II Thessalonians: Watching, Waiting, Working

Overview of II Thessalonians

  • Paul, Silas, and Timothy first went to the Macedonian port city of Thessalonica on the second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-14).
  • This was the second place the gospel was preached in Europe, Philippi being the first.
  • Because the preaching of the gospel depleted the ranks of the synagogue, the Jews charged Paul’s host Jason, with harboring traitors to Caesar.
  • The rulers of the city took Jason as security (like a peace bond) and let the missionaries leave the city.

When they arrived in Athens, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica (I Thess. 3:1-2, 5) to encourage the believers and then report back on the condition of the church there.

Timothy rejoined Paul in Corinth (3:6), where the two Thessalonian letters were written (A.D. 51). Some feel that Paul was in Thessalonica less than a month (only three Sabbaths are mentioned in Acts 17:2).

He must, however, have had an extended ministry outside the synagogue and the Jewish community, since the church was largely Gentile.

Key Verse

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,
17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
II Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NASB)

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Content Outline

The Message of II Thessalonians

“The seeds of false doctrine concerning the Lord had been sown, and the people’s behavior was disorderly.

So, Paul wrote to his beloved flock who were:

(1) discouraged by persecution and needed incentive to persevere;

(2) deceived by false teachers who confused them about the Lord’s return; and

(3) disobedient to divine commands, particularly by refusing to work.”
Dr. John MacArthur

“In I Thessalonians, Paul answered some questions about the Second Coming. But afterward, some unknown person, apparently pretending to be Paul, had written that the return of Christ had already occurred.

The Thessalonians were understandably confused, so Paul wrote II Thessalonians to clear up the issue. Paul’s teaching on the End Times should motivate us to be hopeful toward the future and diligent in the present.

The purpose of the teaching about the coming of Christ is not for our speculation but for our sanctification as we grow up in Christ.”
Dr. David Jeremiah

“First Thessalonians is a letter from a spiritual father to his children.

The second letter was written to correct certain wrong ideas—and wrong practices—relating to the doctrine of the Lord’s return.

Believers may disagree on some of the fine points of Bible prophecy, but we all believe that Jesus Christ is coming again to reward believers and judge the lost.

And we must all live in the light of His coming.”
Dr. Warren Wiersbe

“It would be a mistake, however, to understand Paul’s letter in terms merely of confronting the persecutors (chapter 1), contradicting the false teachers (chapter 2) and rebuking the idlers (chapter 3).

For he turns these negative situations to positive advantage. He focuses on the Parousia, when wrongs will be righted and Christ’s judgment and salvation will be fulfilled; on the Antichrist, called here ‘the man of lawlessness’ (2:3), whose appearing is anticipated  by ‘the secret power of lawlessness… already at work’ (2:7) and who will be decisively overthrown by Jesus Christ;

and meanwhile, before these two ‘comings’ or ‘appearings’ take place, on our Christian responsibility to live according to the teaching of Christ’s apostles, not least in relation to earning our own living.”
Dr. John R. W. Stott

“In 2 Thessalonians, Paul addresses ongoing problems in the Church. Despite intense persecution, Paul encourages them to show victory over the world by imitating Jesus’ non-violent and patient endurance.

While they also worried they had missed Jesus’ return, Paul clarifies that they should not fuel apocalyptic speculation but recall Jesus’ words in Mark 13 about the public and obvious events leading up to His return.

They should also remain faithful, hopeful, and confident and not fearful while waiting for Jesus’ return and deliverance from the evil ruler.

Throughout the book, we see that what we hope for shapes what we live for”
Bible Project

Timeline of II Thessalonians

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References

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