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 

Reading Through the Bible - 2 Peter

Reading Through the Bible - Jude

Reading Through the Bible - 1 Thessalonians  

Which other books of the Bible is this linked to? 

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

 1st Thessalonians

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 

Reading through The Bible - 1 Thessalonians

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

1st Thessalonians  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLE

13th book of the NT 

52nd book of the Bible

It starts with a greeting of grace and peace from God in chapter 1 verse 1

"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 second verse of the first chapter

What is it?

The Book of 1 Thessalonians is one of the EPISTLES in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.

How Long is it?

It has 5 chapters.

When was it Written?

It was written about 50 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:

Grace to you and peace from God our 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)

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

Paul had spent around 3 months in Thessalonica.

Later he wanted to check up on them so he sent Timothy to visit them and he came back with a good report so Paul wrote this as a letter of encouragement. 

 

 

What is it normally well-known for?

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

and 

encouragement for how to live in the will of God.

Why was it Written? 

It was written to commend the believers for their love as seen in

verse 12 of chapter 3

and to instruct them about the return of Christ in

verses 16-17 of chapter 4

and to have them continue to love, encourage and support each other in

verse 11 of chapter 5

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Paul has heard a good report on the church at Thessalonica, and encourages them to “excel still more” in faith, hope, and love."

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"Paul uses this book to encourage the church in their pursuit of holiness, diligence, love and hope.  He tells them to walk in the light and makes many mentions of the second coming."

Which other Epistles speak of the second coming of Christ?

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Thessalonians

2 Peter

Jude

see 

Reading Through the Bible - 2 Peter

Reading Through the Bible - Jude

Which other books of the Bible is this linked to? 

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

How does it end?

With the famous admonition in

 verses 16-18 of chapter 5

 

and as usual in Paul's epistles we also have the final greeting or blessing

verses 23 of chapter 5

The Overview Bible  gives us this

Quick outline of 1 Thessalonians

1. Commendation for faith, hope, and love (1Thes 1–3)
   • The Thessalonians’ example (1 Thes 1)
   • Paul’s history with them (1 Thes 2)
   • Timothy’s visit and report (1 Thes 3)
2. Challenge to grow in these areas even more (1Thes 4–5)
   • Love for others (1 Thes 4:1–12)
   • Hope for the Lord’s return (1 Thes 4:13–18)
   • Preparation for the Lord’s return (1 Thes 5)

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

Reading through The Bible - 2 Peter

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

2nd Peter  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLE

22nd book of the NT 

61st book of the Bible

It starts with a blessing centring around Grace & Peace

  in 2 Peter ch.1 v 2

and quickly takes us to consider more attributes in 

verses 5-7

What is it?

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

How Long is it?

It only has 3 chapters.

When was it Written?

It was written in 67 AD which was very shortly before Peter was killed.

Who Wrote it?

Simon Peter the disciple of Jesus

The name of the letter tells us the writer.

Other letters in the bible are named to show who the recipients of the letters were specifically intended to be but these were letters written by Simon Peter who we know as the Apostle Peter.

One of the three disciples who Jesus often took with him apart from the others. 

Who was it Written to?

It was a general letter written to the scattered believers not just those from one nation or city as we read in the very first verse

"To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:"

What is it normally well-known for?

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"The second epistle of Peter is a brief letter of reminders for first-century Christians. Peter urges his readers to make every effort to grow in their faith, to remember that the promises of God (spoken by the prophets and apostles) are trustworthy, and to beware those who teach otherwise."

   

verse 18  of chapter 3

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. "

verse 9  of chapter 3

 

verse 1 -2  of chapter 2

"1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."

Why was it Written? 

It was written to encourage and remind the believers of what they have in Jesus and to recognise false teachers.

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Peter writes a letter reminding Christians about the truth of Jesus, and warning them that false teachers will come."

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"Peter appears to have heard reports that false teachers had arisen in Asia Minor.  He wrote the book partly to encourage people from listening to them and also to continue encouraging them .... he talked about the Lord's return and how grand it would be if the people would hang in there."  

 

Which other Epistle teaches about the Lord's return?

2nd Thessalonians

Which other Epistle teaches about False Teachers?

Galatians

see Reading Through the Bible - Galatians 

Which other books of the Bible is this linked to? 

Peter wrote two epistles of which this is the second and follows 1st Peter 

How does it end?

With reminder of the character of Christians in

 chapter 3 v 11

 

 "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness"

and chapter 3 v 14

 "Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless"

and a final encouragement 

chapter 3 v 18 the final verse of the book

The Overview Bible  provides the following

Quick outline of 2 Peter

2 Peter displays some remarkable parallelism. 

Peter begins with a call to diligence in good works, reminds the reader that they can count on the prophets, and then warns that false prophets will arise. 

Peter then assures them that the old prophecies are true, and finishes with a call to be diligent and on guard.

1.    Remember to be diligent (2 Pet 1:1–15)

2.    True prophets and teachers (2 Pet 1:16–21)

3.    False prophets and teachers (2 Pet 2)

4.    Remember the true prophecies (2 Pet 3:1–13)

5.    Be diligent; be on guard (2 Pet 3:14–18)

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