2 Thessalonians Intro and Chapter 1 - Part 10

Author of 2 Thessalonians

Vs 1 says plainly “Paul and Silvanus and Timothy”

referring to the senders of the letter not necessarily the author of the letter

we say this because of the use of we in certain places and the use of I in other places

While 1 Thessalonians is regarded widely to be an authentic letter of Paul, 2 Thessalonians is regularly debated when it comes to authenticity.

a lot of the debate is surrounded by the comparison of the two letters. Some believe the differences and similarities are too drastic for Paul to be the author of both.

Date of Thessalonians

Most scholars believe 2 Thess was written shortly after 1 Thess while Paul was still in Corinth.

Purpose of 2 Thessalonians

We get the purpose for the letter from internal evidence.

We find in the letter he does 3 specific things

he encourages the faint-hearted

addresses again the return of the Lord.

rebukes the slackers

Outline of 2 Thessalonians

I. Introduction and Greeting (1:1–2)

II. Encouragement in Persecution (1:3–12)

Thanksgiving for their growth in faith and love (1:3–4)

God’s justice and the return of Jesus (1:5–10)

Prayer for their perseverance and worthiness (1:11–12)

III. The Truth About the Day of the Lord (2:1–17)

Correction: The Day of the Lord has not yet come (2:1–2)

The "man of lawlessness" (Antichrist) must appear first (2:3–12)

Call to stand firm in the truth and tradition (2:13–15)

Prayer for comfort and strengthening (2:16–17)

IV. Exhortations to Christian Living (3:1–15)

Request for prayer for the spread of the gospel (3:1–2)

Confidence in the Lord's faithfulness (3:3–5)

Warning against laziness and disorderly behavior (3:6–15)

V. Final Greetings and Conclusion (3:16–18)

Chapter 1

2 Thessalonians 1:1 “1 This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Gives us the Author and co-senders of the letter - Paul Silvanus and Timothy

It also gives us the recipients of the letter the church of the Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 1:2 “2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.”

A declaration of prayer for them

2 Thessalonians 1:3–4 “3 Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. 4 We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering.”

We ought always to give thanks to God for you

faith is growing abundantly

love of each other increases all the more

The result of their endurance and faithfulness in the mist of persecution and hardships is that Paul and his companions boasted of them to other christians.

2 Thessalonians 1:5–10 “5 And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. 6 In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you. 7 And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. 10 When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him.”

Vs. 5 shows their suffering is not in vain for it proves their worthiness of the kingdom but also will display God’s justice.

Vs. 6 gives note that those who persecute followers of Jesus will feel the justice of God.

Vs. 7 helps us see that not only will persecutors receive justice but rest will be provided for those being persecuted. This will happen when Jesus comes back (with his mighty angels).

Vs. 8 continues to describe the return of Jesus, in flaming fire

Bringing judgment on two types of people

those who don’t know God

those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus

Vs. 9 says what will this judgement will be like

with eternal destruction

forever separated from the Lord and his glorious power

Vs. 10 shows what he will receive on that day

glory from his holy people

praise from all who believe

you - the Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 “11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Vs. 11 Praying that God gives them the ability to live a worthy life of his calling.

Power to accomplish all the good things yhour faith prompts you to do.

Vs. 12 because of the way they live, Jesus will be honored along with them and this is all done by the grace of God and Jesus.