Once the text of 2 Thessalonians has been studied and analysed, we are in a position to accurately summarise the entire letter. There are four key aspects to the summary:
- The occasion that gave rise to the letter.
- The purpose for which the letter was written.
- The main point of the letter.
- An outline that summarizes the content of the letter.
Depending on the letter, determining the occasion, purpose, and main point of the letter may be difficult. However, if one takes time to dwell on the letter as a whole and how each section is connected, the occasion, purpose, and main point should become clear. Further, it is quite possible that the occasion, purpose, and main point are closely related, but this is not always so. Feel free to click on the hyperlinks (above) to the section you most desire to read.
The Occassion that Gave Rise to the Writing of 2 Thessalonians
The occasion that gave rise to the writing of 2 Thessalonians was the fear that Jesus had returned and had not gathered the Thessalonian Christians to himself, meaning that they were not saved (2:1–3).
The clue to discerning the occasion of the letter is found in 2:1. Immediately after the apostles’ lengthy introduction (1:1–12), the apostles begin the body of the letter with “Now concerning” (some versions translate, “now regarding” or something similar). The phrase “now concerning” (δὲ . . . ὑπέρ) flags the main topic of the letter and the reason for writing. This is similar to Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians where he writes to address various issues about which the church wrote him. In 1 Corinthians, Paul flags each new topic with “Now concerning,” but uses περί instead of ὑπέρ for “concerning” (the two prepositions περί and ὑπέρ have semantic overlap; they are being used the same way in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 and 1 Corinthians 7:1, 25; 8:1; 12:1).
Because of the presence of “Now concerning” (δὲ . . . ὑπέρ), we are able to discern that the main topic of the letter is “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him” (2 Thess 2:1). The occasion of the letter is found in the reason that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy need to write to the Thessalonians about the return of Jesus and the saints’ being gathered together to him. The answer to that question is found in 2:2–3. The Thessalonians had succumbed to false teaching that said Jesus had already returned. The Thessalonians’ belief that Jesus had returned and not gathered them to himself resulted in their becoming deeply distressed and troubled in mind. Why would they be distressed? Because those who are not gathered to Jesus when he returns will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction (2 Thess 1:9–10). Thus, the occasion that gave rise to the writing of 2 Thessalonians was the fear that Jesus had returned and not gathered the Thessalonian Christians to himself (2:1–3): “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way.”
One may think that the occasion may also be the lazy and mooching ways of some of the Thessalonian Christians (3:6–13), but this is an outworking of the Thessalonians’ belief that Jesus had already returned. It is not the main issue that gave rise to the writing of the letter. The poor behaviour of some of the Thessalonians is easily corrected by the apostles once they have corrected their erroneous eschatology.
The Purpose for Which 2 Thessalonians was Written
If the occasion that gave rise to the writing of 2 Thessalonians was the fear that Jesus had returned and had not gathered the Thessalonian Christians to himself, meaning they were not saved, then the purpose of the letter is to address that specific erroneous belief that Jesus had returned, which it does at great length in 2:1–12, and so bring peace back to the Thessalonians. It should be noted, however, that the apostles also address two important implications of holding to that erroneous belief: not being saved (1:3–12; 2:13–17) and not living rightly as a disciple of Jesus (3:1–15).
Thus, the purpose 2 Thessalonians could be put as such: 2 Thessalonians was written for the purpose of assuring the Thessalonian church that Jesus has not returned and, thus, that they are saved and should live as those who are saved.
Since the issue of Jesus’ return surrounds salvation, the purpose could also be stated as such: 2 Thessalonians was written for the purpose of assuring the Thessalonians that they are saved and to encourage them to live rightly in light of that salvation. We could, of course, be more specific. 2 Thessalonians was written for the purpose of assuring the Thessalonians that they are saved by proving their persecution makes them worthy of the Kingdom of God (1:3–12), by proving Jesus has not returned (2:1–12), and by proving their salvation is based on the work of the Father, Son, and Spirit (2:13–17), and to encourage them to live rightly in light of that salvation by working to support themselves (3:1–15).
