Second Thessalonians is the shortest of Paul’s epistles. It is also the shortest of the nine letters he wrote to churches. It considered by many to be a sort of sequel to 1 Thessalonians
Author
Second Thessalonians 1:1 says the epistle was written by Paul, Silas, and Timothy. Like 1 Thessalonians, “we” and “us” is used throughout. The letter ends with Paul speaking in the first person singular (2 Thess. 3:17). Interestingly Second Thessalonians is quoted more frequently by the early church leaders and writers than 1 Thessalonians.
Recipients
Paul visited Thessalonica on his second missionary journey. After he left, he eventually ended up in Corinth, where he stayed for 18 months. He wrote 1 Thessalonians from Corinth in 51 AD. All indications are that Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians a short time after 1 Thessalonians, which means he also wrote it from Corinth in 51 AD. Some bible experts believe that 1 Thessalonians was written in the early summer and 2 Thessalonians was written later the same year. Whoever delivered the first epistle to Thessalonica remained long enough to notice the effects of Paul’s letter and to gain insight into the situation there. Evidently, this messenger brought back a report with both favorable and unfavorable news. The immediate occasion for the writing of 2 Thessalonians was to address the nature of this new information the messenger returned with. They were making progress in faith and hope (2 Thess. 1:3) and they were remaining steadfast under repeated outbreaks of persecution (2 Thess. 1:4). In the first letter, Paul had comforted them in their distress about the death of their loved ones, but their expectation concerning the Second Coming of Christ had intensified. Some had concluded that the Day of the Lord had already arrived (2 Thess. 2:2) and thus were expecting the immediate return of Christ. Consequently, some quit working on building the church. With time on their hands, some became meddlers interfering with those who wanted to continue with the work of the gospel. (2 Thess. 3:1012).
Message
One misunderstanding of the Thessalonians concerned the return of Jesus Christ was this. Paul had said that Christ would return unexpectedly and suddenly, but some people thought this meant he would return immediately. The main subject of this letter is to offer a correction of a prophetical misunderstanding. The message is although they were expecting persecution, they should not mistake that for the Day of Christ, they should not cease to work, and they should stand firm against and even discipline those who do.
Structure
Second Thessalonians is in the form of a letter.
I. 1:1-2:12 Concerning Christ's return
II. 2:13-3:18 Present needs in the church
Purposes
The first purpose of 2 Thessalonians is to comfort those who were experiencing persecution. Paul had been persecuted by unbelieving Jews while he was there and after he left. Now the believers Paul left behind were being persecuted (2 Thess. 1:4). They were doing well, but Paul was writing to encourage them. He does that by, among other things, letting them know he thanked God for them and was praying for them.
The second purpose of 2 Thessalonians is to correct a prophetical misunderstanding. Someone told them that the Tribulation had already begun (2 Thess. 2:2). This was confirmed (supposedly) by a spiritual revelation they had received. Whether this was in the form of a Spirt, a messenger, or perhaps even a letter is unclear. The fact that they were going through persecution made all this believable. Paul reminds them that the Day of Christ will not be come until two events occur:
1) The apostasy,
2) The apocalypse of the man of sin.
The third purpose of 2 Thessalonians is to praise and encourage them in their practice. Paul also issues several commands: one is to pray (2 Thess. 3:1-5) and another is to withdraw from those who walk disorderly (2 Thess. 3:6-15). This second command is related to the misconception of prophecy. Because they were expecting the Lord to come at any moment, some quit their jobs and became meddlers and gossips. Paul says to that if people will not work, neither shall they eat (2 Thess. 3:10) and you should separate yourself from those who act that way. (2 Thess. 3:6).
Summary:
Paul wrote a second letter to the Thessalonians to comfort them in their persecution, correct their prophetical misunderstanding and their practical misconduct. The Lord is coming back, but we should work until He comes.