2 Thessalonians, Introduction, Class 1

Tod Kennedy, February 17, 2010

Introduction to 2 Thessalonians

1.      Read the introductory notes for 1 Thessalonians for more detail.

2.      Paul spent 18 months in Corinth after serving in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens (Acts 16-18). Silas and Timothy were with him during parts of these ministries. According to Acts 18:5 Silas and Timothy were with Paul in Corinth. Furthermore, Paul, Silas, and Timothy are in the greeting of both 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

3.      Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica from Athens to find out how the Thessalonians were doing. Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians from Corinth in response to Timothy’s report about the Thessalonians’ strong faith and ministry even though they were under much opposition (1 Thessalonians 3:1-8).

4.      Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians in response to questions that had surfaced about the Lord’s comings which he had written about in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5. The contents of 2 Thessalonian indicate that it followed soon after 1 Thessalonians so it was probably also written from Corinth. Remember, Paul stayed 18 months in Corinth according to Acts 18:11. After Corinth Paul made a short stop in Ephesus and then finished that missionary trip in Caesarea (Acts 18:18-22).

Theme of 2 Thessalonians

Though the Thessalonian believers were under severe persecution, this was not the day of the Lord. The day of the Lord will be marked by the emergence of the man of lawlessness. He will oppose God and delude the world into following him instead of God. Meanwhile the Thessalonians are to continue to stand firm in the faith, live a testimony to the faith, and not grow weary of doing good.

Summary of 2 Thessalonians

Paul commended these believers for their growing and strong faith in God and love toward believers, all the while living under severe persecution because of their faith. But Paul also corrected some misunderstandings about the return of the Lord in glory and judgment—the day of the Lord. He reminded them that the Lord would not come before the man of lawlessness set himself up as God in the temple. This man will operate according to Satan’s power, signs, and false wonders, and many will be deluded by him. Believers were chosen for deliverance from this. Paul challenged the believers to stand firm, and to hold to what they have been taught. Paul concluded with a request for prayer, with a reminder that the Lord is faithful, and that they not associate with those believers who are unruly, undisciplined, not working, and busybodies. Paul told them “do not grow weary of doing good.”

Chapter Titles of 2 Thessalonians

Chapter 1, Spiritual growth and undeserved suffering

Chapter 2, The day of the Lord and the man of sin