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. Harbor and the Egnatian Way were crucial to spreading Christianity to all the world. He probably wrote in a.d. 49–51 from Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1–18). 5. However, 1:9–10; Ac 17:4 seem to indicate that the church was largely Gentile in membership. A. Thessalonica was a famous city in Paul’s day in the zenith of its splendor. The Jews accused Paul’s evangelistic team of “turning the world upside down.”. H. In post-apostolic times, the Gospel made rapid progress in Thessalonica. Christ would "appear from heaven" preceding that day—an event separate from the Rapture (see exposition on §1 Thes. The background of the Thessalonian church is found in Ac 17:1–9. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO MINISTRY AT THESSALONICA. Population in first century: about 200,000, E. To discipline the disorderly (3:14-15), Designed by Elegant Themes This is the second of the four brief prayers which, as I pointed out in my last sermon, break the current of Paul’s teaching in this letter, and witness to the depth of his affection to his Thessalonian converts. “If anyone is not will­ing to work, neither should he eat.” God regards shirking work as a grave offense, so grave that the church is called to correct its idle members. 1 Thessalonians concerns itself with the dead while 2nd Thessalonians … Even so, Paul’s role was more apparent. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul addresses ongoing problems in the Church. I. Thessalonica is the city of Salonica today (or Thessaloniki), J. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: There’s no question that 2 Thessalonians is a letter. Tone to more formal and rigid than 1st Thessalonians. Macedonia was the former kingdom of Alexander the Great (he wanted one world domination and enlightenment with the culture of Greece. Its prosperity and cultural reputation attracted such figures as Paul the Apostle, Roman emperor Galerius… Used with Permission. It must certainly be dated very shortly after 1 Thessalonians, for the content and style are so similar. You can find the best commentary on 1/2 Thessalonians for you using the tools on the right side. he is further described as he who, in frivolous arrogance, exalts himself above all that is called God. 6. From Luke’s account in Acts, the trio were ministry partners during Paul’s second missionary journey. VIII. The date of this letter is related to its occasion. To combat this falling away Paul warns us to not let go of the foundational truth but hold onto it – “stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught whether by world or our epistle.” (2 Thessalonians 2… Paul exhorts the church to “warn” those dodging their obligation to work (1 Thess. to give proper criteria to recognize that day. The shortest epistle that Paul ever wrote to any church: 3 chapters, 47 verses and 1,042 words. Xerxes the Persian established his naval base at this bay when he invaded Europe. He therefore sent off the letter known to us as 2 Thessalonians. Commentaries on 1/2 Thessalonians. 2:3), see Isaiah: Background and exposition on §Isaiah 2:5-4:1. This was the beginning of spreading the Gospel from the continent of Asia to the continent of Europe. It follows the form of a first century CE Greek letter, with a greeting, a body, and a concluding formula. Situated on the Thermic Gulf, a natural harbor. T… Despite intense persecution, Paul encourages them to show victory over the world by imitating Jesus' non-violent and patient endurance. Purpose of Writing: The church in Thessalonica still had some misconceptions about the Day of the Lord. A majority still hold to Paul’s authorship of 2 Thessalonians. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Paul, Silas and Timothy wrote this letter soon after the firstletter. He writes (1) to encourage persecuted believers (1:4–10), (2) to correct a misunderstanding concerning the Lord’s return (2:1–12) and (3) to exhort the Thessalonians to be steadfast and to work for a living (2:13—3:15). Paul probably penned it (see 1:1; 3:17) c. a.d. 51 or 52 in Corinth, after Silas and Timothy had returned from delivering 1 Thessalonians (see chart, p. 2261; see also Introduction to 1 Thessalonians). 2:1-3). 1:10; see 2 Thes. 1 Thessalonians deals with Christ’s coming for the saints in the air while 2 Thessalonians deals with Christ’s coming to the earth with the saints. 1 Thessalonians concerns itself with the dead while 2nd Thessalonians concerns itself with the living. John MacArthur - Background and Setting - For the history of Thessalonica, see Introduction to 1 Thessalonians: Background and Setting. Some have suggested that Paul penned this letter from Ephesus (Acts 18:18–21), but his 18 month stay in Corinth provided ample time both for the Thessalonian epistles to be authored (Acts 18:11). BACKGROUND. Further, there is some urgency in the writing (cf. 1 Thessalonians presents the coming of Christ while 2nd Thessalonians sets for the coming of the Antichrist. A. Paul received the Macedonian vision at Troy to go to Europe, Acts 16:8-14. However, such arguments have not convinced current interpreters. Paul fled the city in the face of much opposition. The words of 2 Thessalonians 3:10 are critical. II Thessalonians 2:1-3 “Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. If our historical reconstruction is correct (see below), we believe that Paul periodically sent friend… Background – Setting: For the history of Thessalonica (see introduction to 1 Thessalonians). Some have suggested that Paul penned this letter from Ephesus (Acts 18:18-21), but his eighteenth month stay in Corinth provided ample time for both of the Thessalonian epistles to be authored (Acts 18:11). This Antichrist is not the devil himself (Pelagius and others), for he is distinguished from him (2 Thessalonians 2:9); but according to 2 Thessalonians 2:9 he is an instrument of the devil. He wanted to marry east and west.). Going to Thessalonica transferred the ministry of the Gospel to Western civilization. 2 Thessalonians EVERLASTING CONSOLATION AND GOOD HOPE 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17. Inasmuch as the situation in the Thessalonian church has not changed substantially, Paul’s purpose in writing is very much the same as in his first letter to them. Since Paul began his ministry there in the Jewish synagogue, it is reasonable to assume that the new church included some Jews. 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. τ. These two letters to the Thessalonians may be the earliest of theletters of Paul that we have. Turn of events from 1st Thessalonians from a dynamic outreach church to a church turned inward. (1-2) Paul’s comfort to the troubled Thessalonians and their question. In fact, in 2 Thessalonians 18 out of 47 verses deal with this subject. B. Paul came to minister in Thessalonica for three successive and successful weeks. Date of Writing: The Book of 2 Thessalonians was likely written in AD 51-52. F. Large share in the commerce of the Aegean. Each major section has the same four-fold outline: (1) Text (Greek text, genre, outline), (2) Background and Situation, (3) Themes and Interpretation, and (4) History of Interpretation. Thessalonica was originally an ancient town named Thermai, meaning “Hot Springs.”. 7. As one would expect, 1 & 2 Thessalonians is broken up into two major sections, 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians. Its GENUINENESS is attested by POLYCARP [Epistle to the Philippians, 11], who alludes to 2 Thessalonians 3:15 JUSTIN MARTYR [Dialogue with Trypho, p. 193.32], alludes to 2 Thessalonians 2:3 [Against Heresies, 7.2] quotes 2 Thessalonians 2:8 CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA [Miscellanies, 1.5, p. 554; The Instructor, 1.17], quotes 2 Thessalonians 3:2 TERTULLIAN [On the … They had received further news about the Thessalonians while they werestill in *Corinth city. which he had spoken in 1 Thessalonians (see Background). Objections are based on internal factors rather than on the adequacy of the statements of the church fathers. Made capital of the Roman province of Macedon, the city flourished due to its location on the major trade route to the east and continued to thrive as one of the most important cities in the Byzantine Empire. 4:13-18). A list of the best commentaries on 1/2 Thessalonians ranked by scholars, journal reviews, and site users. The Man of Lawlessness - Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask … Download 2 Thessalonians 3:6 ASV computer desktop wallpapers with Bible verses and share with your friends and family on Instagram or any social media platform. C. The principal people in the church at Thessalonica were Gentiles (1:9; Ac 17:4). It is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle, with Timothy as a co-author. It follows the form of a first century CE Greek letter, with a greeting, a body, and a concluding formula. Apocalyptic in style of writing, 2:1-12, 3. For more information on the background of 2 Thessalonians, see the background information provided for 1 Thessalonians as well as Paul’s Second Missionary Journey. INTRODUCTION. Concerning the day of the Lord (also called "that day," 2 Thes. Authorship Along with 1 Thessalonians, the early church unanimously attributes 2 Thessalonians to the apostle Paul. Objections are based on internal factors rather than on the adequacy of the statements of the church fathers. λ. The Egnatian Way went west to Rome and east to Asia. Now, brethren, concerning … 2 Thessalonians 1:10 King James Version (KJV). Introduction to 2 Thessalonians AUTHOR: The apostle Paul, joined in his salutation by Silvanus and Timothy (), and with a reference to his own signature at the end of the epistle ().Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to Paul include: Clement of Alexandria (200 A.D.), Tertullian (200 A.D.), and Irenaeus (200 A.D.). Adds to the prophetic truths of 1 Thessalonians. The situation in the church seems to have been much the same. Paul wrote this letter to the church in Thessalonica. V. THEME — corrections about the Day of the Lord (2:2), 1. Because of its similarity to 1 Thessalonians, it must have been written not long after the first letter—perhaps about six months. 1820 Jet Stream Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921 • 719.488.9200Terms of Use | Privacy Policy, The Book of the Twelve or the Minor Prophets, Biblica – The International Bible Society, By Giving Bibles to Ellis Island Immigrants, They Altered the Course of History, How Being a Dad Helped Me Understand God the Father’s Love, This Physician’s Testimony is Pointing People to Christ, Thanksgiving for Their Faith, Love and Perseverance (, Intercession for Their Spiritual Progress (, Thanksgiving for Their Election and Calling (Their Position) (, Prayer for Their Service and Testimony (Their Practice) (, Charge to Discipline the Disorderly and Lazy (, Conclusion, Final Greetings and Benediction (. Silas was commissioned to Antioch after the Jerusalem Council and joined Paul’s missionary team when a sharp disagreement caused Barnabas to … Paul clarified his earlier teachings about Jesus' future return and rebukes the Christians who were disrupting the community. From the Zondervan NIV Study Bible. In time it became an important city because of its strategic location near the Aegean Sea. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 ASV Desktop Background Pictures Christian Desktop Wallpapers with inspirational Bible quotes on beautiful images and backgrounds. © Zondervan. Thessalonica (also Thessalonike) was an ancient city of Macedon in northern Greece which today is the city of Thessaloniki. not to be quickly shaken in your mind, and not be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter … Modern biblical scholarship is divided on whether the epistle was written by Paul; Most New Testament scholars believe Paul wrote this epistle but some modern scholars reject its authenticity based on what they see as differences in style and theology between this and the Fi… Introduction to NIV Study Bible | Go to 2 Thessalonians. 2 Thessalonians 1 1 - Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 - Grace to you and … In καὶ ὑπεραιρόμενος κ. It is thought that there are differences in the vocabulary (ten words not used elsewhere), in the style (it is said to be unexpectedly formal) and in the eschatology (the doctrine of the “man of lawlessness” is not taught elsewhere). We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth … Within a short time of sending off 1 Thessalonians, Paul received news that certain Christians in the Thessalonian church had misunderstood parts of the letter. In the Roman Empire, it became the capital of the province of Macedonia and its largest city with 200,000 people. | Powered by WordPress, 1 Thessalonians deals with Christ’s coming for the saints in the, This was the beginning of spreading the Gospel from the continent of Asia to the continent of, Going to Thessalonica transferred the ministry of the Gospel to, The Jews accused Paul’s evangelistic team of “, Grant's Verse-by-Verse Logos Bible Software. 1 Thessalonians emphasizes the Day of Christ (rapture) while 2nd Thessalonians emphasizes the Day of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians emphasizes the Day of Christ (rapture) while 2nd Thessalonians emphasizes the Day of the Lord. They thought it had come already so they stopped with … The background of this clause would seem to lie in some communication that the Thessalonians had sent to Paul subsequently from receiving the elaborate praise in the first epistle. Historical Background. Paul’s 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. It was one of the world’s greatest dockyards of Roman times. Paul and his friends wrote them between AD 50 andAD 53. 2 Thessalonians. Like 1 Thessalonians, this letter deals extensively with eschatology (see Introduction to 1 Thessalonians: Theme). 2 Thessalonians 2 NIV - The Man of Lawlessness - Concerning the - Bible Gateway. Paul’s 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. 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