The Book of 2 Thessalonians

I. Title

       The title of the letter comes from the name of the city to which it was written: Thessalonica. It is the second of two letters written to the church in that city.

II. Author and Setting

       The authors of the second letter to the church in Thessalonica were Paul, Silas, and Timothy, according to 2 Thessalonians 1:1:

       Paul, Silas and Timothy
       To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

       The second letter was probably written only a short time after the first; it, too, is to be dated around AD 50. See the discussion on the first letter for more background information.

III. An Outline of 2 Thessalonians

I. Salutation 1:1-2
II. Thanksgiving 1:3-12
III. The second coming 2:1-17
IV. Prayer request 3:1-5
V. Warning against idleness 3:6-15
VI. Conclusion 3:16-18

IV. Questions on 2 Thessalonians

1. When was the second letter to the Thessalonians written?
2. What does Paul have to say about the coming of Jesus in 2 Thessalonians?
3. What does Paul have to say about idleness? What does he have to say about his ministry among the Thessalonians?
4. Paul requests prayer. For what did he ask for prayer?