The New Testament | The Letters of Paul
2 Thessalonians
Things to know
Where does the book begin?
Paul thanked God for people who had faith* even when they suffered.
Places to go
Thanks to God for you
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
Jesus would come to judge
2 Thessalonians 1:5-12
A man said he was god
2 Thessalonians 2:3-10
Stand firm
2 Thessalonians 2:13-15
Work while you wait
2 Thessalonians 3:6-12
Where does the book end?
The book ends with a blessing of peace*.
People to know
Paul
Timothy
The Story of 2 Thessalonians
Paul wrote this letter to the people at Thessalonica. He wrote it not long after he wrote the first one. He had told many of the churches about the people there. He told them how they loved each other and had a strong faith. This was not easy, because they suffered many hard things. Some people in that place were not kind to the Christians. They did many cruel things to them. But the people who followed Jesus did not give up. The church* grew stronger and stronger.
Paul said that God would not forget them. He would punish the people who made them suffer. The people had some questions about the day that Jesus would return. Some people said that Jesus had already come back to earth. But Paul told them that was not true. Before Jesus returned, a Wicked One would come first. This Wicked One would oppose Jesus and the people that followed him. But God would take care of his own people. So the people that trusted* God should not worry. Jesus would return at a time in the future.
When Jesus returned, he would come from heaven* with his angels. He would bring peace* to the people that trusted* him. But he would punish the people that did not trust* him. And he would destroy the people that opposed him. So they should live good lives while they waited for Jesus to return. God chose them to be his people. [1] So they should stand firm. [2] They should always remember what Paul told them.
He also wanted the people there to pray for him. He wanted to see many more people believe, just as they did. So he asked them:
‘Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s* message will spread quickly. Pray that other people will honour it just as you did. And pray that we will be saved from wicked and evil* people. Not everyone is a believer*.’ [3]
Paul also told them to work hard while they waited. They must not be lazy. They should not take food from other people. But each man should provide the food his family needs.
‘Anyone who will not work will not eat.’ [4]
In both of his letters to them, Paul reminded them how hard he worked when he was with them. [5] He did not ask for their money. He worked so that he would not be a trouble to them. So he wanted them to be hard workers too.