Introduction to the Book of 2 Thessalonians
(2 Thessalonians 1:1-5)

© 2006 Steve Lewis - contact@SpiritAndTruth.org

COURSE

Did Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians accomplish all he intended?

What worked?

What did not work?

When was this second letter written?

What had happened between these two letters to the Thessalonians?

  1. The persecution of the believers in Thessalonica had grown more intense, and it was bringing people to the point of despair. They needed to be encouraged (2 Th 1)
  2. A letter (supposedly from Paul) as well as false teaching from others claimed that the Tribulation had already come. This was inferred from the intensity of their present suffering (2 Th 2:2). They needed to be instructed (2 Th 2).
  3. A specific group of unruly believers in the church were still refusing to earn their normal livelihood, and this tendency had increased since Paul's first letter (2 Th 3:10-11). They needed to be corrected (2 Th 3).

Paul's opening address (2 Thess. 1:1-2)

Paul's obligation to give thanks to God for them (2 Thess. 1:3)

Paul speaks proudly about them to others (2 Thess. 1:4)

Worthiness for the "Kingdom of God" (2 Thess. 1:5)

Points of Application: