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2 THESSALONIANS

AT-A-GLANCE

Chapter 1:1-12

The Righteous Judgment of God

Chapter 2:1-17

Timing of the Day of the Lord

Chapter 3:1-18 

Avoid Living in Idleness

QUICK FACTS

Author: Paul the Apostle

Original Readers: the Church is Thessalonica

Date Written: AD 50/51

Written From: Corinth

Key Verse: 2:1-2

Major Themes: The Day of the Lord; Work Ethic

DISCOVER THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE INDUCTIVELY

OBSERVE

What does the text say?

There’s no better way to understand the literary context than carefully observing what is said.

INTERPRET

 What does the text mean?

In light of both the literary and historical context, what was the original intended meaning of this passage?

APPLY

How do I apply what the text means?

In order for us to grow and mature more into Christ’s likeness, we must apply the truths we discover in our lives.

1:1-12 The Righteous Judgment of God

OBSERVE

  • 1:3-4 — What qualities of the Thessalonians does Paul highlight?
  • 1:4-5 — To what purpose does God use persecution and affliction?
  • 1:5-8 — What is the timing when God brings justice against those who afflict His people?

INTERPRET

  • 1:5-8 — How would this bring encouragement to Christians who are undergoing present suffering? How should they view the difficulties of this life?

APPLY

  • 1:5-8 — How do I handle suffering and/or persecution in my life?

* HELPFUL NOTES

  • 1:7b-10 — In the Greek there is a rhythm to this passage, which leads some scholars to speculate that Paul may have been quoting an early Christian song or hymn.

2:1-17 Timing of the Day of the Lord

OBSERVE

  • 2:3-8 — What things does Paul say must happen before the coming of the Lord?
  • 2:8 — What is the end of the Man of Lawlessness?
  • 2:9-10 — What are the tactics of the Man of Lawlessness?
  • 2:11-12 — What are God’s tactics against those who have chosen to be opposed to the Truth?
  • 2:13 — What did God do?
  • 2:14 — Why did God do it?
  • 2:15 — What is the responsibility as a result of what God did?

INTERPRET

  • 2:1-12 — Why did Paul give them this description about the Man of Lawlessness and the Day of the Lord?

APPLY

  • 2:8 — How much do I truly comprehend the power of Christ my King? Are there any challenges that I am currently facing that I am not giving over to Jesus?

  * HELPFUL NOTES

    Many scholars relate the “Man of Lawlessness” with the “Little Horn” of Daniel 7.

THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS?

Who is the one that Paul calls the Man of Lawlessness in 2 Thessalonians? This question is one that Christians have wrestled with for almost two thousand years. In this video we look at three different ideas that Christians have had over the ages as to who this person might be, and the timing of his appearance.

3:1-18 Avoid Living in Idleness

OBSERVE

  • 3:3-5 — What does Paul say that the Lord is doing for the Thessalonian church?
  • 3:6 — What is Paul’s command? 
  • 3:7-10 — How did Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy conduct themselves when they came to Thessalonica with the Gospel message?
  • 3:11 — How are some of the Thessalonian Christians currently behaving?
  • 3:12-13 — How does Paul respond to those who are behaving in this way?
  • 3:14-15 — How is the Thessalonian church to respond to those who are behaving in this way?

INTERPRET

  • 3:6 — Why does Paul emphasize this command so strongly?
  • 3:7-10 — How did Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy’s conduct in sharing the Gospel message compare with the conduct typical of the Greek teachers at that time?
  • 3:7-10 — Why do you think Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy had such success in planting the Thessalonian church?
  • 3:11 — Why do you think that some of the Thessalonian Christians are now behaving this way?

APPLY

  • 3:7-10 — Are there areas in my life where I place my own rights over and above the benefit of the Gospel message and the Kingdom of God? If so, what changes can I make?
  • 3:11 — Do I take the generosity of others for granted? Do I feel that I am entitled to their generosity?
  • 3:15 — Are there any Christian brothers or sisters that I regard as enemies? 

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