2 Thessalonians
Name and Canonical Status
The letter is designated “second” as it is the shorter of the two letters addressed to Christ- adherents resident in Thessalonica (for details see Introduction to 1 Thessalonians).
Authorship, Date, and History
The authorship of 2 Thessalonians has been disputed since the nineteenth century. Although attributed like 1 Thessalonians to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy (1.1), notable linguistic and stylist differences may indicate different writers. More significantly, the difficulty in reconciling the end-time (eschatological) scenarios laid out in 1 Thess 4.13–5.11 and 2 Thess 2.1–12 have caused many commentators to doubt they come from the same hand. Particularly troublesome is reconciling the insistence in 1 Thess 5.1–11 that there will be no signs preceding the return of Jesus with the affirmation in 2 Thess 2.1–12 that recognizable signs will take place first. In the annotations we assume that 2 Thessalonians dates after Paul's death but is written in his style to address the Christ-group in the city of Thessalonica that faces new issues not anticipated in the first letter.
If the letter was written by Paul and his companions then it probably dates to shortly after 1 Thessalonians in the early 50s ce. If pseudonymous, it is most likely a late first- to early second-century composition.
Literary History, Structure, and Contents
Despite controversy over authorship, the literary integrity of 2 Thessalonians has not been brought into question. It is shorter than most other Pauline letters and follows the Greco-Roman letter writing conventions: opening, thanksgiving, body, closing.
| 1.1–2 | Opening greeting |
| 1.3–12 | Thanksgiving for how the Thessalonians face adversity |
| 2.1–12 | Reassurances about the timing of Jesus's return |
| 2.13–17 | Second thanksgiving affirming God's faithfulness |
| 3.1–5 | Exhortation to prayer and steadfastness |
| 3.6–15 | Instruction concerning disorderly members |
| 3.16–18 | Closing greeting |
The inclusion of a second thanksgiving (2.13–17) is not typical of Greco-Roman letters generally, or any other New Testament letters, except 1 Thessalonians. In the latter, the content of the second thanksgiving (2.13–16) has caused some scholars to see it as a later interpolation (see Introduction to 1 Thessalonians). In the case of 2 Thessalonians, the content itself is unproblematic. Consequently, the presence of a second thanksgiving, along with other parallel features, may indicate that a later writer copied the structure of 1 Thessalonians. Alternatively, similarity in structure and parallel features may be a mark of shared authorship. Scholars remain divided on the question.
Interpretation
Second Thessalonians addresses community issues that have developed since the writing of 1 Thessalonians. Particularly problematic is the disruptiveness caused by some believers refusing to work and creating friction among members (3.6–16). Of more consequence, however, are claims that the day of the Lord has arrived, and that somehow the Thessalonians have missed the opportunity to be gathered with Jesus (2.1–2). Second Thessalonians asserts that the rumors are false, and exhorts the Thessalonians to stay the course in living out their faith commitments, even when they face opposition (1.4–6; 3.3–5).
Throughout the history of biblical interpretation the apocalyptic passages of 1 and 2 Thessalonians have been blended with passages taken from other Jewish and Christian apocalyptic texts (e.g., Dan; Mk 13; Rev) to create a single, unified narrative. Such impulses must be avoided. The scenario outlined in 2 Thessalonians is distinctive and much remains perplexing to modern readers, who no longer share the same cultural milieu.
Similarities to 1 Thessalonians, in structure and more importantly in content, include the positive emphasis on manual labor and a deep-seated concern among the recipients concerning the nature and timing of Jesus's return and the coming of God's wrath. Yet, significant differences are also striking, such as the nature and severity of the recipients’ suffering and especially the details of the eschatological scenario in each letter. In any case, whether by the hand of Paul or a later writer, 2 Thessalonians, like the first letter, is primarily concerned to reassure the believers in the steadfastness of their faith commitment to God (1.3–4,11–12; 2.15–17; 3.4–5).
Richard S. Ascough
1
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2Grace to you and peace from God oura Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters,b as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring.
5This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, and is intended to make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering. 6For it is indeed just of God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7and to give relief to the afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9These will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at on that day among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith, 12so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2
As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters,b2not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. 3Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless onea is revealed, the one destined for destruction.b 4He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. 5Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you? 6And you know what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed when his time comes. 7For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who now restrains it is removed. 8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesusc will destroyd with the breath of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming. 9The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders, 10and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, leading them to believe what is false, 12so that all who have not believed the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned.
13But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisterse beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruitsf for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news,g so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers and sisters,e stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.
16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, 17comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
3
Finally, brothers and sisters,e pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you, 2and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for not all have faith. 3But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.h 4And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command. 5May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
6Now we command you, beloved,a in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who areb living in idleness and not according to the tradition that theyc received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, 8and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. 9This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. 10For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. 11For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13Brothers and sisters,d do not be weary in doing what is right.
14Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed. 15Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers.e
16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.
17I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.f