2 Thessalonians
Paul's authorship of 2 Thessalonians has been questioned more often than that of 1 Thessalonians, in spite of the fact that it has more support from early Christian writers. Objections are based on internal factors rather than on the adequacy of the statements of the church fathers. It is thought that there are differences in the vocabulary (ten words not used elsewhere), in the style (it is said to be unexpectedly formal) and in the eschatology (the doctrine of the 'man of lawlessness' is not taught elsewhere). However, such arguments have not convinced current interpreters. A majority still hold to Paul's authorship of 2 Thessalonians.
Because of its similarity to 1 Thessalonians, it must have been written not long after the first letter -- perhaps about six months. The situation in the church seems to have been much the same. Paul probably penned it (see 1:1; 3:17) c. a.d. 51 or 52 in Corinth, after Silas and Timothy had returned from delivering 1 Thessalonians; see also Introduction to 1 Thessalonians).
Inasmuch as the situation in the Thessalonian church has not changed substantially, Paul's purpose in writing is very much the same as in his first letter to them. He writes (1) to encourage persecuted believers (1:4- 10), (2) to correct a misunderstanding concerning the Lord's return (2:1-12) and (3) to exhort the Thessalonians to be steadfast and to work for a living (2:13 -- 3:15).
Like 1 Thessalonians, this letter deals extensively with eschatology (see Introduction to 1 Thessalonians: Theme). In fact, in 2 Thessalonians 18 out of 47 verses deal with this subject.
Introduction (ch. 1)
Greetings (1:1-2)
Thanksgiving for Their Faith, Love and Perseverance (1:3-10)
Intercession for Their Spiritual Progress (1:11-12)
Instruction (ch. 2)
Prophecy regarding the Day of the Lord (2:1-12)
Thanksgiving for Their Election and Calling (Their Position) (2:13-15)
Prayer for Their Service and Testimony (Their Practice) (2:16-17)
Injunctions (ch. 3)
Call to Prayer (3:1-5)
Charge to Discipline the Disorderly and Lazy (3:6-15)
Conclusion, Final Greetings and Benediction (3:16-18)
2Th1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th1:2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Th1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
2Th1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
2Th1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
2Th1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
2Th1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
2Th1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2Th1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
2Th1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
2Th1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Th2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2Th2:3 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;
2Th2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2Th2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2Th2:13 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:
2Th2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Th2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
2Th2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
2Th2:17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
2Th3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2Th3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
2Th3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
2Th3:4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
2Th3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
2Th3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
2Th3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
