Well, you had an extra week to think about Colossians when WordPress decided one of my plug-ins was not playing nicely with the other program elements. We apologize for the oops.
Get Ready
The first letter to the Thessalonian church is the other contender – with Galatians – for the earliest writing in the New Testament. It is testimony to the completeness of Paul’s understanding of the Gospel and its application to the life of believers.
Author
The Apostle Paul is the author of both letters to the church in Thessalonica, although he includes Silvanus and Timothy in both greetings.
Some Biblical scholars do suggest a different author for the second letter because of the more formal tone of the letter and the different treatment of Jesus’ second coming (the Greek word is “Parousia”). However, the letters do not contradict each other and also are consistent with the theology and Gospel as expressed in Paul’s other letters. And Paul “signed” the second letter. (The so-called differences are discussed below in “Major Themes.”)
Context
Paul started the Thessalonian church during his second missionary journey (around 50 CE.), following his usual pattern of preaching initially in the Jewish synagogue and then moving to a public forum to reach the Gentiles. But some of the Jews incited a mob to attack the new believers and forced Paul and his companions to leave the city abruptly [details are in Acts 17].
Paul was concerned that the new Christians did not have sufficient instruction and preparation to withstand the inevitable persecution from the Jews. The first letter is most likely Paul’s response to Timothy’s report that the believers were remaining strong but had questions about some of the things Paul had taught them.
Evidently the first letter did not quell all the concerns. The Thessalonians believed Christ was going to return so soon there was little point in continuing to work. In the second letter Paul deals with the misunderstandings regarding Jesus’ return and how believers should conduct themselves.
NOTE: Paul, like most other early church leaders, believed that Christ’s return would happen sooner rather than later – probably during his lifetime.
Structure
Both letters have a similar organization:
- Paul begins with a greeting and thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ faith.
- He then presents the teaching. In each case the major teaching is about Christ’s return; however, Paul also includes instruction about the Christian life in both letters.
- Each letter includes encouragement for the believers to live out their faith.
- Paul concludes each letter with a prayer and final greeting before a benediction.
In the first letter Paul also explains his preaching style and justifies his actions regarding the Thessalonians, and he tells them what has happened since his abrupt departure.
Major Themes
The Gospel is the central theme of both letters: You turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming, [1 Thes 1:9-10].
Evidently the new believers had problems with the “wait for his Son from heaven,” part. Both letters include major sections dealing with “eschatology,” (the study of the end times). Paul discusses two different aspects of Jesus’ return:
- Suddenness – the Second Coming will be dramatic and all-at-once: For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, [1 Thes 4:16]. Further, The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night, [1 Thes 5:2]. Paul also assures the believers that those who have already died will also join with Christ when he returns.
- Timing – Paul’s teaching convinced some Thessalonians that Jesus’ return was going to be so soon there was no need to work or share the Gospel. Paul explains: that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction, [2 These2:3]. Paul links the “lawless one” with Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders, and every kind of wicked deception, [2 Thes 2:9-10].
Paul also deals with a secondary question about the Christian life in each letter:
- In the first letter he tells the believers to abstain from fornication; that each one of you know how to control your own body in holiness and honor, [1 Thes 4:4].
- In the second letter he directs them to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition they received from us, and says Christians should do their work quietly and earn their own living . . . do not be weary in doing what is right, [2 Thes 3:6, 13].
Get into the Word
1. Who wrote theses letters? Who else was involved with this church? Why do some believe someone else may have written the second letter? What is the evidence that Paul actually wrote it?
2. When did Paul begin preaching in Thessalonica? Who did he talk with first? Who did he work with next? How did the Jews respond to the new Christians? How did this affect Paul and his co-workers?
3. How did Paul’s departure affect the new church? What were Paul’ concerns about the new believers? How did he deal with his concerns? How were the Thessalonians actually doing?
4. Did Paul’s efforts solve the problems for the Thessalonians? What was the major problem with their understanding of the Gospel? How did this affect their daily life?
5. How are the letters organized? What are the primary components of each letter? How are the letters different from one another? What does Paul say about his recent experiences?
6. What is Paul’s major theme in these letters? How does he describe the change in the Thessalonians? What elements of the Gospel does he mention?
