Survey of 2 Thessalonians

•I. General information

New Testament Specific letters

• Romans through Hebrews

Author

• Paul as guided by the Holy Spirit

To Whom Written

• Church in Thessalonica• “Paul's interest and concern for the

new Christians at Thessalonica did not end with the dispatch of his first letter to them. Paul's life was one that showed continued prayer and labor for those he had won to Christ.”

Why it was written

• “2 Thessalonians was written to replace error with truth.• One of his main subjects is again

the proper understanding of the Lord’s 2nd coming.”

• To dispel false ideas about the second coming and to encourage them to be ready

• “I and II Thessalonians focus on the theme of Christ’s return with an emphasis on those early Christians, and to Christians of all ages, to live Christianity daily.” (W. Terry Varner)

Outstanding features of the book

• “2 Thessalonians is Paul’s shortest epistle to a congregation. NOTE: Philemon is shorter, but it is addressed to an individual.”

• Both letters were written during Paul’s 18 month stay in Corinth• The two-fold purpose of the

letter is (1) commendation and (2) correction

Brief outline

• I. The Certain Return and Judgment of Christ (1:1-12) • II. Events That Must Occur Before

Christ's Return (2:1-17) • III. Proper Conduct While

Awaiting Christ's Return (3:1-18)

•II. Chapter content outline

• Chap. 1 – Paul’s salutation and thanksgiving; Rewards at the Lord’s coming• Chap. 2 – The falling away and

the man of sin; A thanksgiving, exhortation, and a prayer

• Chap. 3 – A request for prayer and a statement of confidence; A command to withdraw and Paul’s closing words

•III. Key Verses

1:3-10 – The justice of God will prevail at the second coming

• 3] We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

• [4] So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

• [5] Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

• [6] Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

• [7] And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

• [8] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

• [9] Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

• [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.

2:2 Some were counterfeiting letters – like they had come from Paul

• [2] That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

2:3-12 - Things that must happen before the second coming of Christ• Man of sin son of perdition – one

who partakes of sin; he is sin personified• Mystery of iniquity (lawlessness) -The

development of the man of sin, the son of perdition •

2:13-14 – Chosen to salvation----Called by the gospel

• [13] But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:• [14] Whereunto he called you by our gospel,

to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3:6, 10 – Withdraw from the disorderly

• [6] Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

• [10] For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

3:13 - Don’t become weary in well doing

• [13] But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

Conclusion

• 2 Thess. 2:15• [15] Therefore, brethren, stand

fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.