Kress Biblical Resources :: Introduction (2Th 1:1-2)

Detailed Outline of 2 Thessalonians

The Return of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Glory Calls Us to Persevere in the Midst of Persecution

1. Introduction (2Th 1:1-2)
   1. The author (2Th 1:1a)
      1. The human author and his associates (2Th 1:1a)
         1. Paul¹
         2. Silvanus²
         3. Timothy³
      2. The divine Author (2Ti 3:16-17; 2Pe 1:12-21; 2Pe 3:15-16; cf. Col 4:16; 1Th 2:13; 1Th 5:27; 2Th 3:1-4; cf. 1Ti 5:18 in which Paul quotes Luke alongside Deu 25:4 and calls them “Scripture”)
   2. The audience (2Th 1:1b)
      1. The original recipients (2Th 1:1b; Act 17:1-13)
         1. The church of the Thessalonians
         2. The context in which they lived
         3. Their consecrated position
      2. The current recipients (cf. 2Pe 3:16)
   3. The aim/reasons
      1. To comfort the beloved congregation in the midst of increased persecution—and encourage them to persevere in the faith (2Th 1:3-12)
      2. To correct false teaching in regard to the Day of the Lord—and encourage them to stand firm in the Apostle’s teaching (2Th 2:1-17; esp. 2Th 2:1-3, 13-16)
      3. To confront the unruly among the congregation, who were not working and acting like busybodies—and encourage the faithful to not grow weary of doing good (2Th 3:6-15)
      4. Summary theme: Persevere in faith and love—in spite of fierce persecution, false teaching, and foolish believers.
   4. The apostolic greeting (2Th 1:2)
      1. The salutation of grace and peace (2Th 1:2a)
      2. The Source of grace and peace (2Th 1:2b)

¹For a biblical biography of the Apostle Paul see Act 7:58; Act 8:1; Act 9:1-30; Act 11:25-30; Act 12:25-28:31; 1Co 15:30-32; 2Co 6:4-5; 2Co 11:23-30; Gal 1:13-2:16; Phl 3:4-14; 2Th 3:8.

²2Co 1:19; 1Pe 5:12; cf. Act 15:22-17:15; Act 18:5.

³For a biblical biography of Timothy see Act 16:1; Act 17:14-15; Act 18:5; 1Co 4:17; 1Co 16:10; Phl 2:19-23; 1Th 3:2, 6; 1Ti 1:2; 1Ti 5:23; Heb 13:23.