7. What part of Paul’s teaching did the new Christians not understand? Why do you suppose they had a problem with this doctrine? What does Paul focus on in his response to the Thessalonians’ concerns? What images does he use to convey the correct understanding?
8. How does Paul deal with the question of when Jesus will return? What will happen before “The day of the Lord?” Who is the “Lawless One” according to Paul?
9. What other issues does Paul cover in these two letters? Why do you suppose he deals with these concerns? What does he advise the Thessalonians about these questions?
NOTE: Eschatology . . .
refers to “the last things” or “the end times.” In addition to Paul’s teachings to the Thessalonians, the New Testament includes Jesus’ teachings [Matt 12:28, Mark 9:1 and 14:25, Luke 17:20] plus the comments of Paul [1 Cor 10:11 and 1 Cor 15: 20 and 45, and Rom 8:11] and other Apostles [1 Peter 1:20, 1 John 2:18, Hebrews 1:2, 12:2].
71: Christ’s return – 1 Thes 4:13-5:11 and
2 Thes 2:1-12
Get Ready
How good are you at waiting for something you expect to happen? Do you just go about your regular activities and not worry about it? Do you get concerned that you might not be ready for it and try to prepare for it? Do you check for signs it might be happening soon?
The Word
413 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. 15 For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
5Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! 4 But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; 5 for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. 6 So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; 7 for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night.
8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
9 For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
2 Thessalonians
2As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you? 6 And you know what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed when his time comes. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who now restrains it is removed. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders, 10 and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, leading them to believe what is false, 12 so that all who have not believed the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned. NRSV
Get into the Word
1. How does Paul begin this section of his letter? What is the concern here? What is the basis for his answer? Who is the authority behind his response? What will happen when Christ returns? Who will be involved?
2. What is Paul’s next topic? What do his readers already know about this issue? What images does Paul use here? What is the difference between believers and pagans regarding this concern?
3. How does Paul encourage the believers? What does he urge them to do? What image does he use to make his point? What is the ultimate fate of believers?
4. How does Paul start his second response to this issue? What concerns him about the Thessalonians’ beliefs? What does he say about Christ’s return here? What will occur before. Who will appear?
5. How does Paul describe this person? What will happen to this person? What will happen to those who follow him? Who is behind these events?
Get Personal
What do you think about Christ’s return? How has God helped you understand his promises? How has he guided your walk with Jesus during this time “in between”?
Notes . . .
4:13. Uninformed — Some Thessalonians evidently were concerned about the fate of believers who had died.
Who have no hope — non-believers grieve when a person dies, but Christians have hope because of Christ’s resurrection and promised return [v. 14].
4:15. This we declare — Paul’s understanding is that those believers who have died and those alive at the time of Christ’s return will “meet with the Lord in the air, so we will be with the Lord for ever,” [4:17].
By the word of the Lord — Paul maintained that he received the Gospel directly from Christ on the road to Damascus; he did not receive it from the other Apostles [Gal 1:11-17].
4:16. The Lord himself — Jesus also gave a similar description of his return: They will see “the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven” with power and with great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other, [Matt 24:30-31].
5:1. Times and seasons . . . day of the Lord — the Old Testament has several references to the “day of the Lord,” or end times; but there is no specific date or
time for this period or event [you can check Isaiah 13:6-12, Joel 2:28-32, or Zeph 1:14-18].
5:2. Thief in the night — Jesus also used this image [Matt 24:43], as did Peter [2 Peter 3:10].
5:5. Children of light — Paul assures his readers that they have the knowledge they need to not be surprised.
5:8. Breastplate . . . helmet — Paul often used images of a soldier’s protective armor [check Rom 13:12, Eph 6:10-18, and 1 Tim 6:12].
5:9. Destined — Paul repeats the hope that Christians have – “salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2:2. Shaken in mind — some of the Thessalonian Christians were accepting the erroneous teaching that the “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” had already started, which was contrary to Paul’s teaching about Christ’s return.
2:3. Rebellion . . . lawless one — Paul assures them that certain events will take place before the end times. Jesus gives a similar description of these events in Mark 13.
2:9. Satan — in Greek this title means “adversary” or “deceiver.” Paul is using the latter meaning here: “every kind of wicked deception.”
Memory Verse
God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, [1 Thessalonians 5:9].
Next Lesson
Timothy: A good minister.
