BIBLE STUDY --- NEW TESTAMENT LETTERS

2 THESSALONIANS

Paul’s second epistle to the church at Thessalonica.

AUTHOR{S}

This letter, like 1 Thessalonians, begins with the names of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, and like that letter often retains the plural pronouns “we” and “us” but also has the singular “I” {e.g., 2 Thessalonians 2:5}. The end of the letter reads: “Now here is my greeting, which I write with my own hand -- PAUL. I do this at the end of all my letters to prove that they really are from me” {3:17}. Some scholars have questioned Paul’s authorship, mostly because of the difference between the teaching about the future in this letter and that in 1 Thessalonians. In the light of the words of 2 Thessalonians 3:17, the first letter would have to be seen as a blatant forgery. And this is not the case. The early church did not question Paul’s authorship of both.

DATE, ORIGIN, AND DESTINATION

In the first verse, exactly as in 1 Thessalonians, the letter is addressed “to the church of the Thessalonians.” Unlike 1 Thessalonians, this letter provides us with no other personal details of the movements of Paul and his co-workers. Thus, there is no direct evidence of the date and place of the letter. Just as the difference between the teaching of this epistle from that of 1 Thessalonians has led some to question its Pauline authorship, so it has led others to a variety of explanations for its date and destination. These include:

1 -- It was written much later than 1 Thessalonians. This is improbable because both Silas and Timothy were still with Paul.

2 -- It was written earlier than 1 Thessalonians. In 2:15, however, there is a reference to a letter written previously to Thessalonica, and the early church from the second century certainly called this 2 Thessalonians.

3 -- It was written to Jewish believers in Thessalonica, while 1 Thessalonians was written to gentile believers. This however, is most unlikely, as the apostle who had such concern for the unity of all believers in one place {e.g., 1 Corinthians 1–3} and especially for the unity of Jewish and gentile believers {see Ephesians 2:11-22} could hardly have done such a thing.

4 -- It was written to believers in a different place {Berea or Philippi}, and then came to be in the hands of the Thessalonian believers. There is no evidence to support the idea that the letter was sent anywhere but to Thessalonica.

When this epistle was written, Paul had the same co-workers with him as when he wrote 1 Thessalonians {2 Thessalonians 1:1}. This indicates that probably a short time after writing 1 Thessalonians, Paul heard of further problems being faced by the believers in Thessalonica, and in his concern for them, he wrote this second letter.

PURPOSE

There were three main concerns in the mind of the apostle Paul as he wrote this letter. As in all his letters, he wanted to encourage his readers to stand firm in their faith {2:15}. He could thank YHVH for his work in their lives {1:3; 2:13}, made evident by their faith, love, and steadfastness in the face of persecutions {1:4}. Paul assured them of the righting of wrongs in the ultimate judgment of YHVH. Their task was to glorify the name of Yeshua by their lives; then at his coming he would be glorified in his faithful people {verses 5-12}. There was false teaching, even purportedly from Paul, that the Day of Adonai had already come {2:2}. The apostle rejected this teaching by saying that certain things must take place prior to the Second Coming. There must be a still greater manifestation of evil in the person of one called “the man of Lawlessness” or “the son of perdition.” This one will reject all true worship, show signs and wonders, and proclaim himself to be YHVH. At present there is a restraining influence. The time will come however, when the Lawless one will be revealed. Then Adonai himself will come and “the Lawless one” will be conquered and destroyed. This teaching {verses 1-12} is similar to that in the Gospels about the Antichrist or antichrists, claiming to be the Moshiach, deceiving people by signs and wonders {Matthew 24:5, 23-26; Mark 13:5-6, 20-23}. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul emphasized that the time of Adonai’s coming is unknown, and believers must be ready for him at any time. Here, in opposition to the idea that Adonai had already come, Paul spoke of those things that must take place before Adonai’s coming. Both of these aspects were also presented by Yeshua when he taught about the future {Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21}. Finally, the problem of laziness in the believer’s community {referred to in 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 5:14} remained, and probably had increased. Paul had to refer again to the example that he and his co-workers had given to them -- they had worked with their own hands to earn a living instead of depending on those to whom they brought the gospel. Paul had a simple dictum that he applied: “If anyone will not work, let him not eat” {2 Thessalonians 3:10}.

CONTENT

THANKSGIVING FOR THEIR FAITH IN YESHUA {1:3-4}

Paul praised YHVH for the Thessalonians’ growing faith, increasing love, and endurance of persecution.

A REVERSAL OF PERSECUTORS AND PERSECUTED {1:5-10}

At that time the Thessalonian believers were having to suffer, but their persecutors would have to face the just judgment of YHVH at the coming of Adonai Yeshua “with his mighty angels.” Those who reject the knowledge of YHVH and the salvation offered in the gospel must “suffer the punishment of eternal destruction.” His people will experience that glory of his coming and will realize that they have not believed or suffered in vain.

PRAYER THAT ADONAI YESHUA WILL BE GLORIFIED {1:11-12}

This is Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonian believers -- a life worthy of their calling, the fulfilling of their resolves, and by the grace of YHVH, that the name of the Moshiach would be glorified in them.

EVENTS THAT MUST PRECEDE MOSHIACH’S SECOND COMING {2:1-12}

In this section, Paul deals with the false teaching that the Day of Adonai had already come. Before this event, there must be the revealing of “the man of Lawlessness,” otherwise called the Antichrist {though it may be noted that the New Testament also speaks of “antichrists” and “the spirit of antichrist” -- 1 John 2:18; 4:3}. Paul said, “That day will not come until there is a great rebellion against YHVH and the man of Lawlessness is revealed” {2 Thessalonians 2:3}. At the present time, the mystery of Lawlessness is restrained {verses 6-7}. But in the future -- just prior to Adonai’s coming -- the restraint will be taken away. In other words, all hell will break loose. The believers must be prepared for a supreme manifestation of evil “with pretended signs and wonders” {verse 9} by which many will be deceived. The coming of the Moshiach will mean the overthrow of evil and the judgment of those who oppose the truth and take pleasure in unrighteousness.

RENEWED THANKSGIVING, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND PRAYER {2:13–3:5}

Subsequent to the discussion of the power of evil in people’s lives, Paul gives thanks for the work of the Spirit of YHVH in the lives of the Thessalonian believers. He encourages them to continue in all that the apostle has taught them, when present with them or by letter. Paul’s prayer is that YHVH, as the great Giver of comfort and hope, will establish them in every good work and word. He also expresses his need of their prayers, that YHVH may continue to prosper the word he preaches and deliver him from evil men. His readers, for their part, can be assured of YHVH’s faithfulness. Paul’s prayer for them is that, as they continue in the things in which they have been taught, they will be directed to the love of YHVH and the endurance that comes from the Moshiach.

WARNING AGAINST DISORDERLINESS AND IDLENESS {3:6-15}

Another of Paul’s special purposes in writing was to stress that there is no place for idleness in the lives of believers. He had taught this and exemplified this in his own life. People believing in Yeshua are “to do their work in quietness,” “earn their own living,” and “not be weary in well- doing” {verses 12-13}. There should be no associating with those who reject this teaching, but they should be admonished as brothers, not treated as enemies.

CONCLUSION {3:16-18}

With a prayer for grace and peace and with his own personal signature, Paul concludes the letter. When he speaks of writing with his own hand in verse 17, it probably means that up to that point Paul had dictated his letter to someone else {cf. 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18}.