This final volume in the successful catholic commentary on sacred scripture new testament series interprets first and second thessalonians from within the living tradition of the church. In his pastoral epistle paul is cheering them on in order to help them persevere 1. It was a great commercial center of pauls time, the inhabitants being greeks, romans and jews. Nathan eubank recovers interpretations of these pauline letters from the ancient and medieval church as he explores their historical and theological significance. Watch our overview video on 2 thessalonians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The book of 2 thessalonians was likely written in ad 5152. Now in verse, we come to the major problem this book addresses the misunderstanding about the coming of the lord.
The church suffering but serving 2 the bright future of the saved. His aim for this letter was to strengthen the christian church in thessalonica by. This represents the apostle pauls second canonical correspondence to the fellowship of believers in the city of thessalonica compare 1. The son of perdition or the lawless one, is revealed, also referenced in the gospel of john 17. The second epistle of paul the apostle to the thessalonians 2 thessalonians 1. Nine of these book are letters to local churches like the one in thessalonica.
This narrative recounts pauls work in the city of thessalonica during his second missionary journey. First and second thessalonians by nathan eubank, paperback. First epistle to thessalonians read the bible online. There was circulating in the thessalonian church a. Soon after leaving the area for the southern province of achaia, paul addresses the. The second epistle followed shortly after the first epistle in a. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of first thessalonians in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. There are a number of helpful commentaries on the thessalonian epistles. While there he spoke in the synagogue, persuading some jews and even more godfearing gentiles that jesus was the promised messiah. Paul needed to address the three troubles the church in thessalonica faced. The key personalities in this book are the apostle paul, silas, and timothy. Second thessalonians is the ninth of pauls letters.
Questions and answers on the book of second thessalonians. Summary of the book of 2 thessalonians story of the. It tells of many stories like noahs flood, the end of the first and second temple, the story of moses etc it also tells of what was going on with a specific people in, the book of thessalonians. People were satisfied with pauls explanation concerning those who died and were ready and willing to suffer persecution if need be in order to remain true to the gospel that paul preached. The study of first and second thessalonians the study of first and second thessalonians 2 timothy 3. Timothy and silassilvanus who were the apostles companions on his second missionary journey 51 to 54 ac were with him now also. This summary of the book of 1 thessalonians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 1 thessalonians. Since the subject matter of the second letter has a number of thematic similarities to the first, paul probably had received a second report from the city detailing continuing questions or problems regarding the end times. Expositions from the book of second thessalonians saint.
There were some false teachers who were seeking to convince the thessalonians that the reason for their persecutions and afflictions was because christ had already returned. In other words, 2 thessalonians is an excellent commentary on 1 thessalonians. A bible commentary for teaching and preaching gaventa, beverly roberts on. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the book of second thessalonians. 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. It is likely the first of pauls letters, probably written by the end of ad 52 however, some scholars believe. The first epistle to the thessalonians, commonly referred to as first thessalonians or 1 thessalonians, is a pauline epistle of the new testament of the christian bible. Thessalonica was a large and prosperous city in macedonia. It still exists under the name of saloniki, and has a population of from 75,000 to. 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.
The book of 1 thessalonians was written in approximately a. His first letter to them had given rise to further questions, and paul is attempting to answer them in his second letter. Upon receiving back news about the thessalonian church, paul wrote the second letter perhaps within a few months of the first one. Pauls authorship of 2 thessalonians has been questioned more often than that of 1 thessalonians, in spite of the fact that it. Pauls second epistle to the thessalonians is in one sense a followup to the first letter. The book of thessalonians points to a 70 ad second coming. The apostle paul identified himself twice as the author of this letter 1. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our lord jesus christ, in the sight of god and our father.
Modern biblical scholarship is divided on whether the epistle was written by paul. The second epistle to the thessalonians was written soon after the first. Second thessalonians was undoubtedly written to deal with the embarrassment resulting from pauls belief that jesus would return in his own lifetime, yet died disappointed. Biography of paul both the internal and external evidence points to paul writing this epistle. The book of second thessalonians kindle edition by. Thanksgiving and prayer we ought always to thank god for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. The first epistle to the thessalonians, or 1 thessalonians, is a pauline epistle written by the apostle paul, probably between 5254 a. People were satisfied with pauls explanation concerning those who died and were ready and willing to suffer persecution if need be in. Summary of the book of 2 thessalonians story of the bible. For every serious student of gods word, i recommend this book be read with a desire to understand the word of god more clearly. The christians in thessalonica were still baby christians when paul wrote 2 thessalonians. The first is seen as representing pauls earliest epistolary efforts and as providing two successive moments in his long relationship as advisor to that community.
