If paul, however, here refers to his former epistle, the reference is doubtless to 1 thessalonians 4. The second epistle to the thessalonians, commonly referred to as second thessalonians or 2 thessalonians is a book from the new testament of the christian bible. Although 2 thessalonians is a relatively short letter, about onethird. The first and second epistles to the thessalonians blacks new.
Authorship of 2 thessalonians reasons for doubting pauline authorship some scholars think it odd that paul would repeat so much of what he said in 1 thessalonians in a second letter written to the same people a few months later. Watch our overview video on 2 thessalonians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The church in thessalonica still had some misconceptions about the day of the lord. The same three, paul, silvanus, and timothy sent the letter. Overview of the book of 2 thessalonians third millennium ministries. Because of its similarity to 1 thessalonians, it must have been written not long after the first letter perhaps about six months. Second thessalonians is the ninth of pauls letters. Paul wrote 1 thessalonians and sent it to the church. In the church of thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of christ.
Inasmuch as the situation in the thessalonian church has not changed substantially, pauls purpose in writing is very much the same as in his first letter to them. In the greek nt, 2 thessalonians is listed as to the thessalonians. But they also hold words of deep affection for these believers who have been a great encouragement to paul. It is traditionally attributed to paul the apostle, with timothy as a co author.
For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against god and the man of lawlessness is revealedthe one who brings destruction. But once these effects will cease at the rapture of the believers compare 1 thessalonians 1. In this second letter, paul gives them an idea what to expect at christs coming 2. Second thessalonians was undoubtedly written to deal with the embarrassment resulting from pauls belief that jesus would return in his own lifetime, yet died disappointed. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international bible.
The apostle paul, joined in his salutation by silvanus and timothy, and with a reference to his own signature at the end of the epistle. The language is so like his other letters that it shows that paul is the main author. It says not to be troubled by a previous letter written as if by paul, whi. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the net bible 19962006 by biblical studies press, l. These things are written of course to encourage us as believers even almost 2000 years later. To follow up his previous letter 1 thessalonians by instructing the thessalonians further about the return of christ and the importance of responsible daily living. After the pastoral epistles and ephesians, in fact, 2 thessalonians is the most doubted book in the corpus paulinum. Book of second thessalonians overview insight for living ministries. Second thessalonians does not have nearly as widespread acceptance as does 1 thessalonians. It is likely the first of pauls letters, probably written by the end of ad 52 however, some scholars believe. Paul, as in 1 thessalonians, identified himself twice as the author of this.
The book of 1 thessalonians was written in approximately a. The book of 2 thessalonians was likely written in ad 5152. Just because paul visited a city, preached the gospel for weeks or even months, and founded a church by guiding converts to the faith, this. Summary of the book of 2 thessalonians bible survey. Believers are to persevere through suffering until christs. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Book of 2 thessalonians, explained scripture by scripture. This has become one of my favorite volumes in this series. Silas and timothy did not author the letter of 2 thessalonians, as they did not write the letter of 1 thessalonians. What follows is an an organized and curated list of content. And yes i will brag and say i wrote a book on this too. Summary of 2 thessalonians 2 paul tells his audience to not be deceived by anyone who says that the day of the lord is already here 2 thessalonians 2. They thought it had come already so they stopped with their work. Summary of the book of 1 thessalonians bible survey.
Click here for an exhaustive list of content on 2 thessalonians. Replaces the book, the gospel and the end of time, which received a christianity today 1992 readers choice award digging into pauls letters to the thessalonians, john r. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. They participated in the very life of god and the life of christ. This represents the apostle pauls second canonical correspondence to the fellowship of believers in the city of thessalonica compare 1. And hope is exactly what we lack today, one of the great roots of this gradual slip into increased selfcenteredness. This summary of the book of 2 thessalonians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 2 thessalonians. Second epistle to the thessalonians read the bible online. Impressed by the faithfulness of the thessalonians in the face of persecution, paul wrote to encourage the christians in that community with the goal that they would continue to grow in godliness. Why i want to study the thessalonian epistles acts 16 and 17, introductory lesson to thessalonian series. First epistle to thessalonians read the bible online. Nine of these book are letters to local churches like the one in thessalonica. The apostle paul wrote 2 thessalonians see 2 thessalonians 1. The writer of the second letter to the thessalonians.
Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to paul include. Modern biblical scholarship is divided on whether the epistle was written by paul. The apostle paul wrote the book of 2 thessalonians. May 25, 2019 through the bible with les feldick lesson 2 part 3 book 43 2 thessalonians 2. God will forgive all who accept the gospel and believe in the lord jesus christ. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link. The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle, and is addressed to the church in thessalonica, in modernday greece. The apostle elaborated on the nature of the church with the somewhat unusual but wonderful expression in god the father and the lord jesus christ, which demonstrates the thessalonians vital and inextricable union with god and christ cf. Originally published as the gospel the end of time, stotts comments on 1 and 2 thessalonians are now available in paperback as a new addition to the bible speaks today series. Gospel received in much assurance and much affliction, vv.
Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international. Learn more about all the authors of the bible here. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. The second epistle to the thessalonians begins with almost the same wording as the first epistle. Each gives a needed emphasis that is not in the other. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living. This term i am once again teaching pauline literature.
D 51 or 52, paul addresses some misconceptions from his letter in i thessalonians. What is the purpose of the book of 2 thessalonians. No one really questioned that until the beginning of the 19th century. Prescript and proem the eschatological retribution 6. Bible introductions 2 thessalonians by john macarthur. Through the bible with les feldick lesson 2 part 3 book 43 2 thessalonians 2. The literary structure of 1 and 2 thessalonians david alan. Pauls authorship of 2 thessalonians has been questioned more often than that of 1 thessalonians. That leaves the books of ephesians, colossians, 2 thessalonians, 1 and 2. The body of the letter the day of the lord has not yet come 7.
The apostle paul identified himself twice as the author of this letter 1. A free bible commentary on 2 thessalonians in easyenglish. It is traditionally attributed to paul the apostle, with timothy as a coauthor. This represents the apostle pauls second canonical correspondence to the fellowship of believers in. As you read the words of 2 thessalonians, allow them to rekindle your hope and fan into flame your desire to live in godhonoring, industrious ways. Scholars are simply divided on authorship of these remaining 6 books. The book of 2 thessalonians was written shortly after the book of 1 thessalonians, probably within a few months. Now lets go back to i thessalonians chapter 4 and pick up again with this mind of the apostle paul toward these new believers fresh out of paganism. Paul, as in 1 thessalonians, identified himself twice as the author. This represents the apostle pauls second canonical correspondence to the fellowship of believers in the city of thessalonica cf. He saw the need to do a follow up letter to correct false doctrines about the day of the lord as some had thought it had already occurred. Book of 2 thessalonians explained discover the 66 books. The word biblical commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to scripture as divine revelation. The message of 1 and 2 thessalonians bible speaks today.
In the case of 2 thessalonians, it was initially attributed to paul. Verse 4 news about the progress at thessalonica had reached all of the regions of. Author and date paul, as in 1 thessalonians, identified himself twice as the author of this letter 1. In the greek new testament, 2 thessalonians is listed as to the thessalonians. Paul needed to address the three troubles the church in thessalonica faced. Paul draws on this tradition as he discusses the man of lawlessness, who is the son of destruction in 2 thessalonians 2. All believers will meet jesus in the air to begin an eternity spent with the lord 1 thessalonians 4. Pauls two letters to the thessalonians stand as some of the very ea. As biblical scholarship evolved, people began asking different questions of the text. Paul knew that hope in christ would encourage perseverance in godly living. One of the new books i assigned to students is nathan eubanks recently published commentary on 12 thessalonians in the catholic commentary on sacred scripture series baker academic, 2019.
Intro to 2 thessalonians biblica the international bible. Early church writers are agreed on the matter, with testimonies beginning as early as a. This summary of the book of 1 thessalonians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 1 thessalonians. A majority still hold to pauls authorship of 2 thessalonians. Paul, as in 1 thessalonians, identified himself twice as the author of this letter 1. Now well picking up again where we left off in ii thessalonians 2. The letter is more focused on problems in the church and may reflect the receipt of later news from the thessalonians. They thought it had come already so they stopped with. It is helpful to trace the locations of paul and his companions that relate to the thessalonian correspondence. Thessalonians and, to a much lesser extent, that of 2 thessalonians, attempting to understand how the biblical author has composed his correspondence and how the parts fit the wholehopefully without the pages exploding before us. The first epistle to the thessalonians, commonly referred to as first thessalonians or 1 thessalonians, is a pauline epistle of the new testament of the christian bible.