Author

The apostle Paul, along with his traveling companions, Silvanus and Timothy, the same authors who wrote First Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:18), also wrote Second Thessalonians (1:1). Silvanus is Silas of the book of Acts, who replaced Barnabas as Paul's fellow laborer on the apostle's second preaching trip to the Gentiles (Acts 15:35-40). In this letter, to protect against forgers, Paul calls attention to the fact that his salutation in his own handwriting attests the genuineness of each of his epistles (3:17).

To Whom Written

This letter is also addressed to "the church of the Thessalonians" (1:1)

When and Where Written

Timothy and Silvanus are still Paul's companions, just as they were when First Thessalonians was written. The condition of the church is the same (cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-9 with 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 and 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 with 2 Thessalonians 3:11). Probably Second Thessalonians was also written for Corinth a few months after 1 Thessalonians, ca. A.D. 51.

Occasion and Purpose

Paul seemed to have received news of persecution the Thessalonians were patiently enduring (1:3-4), of a false doctrine that had been taught there on pretension of divine revelation that Christ was to return very soon (2:1-2), and of some who were being idle busy bodies in anticipation of the Lord's immediate return (3:11). He wrote to encourage them to be patient in tribulation by promising them Christ would repay their tormentors (1:3-12), to correct their false hopes of Christ's immediate return by prophesying a great apostasy would come before the Lord appears (2:1-12), and to command the idle to work and mind their own business and the church to withdraw from those who would not (3:6-15).

Theme

The theme of Second Thessalonians is The Second Coming of Christ.

Outline

A. Introduction - 1:1-2
B. Comfort in Affliction - 1:3-12
C. The Coming of the Lord - 2:1-12
D. Exhortations - 2:17-3:15
E. Conclusion - 3:16-18