2 Thessalonians — Spencer Ferrari-Wood

Book Reviews aim to provide succinct, thoughtful summaries of books I have read. Each review contains quotes from the book, thoughts from others, and also some thoughts of my own. Typically they will be structured in the following order: author, introduction, message and purpose, remarkable chapter, and conclusion. This review will cover 2 Thessalonians, a book written almost 2,000 years ago and one that is part of a larger collection of books called The Bible.

Author

The apostle Paul

Introduction

Following up on his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul wrote to give further clarification on how to live the Christian life in light of the coming return of Christ. The Thessalonians were called to stand firm and live useful lives, because the return of Christ might be in the distant future.

Message and Purpose

Paul wrote in part to encourage the Thessalonian believers to stand firm for the truth in the midst of persecution and to assure them that God would judge those who were afflicting them. However, four primary themes are on display: the greatness of God, salvation in Christ, the second coming, and life and work.

The greatness of God. God loves people like the Thessalonians and has brought them into the church. He has elected them (2:13), called them (1:11; 2:14), and saved them. His purpose will continue to the end when they will be brought to their climax with the return of Christ and judgment.

Salvation in Christ. Salvation in Christ is proclaimed in the gospel and will be consummated when Christ comes again to overthrow all evil and bring rest and glory to His own. This great God loves His people, and He has given them comfort and hope—two important qualities for persecuted people.

The second coming. The second coming is seen here in terms of the overthrow of all evil, especially the "man of lawlessness." Paul made it clear that Christ's coming will be majestic, that it will mean punishment for people who refuse to know God and who reject the gospel, and that it will bring rest and glory to believers. In the end God and righteousness, not Satan and evil, will be triumphant.

Life and work. Paul had a good deal to say about people he called "disorderly" and who appeared to be idle, not working at all (3:6-12). No doctrinal emphasis, not even that of Christ's return, should lead Christians away from work. People able to work should earn their daily bread. Believers are to work for their living and not grow weary in doing good.

Remarkable Chapter

Of the three chapters included in Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians, the second chapter—particularly the end of that chapter—provide needed encouragement for every believer. In verses thirteen to seventeen, Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to stand firm:

"But we must always thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, either by our message or by our letter.

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word."

Conclusion

The letter of 2 Thessalonians is not long, and it does not give us a definitive outline of the entire Christian faith. Paul wrote to meet a present need, and the arrangement of his letter focused on local circumstances. 2 Thessalonians outlines the need for believers to have a proper work ethic to provide for their own needs, urges believers to stand firm amongst difficult circumstances, and elaborates on the end-time events associated with the second coming of Christ.