Aug 11, 2017 this article is part of the why study the book. D what length of time had passed between the writing of the two. The book of 2 thessalonians was written shortly after the book of 1 thessalonians, probably within a few months. Nine of these book are letters to local churches like the one in thessalonica. It is our sincere desire that this outline of 2 thessalonians will assist you in your investigation of gods holy word his personal letter to you. It is traditionally attributed to paul the apostle, with timothy as a coauthor. Because of scholars disagreements about how to relate this book to 1 thessalonians, 2 thessalonians belongs among the disputed letters attributed to paul. The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle, and is addressed to the church in thessalonica, in modernday greece.
Paul established the congregation at thessalonica during his 2nd missionary journey, and remained there for about a month. The book of 1 thessalonians was written in approximately a. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica, he preached in a jewish synagogue on three successive sabbath days. In acts, luke recorded that paul preached for three sabbath days to the jews in the. Paul wishes to correct false teaching that the thessalonians are presently in the day of the lord 2. It is helpful to trace the locations of paul and his companions that relate to the thessalonian correspondence. The situation in the church seems to have been much the same.
Listen to chuck swindoll s overview of second thessalonians in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. Who wrote the book of 2 thessalonians in the bible. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the lord may have free course, and be. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international. Letters of paul to the thessalonians bible britannica. Because of its similarity to 1 thessalonians, it must have been written not long after the first letter perhaps about six months. Summary two letters that paul wrote to the church in thessalonica are. While there he spoke in the synagogue, persuading some jews and even more godfearing gentiles that jesus was the promised messiah. When timothy returned to paul with the good news that the members of the church.
Pauls authorship of 2 thessalonians has been questioned more often than that of 1 thessalonians, in spite of the fact that it. Because of its similarity to 1 thessalonians, it must have been written not long after the first letterperhaps about six months. Book of second thessalonians overview insight for living. Who is the son of perdition and the man of sin, sitting in the temple of god, claiming to be god. Pauls 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. Intro to 2 thessalonians biblica the international bible. Choose from 500 different sets of study bible 2 thessalonians flashcards on quizlet. Interesting facts about 2 thessalonians bible charts. In acts, luke recorded that paul preached for three sabbath days to the jews in the local synagogue acts 17. Authorship of 2 thessalonians reasons for doubting pauline authorship some scholars think it odd that paul would repeat so much of what he said in 1 thessalonians in a second letter written to the same people a few months later.
A majority still hold to pauls authorship of 2 thessalonians. Silvanus silas, and timothy, pauls colaborers in founding the church, were present with him when he wrote. Intro to 2 thessalonians biblica the international bible society. Who wrote the book of 2 thessalonians in the bible answers. They are included in the body of the text so the reader can see them as he reads the book without having to page over to a separate outline. D 51 or 52, paul addresses some misconceptions from his letter in i thessalonians. Learn study bible 2 thessalonians with free interactive flashcards. They reveal the apostle pauls heart and passion as he seeks to guide this congregation towards health and balance. The roman empire, and the ancient city of thessalonica, have been reduced to rubble. His aim for this letter was to strengthen the christian church in thessalonica by. This summary of the book of 2 thessalonians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 2 thessalonians. Over a quarter of 1 thessalonians and nearly half of 2 thessalonians deal with problems and issues regarding the parousia or coming of christ from heaven. Listen to chuck swindoll s overview of first thessalonians in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. Since the subject matter of the second letter has a number of thematic similarities to the first, paul probably had received a second report from the city detailing continuing questions or problems regarding the end times.
Letters of paul to the thessalonians, two new testament letters written by paul. In 1 and 2 thessalonians youll learn important truths about christs coming specifically regarding the rapture and the antichrist. Paul wrote 2 thessalonians from corinth in ad 51 within months of writing the first letter. Objections are based on internal factors rather than on the adequacy of the statements of the church fathers. Just because paul visited a city, preached the gospel for weeks or even months, and founded a church by guiding converts to the faith, this did not protect the new church from scheming heretics. May 11, 2014 what significance does pauls prophetic writing have for us today. Most scholars agree that 1 corinthians is a response to a previous exchange between paul and the corinthians. In the church of thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of christ. The same three, paul, silvanus, and timothy sent the letter. To follow up his previous letter 1 thessalonians by instructing the thessalonians further about the return of christ and the importance of responsible daily living. The church in thessalonica still had some misconceptions about the day of the lord. The headings and subheadings make up an outline of the book. Here is my full discussion in that context of the authorship of 2 thessalonians. It is likely the first of pauls letters, probably written.
