“These letters make important contributions to our knowledge of eschatology.” — D. A. Carson & Douglas J. Moo -An Introduction to the New Testament.
I often wait with eager anticipation for a sequel to a favorite film, or the next episode or season in a television series. Mixed with this is a concern the new installment will not be as good as the first. Sometimes, that happens. Other times, the sequel is as good, if not better, than the original.
The same may be said about written communication from a friend. I remember when letters or greeting cards were mailed and it could be days or weeks before you received a written reply; if any. Today, with emails, texts, X and Instagram, you may receive, or respond, to someone’s thoughts put into words; there’s and yours.
It is with this in mind we begin studying the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonian church. It is most likely Paul wrote this second letter, or sequel if you will, shortly after the first epistle. It appears the Thessalonians believers did not have to wait very long to again hear from Paul, Silas and Timothy.
The following introductory information is accessed from Dr. Thomas L. Constable, “2 Thessalonians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 712–713.
The Writer of the Epistle.
This letter claims to have been written by Paul, who wrote 1 Thessalonians under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Thes. 1:1). There are no indications among the writings of the early church fathers who lived during and after Paul’s lifetime that anyone questioned the authenticity of this letter’s claim. In fact, several fathers mentioned the Pauline authorship of this epistle in their writings. Not until early in the 19th century were various questions raised about authorship. They came from rationalistic critics who refused to accept the Bible’s claim to divine inspiration. But critical questions have not proven devastating because the authenticity of this and other New Testament books has been demonstrable through the ages.
The Place of Writing.
Almost all conservative scholars believe that 2 Thessalonians was written from Corinth. The basis for this conclusion is that Paul, Silas, and Timothy were present together in Corinth (Acts 18:5). They are not referred to in the Bible as being together thereafter, though they might have been. Since 1 Thessalonians was written from Corinth (see Introduction to 1 Thes.), and since the topics treated in the second epistle seem to grow out of situations alluded to in the first epistle and reflect a very similar situation in the Thessalonian church, Corinth seems the logical site of composition.
The Date of Writing.
For the reasons mentioned above, it appears that 2 Thessalonians was written quite soon after 1 Thessalonians, perhaps within 12 months. This would place the date of composition in the early a.d. 50s and would make this epistle the third of Paul’s canonical writings (assuming Galatians was his first).
The Occasion and Purpose for Writing.
The epistle gives evidence that Paul had recently heard news about conditions in the church. Probably this information came to him from the messenger who delivered 1 Thessalonians and returned to Corinth. Perhaps other people who had news of the church informed the three missionaries (Paul, Silas, and Timothy) also. Some of the news was good: the Thessalonians were continuing to grow and to remain faithful to Christ in spite of persecution. But some was bad: false teaching concerning the day of the Lord had entered the church and was causing confusion and leading some of the Christians to quit their jobs in expectation of the Lord’s return.
In view of these reports Paul felt constrained to write this epistle. He commended his children in the faith for their growth, corrected their doctrinal error about the day of the Lord, and warned of its consequences.
I pray this study of 2 Thessalonians will be instructive and edifying for all of us. May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 