Sunday

Reading through the Bible - 2 THESSALONIANS










Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.








2nd Thessalonians  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLE

14th book of the NT 
53rd book of the Bible



It starts with a greeting of grace and peace from God in chapter 1 verses 1&2

"Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
           To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:  
Grace to you and peace from God our Father 
and the Lord Jesus Christ."



and immediately reassures the believers of the prayers and thanks made to God about them in the third verse of the first chapter because of their faith and Love


"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, 
as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, 
and the love of every one of you all 
abounds toward each other,"






What is it?

The Book of 2nd Thessalonians is one of the EPISTLES in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.



How Long is it?

It has 3 chapters.



When was it Written?

It was written about 51-52 AD






Who Wrote it?

The Apostle Paul

The first verse tells us the author and the names of two others who were with him at the time.

"Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
           To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:"




Who was it Written to?

It was written to the believers living in Thessalonica in Macedonia (which is now northern Greece)




What is it normally well-known for?

As being one of the places in the bible to find info on the second coming.





Why was it Written? 

It was written to encourage the Thessalonian Christians as they lived through persecution and kept faithful.






It was also to encourage them about the return of Christ in ch. 1 v 7-10  and reinforce the fact that while others were promoting the view that this event had already taken place they must not believe this false doctrine.







The Overview Bible  tells us the following


Quick outline of 2 Thessalonians

  1. How persecution of the church ends (2 Thess 1)
  2. What must happen before Jesus returns (2 Thess 2)
  3. How to live and work together (2 Thess 3)



Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"In an effort to clear up a misunderstanding that Jesus will be returning immediately or had already returned, Paul explains that the church members should be steadfast in their holiness so that they will be ready when Jesus does come.

In chapters 2-3 of this short book, he gives details about Jesus' second coming, including information about the Antichrist, whom he says will come first."





Which other Epistles speak of the second coming of Christ?

Romans
1st Corinthians
1st Thessalonians
2nd Peter
Jude

see 





Which other books of the Bible is this linked to? 

Paul wrote 2 epistles to the Thessalonians so this one is preceded by







How does it end?


With the famous admonition in ch. 3 v 13

 


 


and as usual in Paul's epistles we also have the final blessing centred here around peace


chapter 3 v 16









OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE