The Heart Of Paul’s Theology: Paul And The ThessaloniansSample

The Fourth Section: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3:15

The fourth section consists of a series of instructions, running from 2:1–3:15. This long section makes up the major portion of the letter. Paul’s instructions divide into three parts. First, in 2:1-17, Paul instructed them about Christ’s return. We will simply note that Paul denied that Christ had already returned. As he put it in 2:3:

That day will not come unless the rebellion occurs first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

Next, in 3:1-5, Paul asked the Thessalonians to pray for safety and success in ministry for him and his co-workers. Third, in 3:6-15, Paul issued a warning against irresponsibility, telling the Thessalonians to return to work and to earn their own livings. As he put it in 3:10: 

For even when we were with you, we commanded this of you: If someone does not want to work, he is not permitted to eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

As we can see, Paul’s two brief letters to the Thessalonians are similar in many ways. Both express his confidence and joy in this church, as well as his gratitude for their faithfulness in his absence. Yet, Paul also knew that serious problems had arisen during his absence, so he instructed the Thessalonians not just once, but at least twice, by writing these two letters. His chief concern was that they be faithful to Christ and to his teaching, living responsibly in their daily lives, and gaining a proper outlook on the Lord’s return. 

Up to this point we have explored the background of Paul’s letters to the church in Thessalonica and the basic content of these epistles. Now we are in a position to look at our third topic. How did these epistles reflect Paul’s central theological doctrine of the “latter days” — his eschatology?