The Gospel in 2 Thessalonians
This article is part of the Christ in All of Scripture series.
Until He Returns
Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians is a letter of comfort to those eagerly awaiting the promised return of Jesus Christ. Since receiving Paul’s first letter, the Thessalonians’ faith in Christ and their love for one another had continued to grow abundantly while they endured affliction for the sake of the gospel. Paul writes to encourage them to remain steadfast in their commitment to the gospel and the doctrine they had learned from the apostles. False prophets had been spreading rumors suggesting that the “day of the Lord” (2 Thess. 2:2; cf. 2 Thess. 1:10) had already come, and Paul writes to set the record straight by providing further details about the events surrounding the second coming of Christ.
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Paul also deals with misbehavior that has been a consequence of the Thessalonians’ misunderstanding. While awaiting the coming day of the Lord, some of the believers at Thessalonica had become unwilling to work. Paul urges the believers to continue to work and not to grow weary in doing good while waiting in hope for God’s impending vengeance against the wicked and his salvation of his chosen people. Just as God called us through the gospel, so he is faithful to his promise to guard us and establish us in every good work until Jesus returns.
This article is adapted from the ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible. Browse other articles in this series via the links below.
Old Testament
Genesis • Exodus • Leviticus • Numbers • Deuteronomy • Joshua • Judges • Ruth • 1–2 Samuel • 1–2 Kings • 1–2 Chronicles • Ezra • Nehemiah • Esther • Job • Psalms • Proverbs • Ecclesiastes • Song of Solomon • Isaiah • Jeremiah • Lamentations • Ezekiel • Daniel • Hosea • Joel • Amos • Obadiah • Jonah • Micah • Nahum • Habbakuk • Zephaniah • Haggai • Zechariah • Malachi
New Testament
Matthew • Mark • Luke • John • Acts • Romans • 1 Corinthians • 2 Corinthians • Galatians • Ephesians • Philippians • Colossians • 1 Thessalonians • 2 Thessalonians • 1 Timothy • 2 Timothy • Titus • Philemon • Hebrews • James • 1 Peter • 2 Peter • 1–3 John • Jude • Revelation
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