The Main Point of 2 Thessalonians
The main point of 2 Thessalonians is: you are saved, so live like it. The main point is derived from the purpose of the letter, which was to assure the Thessalonians of their salvation and, thus, quell the Thessalonians’ fears of missing Jesus’ return and, thus, not being his disciples (i.e., saved).
As mentioned above, everything in the letter supports the reality that these Christians are indeed Jesus’ disciples (i.e., saved) and that they should live their lives in light of that reality. Chapters 1–2 focus on proving to the Thessalonians that they are saved by addressing persecution (1:3–12), the return of Jesus (2:1–12), and the role of the Godhead in salvation (2:13–17). Chapter 3 urges the Thessalonians to live as Jesus’ disciples now in light of their salvation; the connection between salvation and conduct is made primarily in 2:14–15, but continued in 2:16–17 and 3:1–5 until the command on how to live is made explicit in 3:6–15 when the apostles address the laziness of some Thessalonians that was brought on by their erroneous belief that they missed the return of Jesus, are therefore not his disciples, and are therefore awaiting eternal destruction (1:8–10).
If one wished to be more specific, the main point could be worded as follows: Jesus has not returned, you are his disciples, so live like his disciples by working to support yourself and not mooching off others.
An Outline of 2 Thessalonians
The following is my own outline of 2 Thessalonians. It is based on my own study of the letter, which can be found (in part) in the articles on biblicalculture.com. For a more detailed outline of each passage, see the article on that particular passage on biblicalculture.com.
I. Letter Introduction (1:1–2)
II. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy Give Thanks to God for the Thessalonians (1:3–10)
A. Because it is the right thing to do (v 3)
B. Because the Thessalonians’ faith and love are increasing in the midst of
persecution (vv 3–4)
1. Persecution makes the Thessalonians worthy of the Kingdom of God (v 5)
2. Persecution justifies God afflicting the persecutors when Jesus returns
(vv 6–10)
3. Persecution justifies God granting relief to the persecuted when Jesus
returns (vv 6–10)
III. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy Pray (1:11–12)
A. That God would consider the Thessalonians worthy of being called into the
Kingdom of God (v 11)
B. That God would fulfill every resolve of the Thessalonians for good by his
power (vv 11–12)
C. That God would fulfill every work of faith done by the Thessalonians by his
power (vv 11–12)
IV. The Day of the Lord (Jesus’ Return) Has Not Come (2:1–12)
A. So do not be shaken in mind or alarmed (v 2)
B. Because the Rebellion has not come (v 3a)
C. Because the Man of Lawlessness has not come (vv 3b–12)
V. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy Give Thanks to God for the Thessalonians (2:13–15)
A. Because God chose the Thessalonians for salvation (v 13)
B. Because God called the Thessalonians to obtain the glory of Jesus (v 14)
1. Therefore, the Thessalonians must stand firm (v 15)
2. Therefore, the Thessalonians must hold fast to the traditions (v 15)
VI. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy Pray that God and Jesus Would Encourage and Establish the
Hearts of the Thessalonians in Every Good Work and Word (2:16–17)
VII. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy Request Prayer from the Thessalonians (3:1–2)
A. That the Word of the Lord spread quickly and is honoured (v 1)
B. That the apostles are delivered from wicked and evil people (v 2)
VIII. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy Pray the Lord Would Direct the Thessalonians’ Hearts
toward Loving God and Remaining Steadfast to Jesus (3:3–5)
IX. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy Give Instructions to the Church (3:6–15)
A. Disassociate from any believer who is not working to support
himself (vv 6–11, 14–15)
B. All Christians must work to support themselves (vv 12–13)
X. Letter Conclusion (3:16–18)
A. Prayer for Jesus to grant peace to the Thessalonians (v 16)
B. Sign of the letter’s genuineness (v 17)
C. Final benediction (v 18)