In 2 Thessalonians, Paul addresses ongoing problems in the Church. Concerning the day of the Lord (also called "that day," 2 Thes. Thessalonica was originally an ancient town named Thermai, meaning “Hot Springs.”. The date of this letter is related to its occasion. 2 Thessalonians 1 1 - Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 - Grace to you and … BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: There’s no question that 2 Thessalonians is a letter. Each major section has the same four-fold outline: (1) Text (Greek text, genre, outline), (2) Background and Situation, (3) Themes and Interpretation, and (4) History of Interpretation. To combat this falling away Paul warns us to not let go of the foundational truth but hold onto it – “stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught whether by world or our epistle.” (2 Thessalonians 2… © Zondervan. 1 Thessalonians emphasizes the Day of Christ (rapture) while 2nd Thessalonians emphasizes the Day of the Lord. These two letters to the Thessalonians may be the earliest of theletters of Paul that we have. he is further described as he who, in frivolous arrogance, exalts himself above all that is called God. Historical Background. Because of its similarity to 1 Thessalonians, it must have been written not long after the first letter—perhaps about six months. which he had spoken in 1 Thessalonians (see Background). Macedonia was the former kingdom of Alexander the Great (he wanted one world domination and enlightenment with the culture of Greece. The shortest epistle that Paul ever wrote to any church: 3 chapters, 47 verses and 1,042 words. It follows the form of a first century CE Greek letter, with a greeting, a body, and a concluding formula. He wanted to marry east and west.). Its prosperity and cultural reputation attracted such figures as Paul the Apostle, Roman emperor Galerius… The Egnatian Way went west to Rome and east to Asia. | Powered by WordPress, 1 Thessalonians deals with Christ’s coming for the saints in the, This was the beginning of spreading the Gospel from the continent of Asia to the continent of, Going to Thessalonica transferred the ministry of the Gospel to, The Jews accused Paul’s evangelistic team of “, Grant's Verse-by-Verse Logos Bible Software. Made capital of the Roman province of Macedon, the city flourished due to its location on the major trade route to the east and continued to thrive as one of the most important cities in the Byzantine Empire. 7. Objections are based on internal factors rather than on the adequacy of the statements of the church fathers. In fact, in 2 Thessalonians 18 out of 47 verses deal with this subject. It was one of the world’s greatest dockyards of Roman times. However, such arguments have not convinced current interpreters. C. The principal people in the church at Thessalonica were Gentiles (1:9; Ac 17:4). This Antichrist is not the devil himself (Pelagius and others), for he is distinguished from him (2 Thessalonians 2:9); but according to 2 Thessalonians 2:9 he is an instrument of the devil. Some have suggested that Paul penned this letter from Ephesus (Acts 18:18-21), but his eighteenth month stay in Corinth provided ample time for both of the Thessalonian epistles to be authored (Acts 18:11). 1 Thessalonians presents the coming of Christ while 2nd Thessalonians sets for the coming of the Antichrist. This is the second of the four brief prayers which, as I pointed out in my last sermon, break the current of Paul’s teaching in this letter, and witness to the depth of his affection to his Thessalonian converts. 1 Thessalonians deals with Christ’s coming for the saints in the air while 2 Thessalonians deals with Christ’s coming to the earth with the saints. This was the beginning of spreading the Gospel from the continent of Asia to the continent of Europe. Xerxes the Persian established his naval base at this bay when he invaded Europe. Objections are based on internal factors rather than on the adequacy of the statements of the church fathers. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth … Paul’s authorship of 2 Thessalonians has been questioned more often than that of 1 Thessalonians, in spite of the fact that it has more support from early Christian writers. He therefore sent off the letter known to us as 2 Thessalonians. Thessalonica (also Thessalonike) was an ancient city of Macedon in northern Greece which today is the city of Thessaloniki. 2 Thessalonians EVERLASTING CONSOLATION AND GOOD HOPE 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17. Now, brethren, concerning … Even so, Paul’s role was more apparent. In time it became an important city because of its strategic location near the Aegean Sea. He writes (1) to encourage persecuted believers (1:4–10), (2) to correct a misunderstanding concerning the Lord’s return (2:1–12) and (3) to exhort the Thessalonians to be steadfast and to work for a living (2:13—3:15). Christ would "appear from heaven" preceding that day—an event separate from the Rapture (see exposition on §1 Thes. A majority still hold to Paul’s authorship of 2 Thessalonians. Paul clarified his earlier teachings about Jesus' future return and rebukes the Christians who were disrupting the community. 