2 Thessalonians Introduction - A Study Guide by Mark A. Copeland

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                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

                              Introduction

AUTHOR:  The apostle Paul, joined in his salutation by Silvanus and
Timothy (1:1), and with a reference to his own signature at the end of
the epistle (3:17).  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.).

THE CITY OF THESSALONICA:  It was the capital and largest city of the
Roman province of Macedonia.  Located on the Egnatian Way, a major road
from Rome to the eastern provinces, the city served as center of trade
and commerce.  Today, it is known as Thessaloniki, or Salonica.

THE CHURCH AT THESSALONICA:  The establishment of the church is 
recorded in Ac 17:1-9.  On his second missionary journey, Paul and his
companions (Silas and Timothy) had just left Philippi and passed
through Amphipolis and Apollonia to arrive at Thessalonica.  As was his
custom, Paul immediately located the synagogue and reasoned with the
Jews for three Sabbaths concerning Jesus Christ.  While some of them
were persuaded, including a great number of devout Greeks and leading
women, the unbelieving Jews became jealous and created an uproar in the
city.  Therefore it became necessary to send Paul and Silas away
secretly by night to Berea.

Despite such ominous beginnings, a strong church was established in
Thessalonica (cf. 1:2-10).  Mostly Gentile (cf. 1:9), its members
included Jason (Ac 17:9), Aristarchus, and Secundus (Ac 20:4).  It had
already been the recipient of an earlier letter (First Thessalonians).

TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING:  Second Thessalonians appears to have been
written just a few months, possibly a year, after First Thessalonians.
This would place the writing of the epistle during Paul's extended stay
at Corinth on his second missionary journey (cf. Ac 18:1-11), sometime 
around 53 A.D.

PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE:  The first epistle to the Thessalonians had 
been written in response to news brought back by Timothy who had made a
quick trip there while Paul was in Athens (cf. 1Th 3:1-3,6).
Encouraged by their steadfastness in the face of persecution, Paul had
exhorted them to holiness in view of the Lord's coming (cf. 1Th 
3:12-13; 5:23).

From the second letter, it appears that they remained strong in the 
Lord despite persecution (cf. 1:3-4).  But it is apparent from this
letter that misunderstanding about the Lord's coming was present in the
church.  Some of the members were being troubled by false reports (cf.
2:1-2); others had stopped working, perhaps assuming that the Lord's 
imminent return meant one did not need to work anymore (cf. 3:11-12).

Paul's purpose in writing this epistle, therefore, is three-fold:

   * To encourage them in their steadfastness under persecution

   * To correct their misunderstanding about the imminence of the 
     Lord's return

   * To instruct the congregation on what disciplinary action to take
     toward those who refused to work

THEME OF THE EPISTLE:  In correcting their misunderstanding about the
return of Christ, Paul explains that the Lord will not come right away
(cf. 2:1-3).  Therefore they need to continue with steadfastness and
patience for which they had been commended.  A suggested theme of this
epistle might therefore be:

         "STEADFASTNESS WHILE WAITING FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST"

KEY VERSES:  2 Thessalonians 2:15-17

   "Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you
   were taught, whether by word or our epistle.  Now may our Lord Jesus
   Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given
   us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your
   hearts and establish you in every good word and work."

OUTLINE:

INTRODUCTION (1:1-2)
   1. Salutation (1)
   2. Greetings (2)

I. ENCOURAGEMENT IN PERSECUTIONS (1:3-12)

   A. THANKFUL FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL GROWTH (1:3-4)
      1. Thanking God for their growing faith and abounding love (1:3)
      2. Boasting to others of their patience and faith in all their
         persecutions (1:4)

   B. ENCOURAGEMENT IN TRIALS IN VIEW OF THE LORD'S RETURN (1:5-10)
      1. Suffering will make them worthy of the kingdom of God (1:5)
      2. God will repay those who trouble them (1:6)
      3. This will occur when Jesus is revealed from heaven (1:7-10)
         
   C. HIS PRAYER FOR THEM (1:11-12)
      1. That God would count them worthy of their calling (1:11a)
      2. That God would fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness
         and the work of faith with power (1:11b)
      3. That the name of Jesus might be glorified in them, and they in
         Him, according to the grace of God and Christ (1:12)

II. ENLIGHTENMENT ABOUT THE COMING OF THE LORD (2:1-17)

   A. DO NOT BE TROUBLED (2:1-2)
      1. Concerning the coming of the Lord and our gathering to Him
         (2:1)
      2. By false reports, as though the day had come (2:2)

   B. THE APOSTASY MUST COME FIRST (2:3-12)
      1. A falling away must occur, and the man of sin revealed (2:3-5)
      2. The man of sin is being restrained, though the mystery of
         lawlessness is already at work (2:6-7)
      3. When the lawless one is revealed, the Lord will destroy him 
         with His coming (2:8)
      4. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of
         Satan, and will mislead those who do not have a love for the 
         truth (2:9-12)

   C. STEADFASTNESS ENCOURAGED (2:13-17)
      1. Thankful to God for their election through sanctification by
         the Spirit and belief in truth, having been called by the 
         gospel to obtain glory (2:13-14)
      2. A call to stand fast and hold to the traditions taught by word
         or epistle (2:15)
      3. Prayer for their comfort and establishment in every good word
         and work (2:16-17)

III. EXHORTATIONS TO CHRISTIAN LIVING (3:1-15)

   A. A REQUEST FOR PRAYER, AND A PRAYER FOR THEM (3:1-5)
      1. Asking them to pray that the word of the Lord might have free
         course, and he be delivered from evil men (1-2)
      2. Expressions of confidence in the Lord, and in their obedience
         (3-4)
      3. Praying that the Lord will direct their hearts into the love 
         of God and patience of Christ (3:5)

   B. A CHARGE TO DISCIPLINE THE DISORDERLY (3:6-15)
      1. To withdraw from those who do not follow apostolic tradition
         and example (3:6-9)
      2. Especially those who will not work (3:10-12)
      3. Don't grow weary in doing good, and avoid those who do not 
         obey the words of the epistle (3:13-15)

CONCLUDING REMARKS (3:16-18)
   1. A prayer that the Lord bless them with His peace and presence
      (3:16)
   2. A confirmation of his authorship of this epistle (3:17)
   3. A benediction of grace from the Lord Jesus Christ (3:18)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION

1) On which missionary journey was the church at Thessalonica 
   established?
   - Paul's second missionary journey

2) Where can we read about the establishment of the church at 
   Thessalonica?
   - Ac 17:1-9

3) What two letters were written to this congregation?
   - 1st and 2nd Thessalonians

4) From where and when did Paul write 2nd Thessalonians?
   - From Corinth, sometime around 53 A.D.

5) What length of time had passed between the writing of the two 
   epistles?
   - A few months, maybe a year

6) Why did Paul write 2nd Thessalonians (see Purpose Of The Epistle)?
   - To encourage them in their steadfastness under persecution
   - To correct their misunderstanding about the imminence of the 
     Lord's return
   - To instruct the congregation on what disciplinary action to take 
     toward those who refused to work

7) What has been suggested as the theme of this epistle?
   - Steadfastness while waiting for the coming of Christ

8) What are the key verses of this epistle?
   - 2Th 2:15-17

9) According to the outline above, what are the three main sections of
   this epistle?
   - Encouragement in persecutions (chapter 1)
   - Enlightenment about the coming of the Lord (chapter 2)
   - Exhortations to Christian living (chapter 3)
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