Page 96 - Advanced New Testament Survey Student Textbook

2 Thessalonians: A Call to Live in the Present

Background

Author
Internal evidence shows that Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy are the authors of 2 Thessalonians, the
same were the authors of 1 Thessalonians (2 Thess. 1:1; 3:17; 1 Thess. 1:1), Silvanus and Timothy were
writing under Paul’s instructions. However, there is a modern debate about its authorship. This debate
focuses much on the style and vocabulary differences with Paul’s other letters. The suggestion that its
theology is more developed than this period of early Christianity, and the close parallels with 1
Thessalonians. This leads to the theory that an author other than Paul drew upon the material of 1
Thessalonians to compose 2 Thessalonians. However, it could be that Paul felt like he needed to
emphasize the same matters twice, had a large vocabulary, used a different scribe, and that early
Christian theology was more developed than is often theorized. In addition, 2 Thessalonians was
unanimously accepted by the early church fathers as by Paul’s.
Recipients, Provenance, and Date

Christians in Thessalonica were the original recipients of the book of (2The. 1:1). Here scholar say that,
“This letter does not provide as many clues about the date and place of its writing as 1 Thessalonians
(which was sent from Corinth around AD 50–51).” 136 However, they conclude that “Since the two letters
cover many of the same issues, 2 Thessalonians was likely written soon after 1 Thessalonians (2 Thess.
2:15) near the end of Paul’s second missionary journey (circa AD 49–51).” 137

Occasion

Apparently, several factors addressed in 1 Thessalonians had intensified, these include: persecution,
uncertainty about Christ’s return, and idleness in the church (2 Thess. 1:5–6; 1 Thess. 1:6; 2:14; 3:3–4).
Although Paul taught with clarity, some people in the community were apparently saying that “the Day
of the Lord had already come” (2 Thess. 2:1–2; compare 1 Thess. 5:1–11). On top of that, some of the
Thessalonian Christians apparently had decided that they did not need to work for a living (2 Thess.
3:10–12; compare 1 Thess. 4:11–12; 5:14).

Themes

In 2 Thessalonians, the main issue is that “God is just and faithful.” By those two attributes of God, we
are guaranteed that our present and future are safe in His hands. The Thessalonians, in their current
persecutions, can stand on the faithfulness of God in preserving them (3:3), and on His justice in judging
those who persecute them (1:5–10).

Paul’s message to both the Thessalonians, and us, is to stay faithful in all we do. He encourages us to
work hard, mainly for God’s purposes (2:13–17; 3:6–9). Far and beyond our hard work Paul admonishes
us to use our influence to exhort others to do the same. Honestly, this kind of undertaking, may affect
our relationships as we make difficult decisions (3:10–15).

136 Barry, J. D., et al
137 Ibid

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