The New Testament Book of 2nd Thessalonians

2nd Thessalonians Overall Theme

The theme of the second coming of Jesus dominates 2nd Thessalonians just as it dominated 1st Thessalonians. Jesus’ coming will be preceded by an “apostasy” (or rebellion) and by the revelation of the man of lawlessness, the Antichrist. When Jesus comes, he will defeat this rebellious world ruler and bring justice to oppressed Christians, and wrath to their persecutors and to unbelievers in general.

Paul wrote 2nd Thessalonians 

• (1) to reassure those terrified by the thought that the day of the Lord had come, 
• (2) to strengthen the Thessalonians in the face of unremitting persecution, and 
• (3) to deal with the problem of some of the church members refusing to earn their own living. (Who possibly were practicing a common 1st Century Roman "Patron-Client Relationship" called Patronage.)

In contrast to the warm and effusive tone of 1st Thessalonians, 2nd Thessalonians includes some blunt commands as Paul addresses bad behavior and bad thinking. Further, this letter is noteworthy for the author’s tough-mindedness in predicting judgment on the ungodly and rebuking church members who behave and think incorrectly. Still, there is a regular swing back and forth between reproof and warm encouragement.