Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians was written not long after his first one. It’s brief (47 verses) but has at least three objectives. The one that usually gets the most attention has to do with his desire to correct the mistaken view some had formed regarding the return of Jesus (2:1ff). Paul’s subsequent discussion and vivid depiction of the “man of lawlessness” who will “exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God” (2:4) sounds more like something out of Revelation than part of a brief, follow-up letter to an infant church. Add to that the fervency that seems to always buzz around anything having to do with the return of Jesus, and it’s not hard to account for why this part of the letter is well known.
The second purpose Paul had in writing is less theological and more biographical. He wanted to double back on some instructions from his first letter that certain of the Thessalonians had ignored resulting in a toxic situation. In the first letter he had encouraged them to “mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody” (4:11-12). For some, this hadn’t happened and they had become idle, disruptive, and not living according to the instruction they had been given (2 Thessalonians 3:6ff). The letter serves as Paul’s final warning to them as he tells the church, “Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer” (3:14-15).
Finally, interspersed throughout the letter are words of encouragement regarding their heroic living taking place in most of their lives despite “the persecutions and trials you are enduing” (1:3-4,11-12, 2:13-16, 3:4-5). While this purpose is less overt, it is more constant and doesn’t need to be overlooked or underappreciated. It ought to teach us that even when correcting false doctrine or dealing with behavioral issues, encouragement can always be found and offered.
Also worthy of note is Paul’s prayers for them (formal and informal). 2 Thessalonians is a praying letter. Prayer is an important part of the ministry of the word (see Acts 6:4) and there was no exception with Paul. Prayer activates and informs everything Paul has to say.
Outline
Chapter One
1. Greeting and thanksgiving (1:1-4)
2. Their persecution and God’s purposes (1:5-10)
3. Paul’s prayer for them (1:11-12)
Chapter Two
1. Clarification about the return of Christ (2:1-12)
2. Paul’s prayer for them (2:13-16)
Chapter Three
1. Other matters (3:1-5)
2. The idle problem (3:6-15)
3. Paul’s prayer for them (3:16-18)
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 