the church must keep on doing good (3:13).

Quiz on 2 Thessalonians

What rumor was troubling the Thessalonians?

Complete the rule in 3:10: “If any would not work…”

How does Paul authenticate this letter?

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