3:11) that the Thessalonian church had accepted the strange claim that “the day of the Lord has come” ().Paul sent them a second letter in a.d. 49–51. Are Christians seen as a outsider or do they fit in just like everyone else. 2 Thessalonians Summary by Jay Smith. Theme verse of 1 Thessalonians “Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. D. Exegetical Highlights in 1 Thessalonians 1:1-4:12 . The global message of Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians is that amid suffering, believers must remember the sovereign grace that has rescued them in Jesus Christ. Who Are the Seven Angels in Revelation 8:2? He was probably in Corinth at the time. Important as this theme is, however, the Thessalonian letters leave the reader wide-awake to the responsibilities of the present, not gazing into the future. 6. When comparing 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians, I see a difference in purpose rather than a difference in tone. 1. 4. I accept the traditional order of the letters' writing. Select The Chapter you want. 1:4), he is describing an experience familiar to many Christians around the world today. 6. He urges them to “lead a quiet life” and “work with [their] hands” (1 Th 4:11). Skim the book and state its theme. If the Greco-Roman culture emphasized the pursuit of honor and avoidance of shame as you state above, I can understand especially why they would be living in fear of the Lords return with words of heresy floating around their church. 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. In what did Paul glory – 1:4? Relate it to 1 Thessalonians. 5. The situation in Thessalonica has changed since Paul wrote his first letter to the church. Paul is pleased that they are steadfast as they endure persecution (1:4). Different from the lively, sometimes abrupt argument of Paul's letters, 2 Thessalonians appears as a didactic compositiion with a narrowly limited theme. (Think: In what sense is it proper to glory in people?) Every one of us owes our very lives to God. As we strive to live more like Christ we may feel as outsiders or not apart of the “in” crowd, but we should know that it is all worth it in the end. Authorship. Genesis 3 accurately reports a lie. 5. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17. Indeed, prophecy properly handled is an aspect of truth that is vital for spiritual stability and proper living as is evident by the way Paul used prophetic themes throughout his epistles. ( Log Out /  The letter’s main theme is Jesus’ second coming. We therefore have “eternal comfort and good hope through grace” (2 Thess. 2 Thessalonians Summary by Jay Smith. Practical Application: The Book of 2 Thessalonians is filled with information that explains the end times. The third chapter of 2 Thessalonians contains many exhortations but the central theme is that of working diligently for the Lord. It also exhorts us not to be idle and to work for what we have. One of the themes of 2 Thessalonians that the apostle Paul discusses is the fact that Christians will not only suffer for the namesake of Christ, but we must not waver or be shaken in our faith when we are presented with the trials and challenges that come with being a believer. We still do not know everything to this day! It must certainly be dated very shortly after 1 Thessalonians, for the content and style are so similar. Everything in 2 Thessalonians contributes to these twin themes of endurance through suffering and the eternal scope of divine grace. Both epistles aim to establish and strengthen a young church in a stormy setting (1 Thess 3:2,13; 2 Thess 2:17; 3:3). 1:4–5; note also Acts 17:1–9). He writes (1) to encourage persecuted believers , (2) to correct a misunderstanding concerning the Lord’s return and (3) to exhort the Thessalonians to be steadfast and to work for a living (2:13—3:15). That’s how John Byron describes this oft overlooked Pauline letter in his new 1 & 2 Thessalonians commentary in the groundbreaking Story of God Commentary series. This relates to the modern world in numerous instances. Someone placed Paul's signature on a phony letter, and sent it to the church at Thessalonica. This theory makes sense due to inductive reasoning but what about the fact that the people of Thessalonica was confused about why they were suffering. Theme. Another theme of this second letter of Paul’s is to not let anyone one deceive us or lease us astray in our walk and faith. In the midst of battles for human rights, the sanctity of life, human dignity, and for ending the many deplorable modern-day forms of slavery, we press on with hope. Why are Dan and Ephraim Missing in Revelation 7? THESSALONIANS-2 THEME: Living in Hope. Paul n'avait donc pas à leur donner de nouvelles explications, mais il leur montre quelles conséquences aura cette apparition du Fils de l'homme (Luc 12 : 39) pour les incrédules. Much of the Greco-Roman world was motivated by pursuit of honor and avoiding shame. May 19, 2017 May 19, 2017 by holyone. I accept the traditional order of the letters' writing. He taught them much concerning things to come. However, we must be willing to understand as Christians and wrap our head around the concept of having hope through suffering. As was true of 1 Thessalonians, the second coming of Christ is of particular importance in 2 Thessalonians. Compare/Contrast popular philosophy and theme of imitation (e.g., 2:3, 4, 5, 6) 4. 2Th 2:1-3). At the very least, we can honor Him by living righteously and rightly. They are engaged in serious spiritual warfare, so they ought to “stand firm and hold fast to the teachings” Paul had already passed on to them (2:15). Where else has he discussed their faith and love? 80). Paul asks for the Thessalonians to pray for him and his companions, so that God's word will spread quickly. An individual in this day in age may come across a lot of man made things that try to stray them away from the truth of the Christ. His most recent book is Galatians: Freedom through God’s Grace (Wipf & Stock, 2019). He has Masters degrees in Biblical Exposition and Old Testament from Talbot School of Theology (BIOLA) and a PhD in New Testament from Andrews University. All of this affects the way believers live in the present. It is also tough to say that suffering would mean that it is the return because of Satan’s work. 7. Everything in 2 Thessalonians contributes to these twin themes of endurance through suffering and the eternal scope of divine grace. Again Paul is lifting his readers’ eyes to the future horizon when their present suffering will come to an end. 2:16). Community. Paul wrote this letter to reemphasize the coming return of Jesus Christ. D. Theme. I can imagine them being confused as they are working to honor the Lord but are still being shamed via persecution. ), is a book from the New Testament of the Holy Bible. https://www.insight.org/.../the-pauline-epistles/second-thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 3:3 . Who is the Fallen Star in Revelation 9:1? It is interesting to hear about why the Thessalonians might have been fearing the wrath of God as a result of their persecution. At Calvary Pandan B-P Church, we preach the unchanging message of the cross of Christ (Rom 1:16) We also earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the … Not in chronological order but descending in length starting with the longest letter of Romans to the shortest being Philemon (Long). He has summoned us to himself through the gospel, leading us ultimately into the very glory of Jesus himself (2:14). While some scholars believe that 2 Thessalonians was the first of the two letters written, there just isn't enough evidence to come to any firm conclusion. 2 Thessalonians discusses persecution, the return of Jesus, our need to remain hopeful and faithful, and idleness. Nor should the Christian think they are dishonored because they are being persecuted. How about this: the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write a letter to respond to a false letter that claimed the end times of already begun. 2 Thessalonians 2:17 . Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1989. 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