2:3), see Isaiah: Background and exposition on §Isaiah 2:5-4:1. T… BACKGROUND. A. Thessalonica was a famous city in Paul’s day in the zenith of its splendor. INTRODUCTION. (1-2) Paul’s comfort to the troubled Thessalonians and their question. 4:13-18). Paul fled the city in the face of much opposition. Commentaries on 1/2 Thessalonians. Modern biblical scholarship is divided on whether the epistle was written by Paul; Most New Testament scholars believe Paul wrote this epistle but some modern scholars reject its authenticity based on what they see as differences in style and theology between this and the Fi… 2 Thessalonians 1:10 King James Version (KJV). Download 2 Thessalonians 3:6 ASV computer desktop wallpapers with Bible verses and share with your friends and family on Instagram or any social media platform. 1820 Jet Stream Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921 • 719.488.9200Terms of Use | Privacy Policy, The Book of the Twelve or the Minor Prophets, Biblica – The International Bible Society, By Giving Bibles to Ellis Island Immigrants, They Altered the Course of History, How Being a Dad Helped Me Understand God the Father’s Love, This Physician’s Testimony is Pointing People to Christ, Thanksgiving for Their Faith, Love and Perseverance (, Intercession for Their Spiritual Progress (, Thanksgiving for Their Election and Calling (Their Position) (, Prayer for Their Service and Testimony (Their Practice) (, Charge to Discipline the Disorderly and Lazy (, Conclusion, Final Greetings and Benediction (. In the Roman Empire, it became the capital of the province of Macedonia and its largest city with 200,000 people. Paul probably penned it (see 1:1; 3:17) c. a.d. 51 or 52 in Corinth, after Silas and Timothy had returned from delivering 1 Thessalonians (see chart, p. 2261; see also Introduction to 1 Thessalonians). They thought it had come already so they stopped with … Paul exhorts the church to “warn” those dodging their obligation to work (1 Thess. H. In post-apostolic times, the Gospel made rapid progress in Thessalonica. 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Situated on the Thermic Gulf, a natural harbor. The Man of Lawlessness - Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask … to give proper criteria to recognize that day. The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians, commonly referred to as Second Thessalonians or 2 Thessalonians is a book from the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Like 1 Thessalonians, this letter deals extensively with eschatology (see Introduction to 1 Thessalonians: Theme). HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO MINISTRY AT THESSALONICA. The situation in the church seems to have been much the same. 1:10; see 2 Thes. Apocalyptic in style of writing, 2:1-12, 3. 6. I. Thessalonica is the city of Salonica today (or Thessaloniki), J. τ. B. Paul came to minister in Thessalonica for three successive and successful weeks. Some have suggested that Paul penned this letter from Ephesus (Acts 18:18–21), but his 18 month stay in Corinth provided ample time both for the Thessalonian epistles to be authored (Acts 18:11). It is thought that there are differences in the vocabulary (ten words not used elsewhere), in the style (it is said to be unexpectedly formal) and in the eschatology (the doctrine of the “man of lawlessness” is not taught elsewhere). © 2011-2021 Biblica. He probably wrote in a.d. 49–51 from Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1–18). A list of the best commentaries on 1/2 Thessalonians ranked by scholars, journal reviews, and site users. V. THEME — corrections about the Day of the Lord (2:2), 1. From the Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Introduction to 2 Thessalonians AUTHOR: The apostle Paul, joined in his salutation by Silvanus and Timothy (), and with a reference to his own signature at the end of the epistle ().Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to Paul include: Clement of Alexandria (200 A.D.), Tertullian (200 A.D.), and Irenaeus (200 A.D.). λ. The background of this clause would seem to lie in some communication that the Thessalonians had sent to Paul subsequently from receiving the elaborate praise in the first epistle. 2:1-3). Harbor and the Egnatian Way were crucial to spreading Christianity to all the world. John MacArthur - Background and Setting - For the history of Thessalonica, see Introduction to 1 Thessalonians: Background and Setting. Within a short time of sending off 1 Thessalonians, Paul received news that certain Christians in the Thessalonian church had misunderstood parts of the letter. 1 Thessalonians concerns itself with the dead while 2nd Thessalonians … 2 Thessalonians 3:6 ASV Desktop Background Pictures Christian Desktop Wallpapers with inspirational Bible quotes on beautiful images and backgrounds. It is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle, with Timothy as a co-author. VIII. Further, there is some urgency in the writing (cf. Tone to more formal and rigid than 1st Thessalonians. not to be quickly shaken in your mind, and not be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter … The words of 2 Thessalonians 3:10 are critical. D. 100 miles south-west of Philippi and more important than Philippi. It follows the form of a first century CE Greek letter, with a greeting, a body, and a concluding formula. “If anyone is not will­ing to work, neither should he eat.” God regards shirking work as a grave offense, so grave that the church is called to correct its idle members. II Thessalonians 2:1-3 “Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. If our historical reconstruction is correct (see below), we believe that Paul periodically sent friend… Authorship Along with 1 Thessalonians, the early church unanimously attributes 2 Thessalonians to the apostle Paul. Despite intense persecution, Paul encourages them to show victory over the world by imitating Jesus' non-violent and patient endurance. In καὶ ὑπεραιρόμενος κ. Turn of events from 1st Thessalonians from a dynamic outreach church to a church turned inward. 1 Thessalonians emphasizes the Day of Christ (rapture) while 2nd Thessalonians emphasizes the Day of the Lord. Purpose of Writing: The church in Thessalonica still had some misconceptions about the Day of the Lord. 2 Thessalonians. Paul’s authorship of 2 Thessalonians has been questioned more often than that of 1 Thessalonians, in spite of the fact that it has more support from early Christian writers. Paul, Silas and Timothy wrote this letter soon after the firstletter. Inasmuch as the situation in the Thessalonian church has not changed substantially, Paul’s purpose in writing is very much the same as in his first letter to them. Date of Writing: The Book of 2 Thessalonians was likely written in AD 51-52. It must certainly be dated very shortly after 1 Thessalonians, for the content and style are so similar. For more information on the background of 2 Thessalonians, see the background information provided for 1 Thessalonians as well as Paul’s Second Missionary Journey. Introduction to NIV Study Bible | Go to 2 Thessalonians. F. Large share in the commerce of the Aegean. 1 Thessalonians concerns itself with the dead while 2nd Thessalonians concerns itself with the living. Its GENUINENESS is attested by POLYCARP [Epistle to the Philippians, 11], who alludes to 2 Thessalonians 3:15 JUSTIN MARTYR [Dialogue with Trypho, p. 193.32], alludes to 2 Thessalonians 2:3 [Against Heresies, 7.2] quotes 2 Thessalonians 2:8 CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA [Miscellanies, 1.5, p. 554; The Instructor, 1.17], quotes 2 Thessalonians 3:2 TERTULLIAN [On the … Used with Permission. 2 Thessalonians 2 NIV - The Man of Lawlessness - Concerning the - Bible Gateway. A. Paul received the Macedonian vision at Troy to go to Europe, Acts 16:8-14. Background – Setting: For the history of Thessalonica (see introduction to 1 Thessalonians). You can find the best commentary on 1/2 Thessalonians for you using the tools on the right side. They had received further news about the Thessalonians while they werestill in *Corinth city. Going to Thessalonica transferred the ministry of the Gospel to Western civilization. Author: 2 Thessalonians 1:1 indicates that the Book of 2 Thessalonians was written by the apostle Paul, probably along with Silas and Timothy. Paul and his friends wrote them between AD 50 andAD 53. As one would expect, 1 & 2 Thessalonians is broken up into two major sections, 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians. Population in first century: about 200,000, E. To discipline the disorderly (3:14-15), Designed by Elegant Themes 5. Adds to the prophetic truths of 1 Thessalonians. The Jews accused Paul’s evangelistic team of “turning the world upside down.”. Paul wrote this letter to the church in Thessalonica. However, 1:9–10; Ac 17:4 seem to indicate that the church was largely Gentile in membership. Silas was commissioned to Antioch after the Jerusalem Council and joined Paul’s missionary team when a sharp disagreement caused Barnabas to … From Luke’s account in Acts, the trio were ministry partners during Paul’s second missionary journey. The background of the Thessalonian church is found in Ac 17:1–9. Since Paul began his ministry there in the Jewish synagogue, it is reasonable to assume that the new church included some Jews. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. This letter to the apostle Paul of theletters of Paul that we have so they stopped …! Paul received the Macedonian vision at Troy to Go to Europe, Acts 16:8-14 Ac 17:4 seem to indicate the... And exposition on §Isaiah 2:5-4:1 not long after the firstletter ministry there in the commerce of the church largely. Indicate that the church dodging their obligation to work ( 1 Thess into two major,. 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