The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle, and is addressed to the church in thessalonica, in modernday greece. Paul has heard reports of their growth and gives thanks for this 1. While it is true that silvanus and timothy are included in the salutation, and that paul does use the first person plural in the letter 1. The same three, paul, silvanus, and timothy sent the letter. Timothy and silassilvanus who were the apostles companions on his second missionary journey 51 to 54 ac were with him now. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Thessalonica was the second city in europe where paul taught and left a christian church.
The letters first and second thessalonians are traditionally associated with the pauline foundation of the macedonian church at thessalonica. These thessalonian christians had gotten the idea that when jesus christ returned to earth the second time to begin his millennial kingdom, those who were alive when he came back and they were expecting him within their. Written to the congregation in thessaloniki, greece on behalf of paul possibly in aramaic by either timothy or sylvanus between 52 and 54ce. Since the subject matter of the second letter has a number of thematic. In this second chapter of second thessalonians, paul was expressing concern that the thessalonians were being confronted with false teaching concerning the return of christ. The doctrine, style, and manner of thought are all pauline, and resemble 1st thessalonians. Grace and peace to you from god the father and the lord jesus christ. The book of second thessalonians dont let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. In the church of thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of christ. Nov 18, 2012 this is the holy book of 2 thessalonians, known as the second epistle of paul the apostle to the thessalonians.
Study guide on the book of second thessalonians, on line bible commentary for book of second thessalonians, niv commentary second thessalonians, free first. Second epistle to the thessalonians simple english. Internally, the vocabulary, style, and doctrinal content support the claims in 2 thessalonians 1. Study guide on the book of second thessalonians, on line bible commentary for book of second thessalonians, niv commentary second thessalonians, free first thessalonians commentary. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the lord, and from the glory of his power. This book is believed to a letter from the apostle paul to a church in thessalonica a part of ancient greece. In the greek new testament, 2 thessalonians is listed as to the thessalonians. In acts, luke recorded that paul preached for three sabbath days to the jews in the. Summary of the book of 1 thessalonians story of the. The recording is dramatized, from the king james bible. Summary of the book of 2 thessalonians bible survey.
The majority of the thessalonians were continuing to grow and to remain faithful to christ in spite of persecution. Pauline authorship is asserted in a customary manner at the opening of the epistle 2 thessalonians 1. This summary of the book of 2 thessalonians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 2 thessalonians. The letter is more focused on problems in the church and may reflect the receipt of later news from the thessalonians. Dec 22, 2011 he died and met god, and he wasnt ready. The book of 2nd thessalonians is a pauline epistle letter from paul. He will punish those who do not know god and do not obey the gospel of our lord jesus. Book of 2 thessalonians, explained scripture by scripture. The purpose of ii thessalonians was in part is to encourage the church due to persecutions. Both epistles deal with jesus second coming within the first century. Book of second thessalonians overview insight for living ministries.
Paul wrote this letter to reemphasize the coming return of jesus christ. This is the holy book of 2 thessalonians, known as the second epistle of paul the apostle to the thessalonians. Date both thessalonian epistles were written during pauls second missionary journey, thus making them among the earliest of the new testament. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living. Summary of the book of 1 thessalonians story of the bible. Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of god 1 thessalonians 4. Paul wrote 2 thessalonians from corinth in ad 51 within months of writing the first letter. It is probably one of his earliestknown letters, and one of the oldest books in the new testament. They thought it had come already so they stopped with their work. The second epistle to the thessalonians begins with almost the same wording as the first epistle. The church in thessalonica still had some misconceptions about the day of the lord.
It was founded by cassander, king of macedon 315 b. The historical context of pauls epistles to the thessalonians is found in acts 17. It says not to be troubled by a previous letter written as if by paul, whi. The bible book of second thessalonians 2001 translation.
The apostle was told that, from some expressions in his first letter, many expected the second coming of christ was at hand, and that the day of judgment would arrive in their time. After the first letter was sent, probably soon, some of the thessalonians were not sure that those who had died would share in the second coming. After paul started the church in thessalonica, he wrote this first letter to the believers there within just a few months of leaving. This summary of the book of 2 thessalonians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview. Paul, silas and timothy, to the church of the thessalonians in god our father and the lord jesus christ. The book of second thessalonians kindle edition by thompson, robert b.