Context of 2nd Thessalonians
The Problem of Pseudonymity
A increasing number of scholars are skeptical about the genuineness of 2nd Thessalonians.
If Paul actually composed it, why does he repeat – almost verbatim – so much of what he has already just written to the same recipients?
More seriously, why does the author present an eschatology so different from that presented in the first letter?
In 1st Thessalonians, the Parousia will occur stealthily, “like a thief in the night.”
In 2nd Thessalonians, a number of apocalyptic “signs” will first advertise its arrival.
Scholars defending Pauline authorship advance several theories to explain the writer’s apparent change of attitude toward the Parousia.
In the first letter, Paul underscores the tension between the shortness of time the world has left and the necessity of believers’ vigilance and ethical purity as they await the Second Coming.
In the second missive, Paul writes to correct the Thessalonians’ misconceptions about or misuses of his earlier emphasis on the nearness of End time.
If Paul is in fact the author, he probably wrote 2nd Thessalonians within a few months of his earlier letter.
Some converts, claiming that “the Day of the Lord is already here,” were upsetting others with their otherworldly enthusiasms.
In their state of apocalyptic fervor, some even scorned everyday occupations and refused to work or support themselves.
It is possible that the visionary Spirit of prophecy that he encouraged the Thessalonians to cultivate had come back to haunt him.
Empowered by private revelations, a few Christian prophets may have interpreted the Spirit’s presence – made possible by Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to heaven – as a mystical fulfillment of the Parousia.
Paul, however, consistently emphasizes that Jesus’ resurrection and the Spirit’s coming are only the first stage in God’s plan of cosmic renewal.
God’s purpose can be completed only at the apocalyptic End of history.
Structure of 2nd Thessalonians
I. Salutation (1:1-2)
II. Comfort in Affliction (1:3-12)
A. Perseverance in the Midst of Persecutions (1:3-10)
B. Preparation of the Saints for the Kingdom (1:11-12)
III. Correction Concerning the Day of the Lord (2:1-12)
A. Summary: Doctrinal Correction (2:1-2)
B. Day of the Lord Yet Future (2:3-5)
C. The Unveiling of the Antichrist (2:6-12)
IV. Reminder Concerning their Destiny (2:13-17)
A. Standing Firm in Light of this Destiny (2:13-15)
B. Benediction: Encouraged Hearts (2:16-17)
V. Exhortations Concerning Practical Matters (3:1-15)
A. Request for Prayer (3:1-5)
B. Rebuke of the Idle (3:6-15)
VI. Final Greetings (3:16-18)
Themes of 2nd Thessalonians
Placing the Second Coming in Perspective
In 2nd Thessalonians, Paul (or some other writer building on his thought) takes on the difficult task of urging Christians to be ever alert and prepared for the Lord’s return and at the same time to remember that certain events must take place before the Second Coming can occur.
In introducing his apocalyptic theme, the author invokes a vivid image of the Final Judgment to imprint its imminent reality on his readers’ consciousness.
He paraphrases images from the Hebrew prophets to imply that persons now persecuting Christians will soon suffer God’s wrath.
Christ will be revealed from heaven amid blazing fire, overthrowing those who disobey Jesus’ gospel or fail to honor the one God.
Paul (or a disciple) now admonishes them not to assume that the punishment will happen immediately.
Believers are not to run wild over some visionary’s claim that the End is already here.
Individual prophetic revelations declaring that Jesus is now invisibly present were apparently strengthened when a letter – supposedly from Paul – conveyed the same or a similar message.
This pseudo-Pauline letter reveals that the practice of composing letters in Paul’s name began very early in Christian history.
Speculations founded on private revelations or forged letters, the apostle points out, are doomed to disappoint those who fall for them.
Traditional Signs of the End
Apocalyptic Dualism
In 2nd Thessalonians, the writer paints a typically apocalyptic worldview, a moral dualism in which the opposing powers of good and evil have their respective agents at work on earth.
The enemy figure is Satan’s agent; his opposite is Christ.
As Jesus is God’s representative working in human history, so the wicked rebel is the devil’s tool.
Operating on a cosmic scope, the conflict between good and evil culminates in Christ’s victory over his enemy, who has deceived the mass of humanity into believing the “lie.”
This is, perhaps, the false belief that any being other than God is the source of humanity’s ultimate welfare.
An evil parody of the Messiah, the unnamed satanic dupe functions as an anti-Christ.
The writer’s language is specific enough to arouse speculation about the identities of the enigmatic “wicked man” and the “Restrainer” who at the time of writing kept the anti-Christ in check.
It is also vague enough to preclude connecting any known historical figures with these eschatological roles.
In typical apocalyptic fashion, the figures are mythic archetypes that belong to a realm beyond the reach of historical investigation.
I. Salutation (1:1-2)
Claims to be written by Paul, Silas, and Timothy
Blessing of grace and peace upon the church of the Thessalonians
II. Comfort in Affliction (1:3-12)
A. Perseverance in the Midst of Persecutions (1:3-10)
1. The Perseverance of the Saints (1:3-4)
We always thank God for you because…
Your faith is growing more and more
The love you have for one another is increasing
We boast about your…
Perseverance in persecution
Faith in trial
2. The Vindication of God’s Righteousness (1:5-10)
Because of all this we know that…
God’s judgment is right
You will be worthy of God’s Kingdom for which you suffer
God will trouble those who trouble you
God will relieve you and us
When will this happen?
When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels
When he punishes those who don’t know him or obey the Gospel
How will they be punished?
Everlasting destruction
Shut out from the Lord’s presence
Shut out from the glory of his might
When this happens…
He will be glorified in his holy people
He will be marveled at among all who have believed
You will be included because you believed us
B. Preparation of the Saints for the Kingdom (1:11-12)
With this in mind, we pray that…
God may make you worthy of his calling
Your every good desire will be made fruitful by God’s power
Your every deed prompted by faith will be made fruitful by God’s power
The name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified in you
You may be glorified in Jesus by God’s grace
III. Correction Concerning the Day of the Lord (2:1-12)
A. Summary: Doctrinal Correction (2:1-2)
The Thessalonians were faced with a false teaching, saying that Christ had already returned.
Paul corrects this, telling them not to be alarmed by such reports
He states that this message, whether it came by prophesy, by word of mouth, or by letter, is not apostolic
B. Day of the Lord Yet Future (2:3-5)
That day will not come until…
The rebellion occurs
The man of lawlessness is revealed
The man of lawlessness will…
Be doomed to destruction
Will oppose all gods
Will exalt himself above all that is worshiped
Will set himself up in God’s Temple, proclaiming himself to be God
Here, Paul asks the Thessalonians if they have forgotten how he already told them all this before
C. The Unveiling of the Antichrist (2:6-12)
The secret power of lawlessness is already at work, but at the proper time…
The man of lawlessness will be revealed
The one who now holds this lawlessness at bay will be removed
The Lord Jesus will…
Overthrow this man with the breath of his mouth
Destroy this man with the splendor of his coming
The lawless one’s coming will be accompanied by…
The works of Satan
Displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie
All the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing
Why do they perish?
Because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved
Because they hate the truth…
God sends them a delusion to believe in
Why does God give them a lie?
To punish them for hating the truth and loving wickedness
IV. Reminder Concerning their Destiny (2:13-17)
A. Standing Firm in Light of this Destiny (2:13-15)
We thank God for you because…
God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through…
The sanctifying work of the Spirit
Belief in the truth
Why did God call you to this?
So that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ
Therefore…
Stand firm
Hold to the teachings we passed on to you by word of mouth and letter
B. Benediction: Encouraged Hearts (2:16-17)
Our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father…
Loved us
Gave us eternal encouragement
Gave us good hope
How?
By his grace
May our God also…
Encourage your hearts
Strengthen you in every good deed and word
V. Exhortations Concerning Practical Matters (3:1-15)
A. Request for Prayer (3:1-5)
Pray that…
The message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, as it was with you
We may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith
The Lord…
Is faithful
Will strengthen you
Will protect you from the evil one
Gives us confidence that you will continue to do as we have instructed
Will direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance
B. Rebuke of the Idle (3:6-15)
We command you in Jesus’ name to keep away from believers who…
Are idle
Are disruptive
Do not live according to our teachings
Follow our example…
We were not idle when we were with you
We didn’t eat anyone’s food without paying for it
We worked night and day so as not to be a burden to you
Why did we do these things?
Not because we didn’t have the right to such help
To model for you how to live
We applied to ourselves the proverb we gave to you: “The one who will not work will not eat.”
We hear that some among you…
Are idle
Are disruptive
Are not busy, but are busybodies
We command and urge these people in the name of Christ…
To settle down
To earn the food they eat
What should the rest of you do about these folks?
Take special note of the ones who disobey this letter
Don’t associate with them, so that they will be ashamed of themselves
Don’t treat them as an enemy
Warn them as fellow believers
VI. Final Greetings (3:16-18)
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.”
“The Lord be with all of you.”
“I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.”
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”
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Stephen L. Harris. The New Testament: A Student's Introduction (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill: New York, NY, 2009.
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