This represents the apostle pauls second canonical correspondence to the fellowship of believers in the city of thessalonica compare 1. 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. Intro to 2 thessalonians biblica the international. Another possibility, although supported by just a small number of interpreters, is that 2 thessalonians was actually written prior to 1 thessalonians. Clicking on a chapter will show you the text of that chapter of 2 thessalonians in the bible king james version. Modern biblical scholarship is divided on whether the epistle was written by paul.
Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living. The first letter 1 thessalonians was written to a community of believers who had been christians for only a short period of time, probably no more than a few months. Just because paul visited a city, preached the gospel for weeks or even months. In his second epistle to the thessalonians, paul wrote words of counsel and clarification to members. It is probably one of his earliestknown letters, and one of the oldest books in the new testament. For those who believe that paul wrote 2 thessalonians, the letter was written near the end of pauls life, reflecting a more developed and thoughtful view of the end times.
There are actually lots of reasons, as i will show in subsequent posts, but for now im simply giving my discussion as found in my trade book forged, written for a nonscholarly audience. It was likely written from corinth where paul stayed for about 18months in the middle of the second missionary journey. If paul were the author, the books would have had to be written just a few months apart. There are a number of helpful commentaries on the thessalonian epistles. Overview of the book of 2 thessalonians reformed answers to. Although 2 thessalonians is a relatively short letter, about onethird. This will happen when the lord jesus is revealed from heaven in. This summary of the book of 1 thessalonians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 1 thessalonians. Second thessalonians seeks to correct an erroneous rumor that the day of the lord had arrived by providing a chronology, which is. This narrative recounts pauls work in the city of thessalonica during his second missionary journey. Summary of the book of 2 thessalonians story of the bible.
Paul, as in 1 thessalonians, identified himself twice as the author of this letter 1. After paul started the church in thessalonica, he wrote this first letter to the believers there within just a few months of leaving. It was probably written about 1year after 1st thessalonians had been written also by paul, also from corinth. In contrast to the undisputed pauline letters, 2 thessalonians lacks antithetical formulations, passages in the style of the diatribe, and with the exception of 2 thess. Modern biblical scholarship is divided on whether the epistle was written by. The traditional view of the origin of this book, is that shortly after paul wrote i thes. He saw the need to do a follow up letter to correct false doctrines about the day of the lord as some had thought it had already occurred. The global message of pauls second letter to the thessalonians is that amid suffering, believers must remember the sovereign grace that has rescued them in jesus christ.
Different from the lively, sometimes abrupt argument of pauls letters, 2 thessalonians appears as a didactic compositiion with a narrowly limited theme. Paul uses two words in 2 thessalonians that are not to be found anywhere else in the new testament. Second thessalonians is the ninth of pauls letters. The first epistle to the thessalonians, or 1 thessalonians, is a pauline epistle written by the apostle paul, probably between 5254 a. Book of second thessalonians overview insight for living ministries. Everything in 2 thessalonians contributes to these twin themes of endurance through suffering and the eternal scope of divine grace. Since 1 thessalonians was written, some false doctrine had been taught in thessalonica. The first epistle to the thessalonians, commonly referred to as first thessalonians or 1 thessalonians, is a pauline epistle of the new testament of the christian bible. Far and away the largest theological contribution of both 1 and 2 thessalonians lies in what they say about eschatology. Though only three chapters in length, almost of the book repeats what is said in 1 thessalonians. The book of 2 thessalonians was likely written in ad 5152. In the greek new testament, 2 thessalonians is listed as to the thessalonians.
As in 1 thessalonians, the author thanks god that the thessalonian christians continue to grow in faith and love, in spite of the difficulties and suffering they are going through. When the believers leave the earth in the rapture, all who remain will. In like manner, they suggest 2 thessalonians was the first letter, addressing issues in the church, and 1 thessalonians was the more joyfilled letter, written after those issues had been resolved. From where and when did paul write 2nd thessalonians. Jun 02, 2017 what is the purpose of the book of 2 thessalonians. Headings throughout the following book of 2 thessalonians. What is the purpose of the book of 2 thessalonians.
It was not long after paul had written his first letter to the church in thessalonica that he realized he needed to write another letter to clarify exactly when they. The historical context of pauls epistles to the thessalonians is found in acts 17. These are all of the chapters of the book of 2 thessalonians. Two thousand years have passed since paul penned 12 thessalonians. The author lets them know that they continue to be an example for other churches. Paul wrote 1 thessalonians and sent it to the church.
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