2 Thessalonians Introduction - KJV (King James Version)
Synopsis:
This letter from the apostle Paul was probably written shortly after his first letter to the church in Thessalonica. He had been boasting of them to other churches, telling of their faith and their love for each other in the face of persecution. Paul reminded them that God will repay their persecutors. He also addressed two recurring problems in this church. First, as seen in 1 Thessalonians, they were concerned that the Lord had already returned. Paul urged them not to become "shaken in mind or alarmed," fearing that "the day of the Lord" (2:2) had already come. Second, he admonished them not to be idle, commanding them that, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat" (3:10).
Topic: Day of the Lord
Authorship: Paul
- 2nd Thessalonians is considered a disputed epistle, meaning liberal scholars don't attribute the work to him but classify pseudepigraphic. They will argue over different stylistic traits within Ephesians compared to other of Paul's epistles. The affect of trying to classify the letter for later authorship is to portray a slow development of Christian doctrine especally in regards to its Christology.
Date of Composition: 52-53 AD
Simple Outline:
1. Encouragement (2 Thes 1)
A. Praise (Ch 1:1-4)
B. In Persecution (Ch 1:5-10)
C. Prayer for Blessing (Ch 1:11-12)
2. Day of the Lord (2 Thes 2)
A. Events Leadin Up (Ch 2:1-12)
B. Comfort for the Believer (Ch 2:13-17)
3. Exhortation (2 Thes 3)
A. Be Patient (Ch 3:1-5)
B. Withdraw (Ch 3:6-18)
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