Thessalonians (Part 2)
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Lesson
The return of Christ is a central theme in the letters to the Thessalonians.
Outline
Letters of Paul
Part 2
II. 1 and 2 Thessalonians: A Balanced View of Christ's Return
A. Background to 1 Thessalonians
1. Acts 17:1-9
a. Paul's short time in town
b. Significant persecution by Jewish townspeople
2. Acts 17:10, 15; 18:5, 1 Thessalonians 3:1, 6
a. Coworkers' movements
b. Results in 50 or 51 in Corinth
B. 1 Thessalonians – Christ Will Return Soon
1. Greetings and thanksgiving (1:1-10)
2. Paul's ministry in Thessalonica (2:1-16)
3. Paul's concern since leaving (2:17-3:13)
4. Exhortations (4:1-5:22)
5. Conclusion (5:23-28)
C. Thessalonians and Christ's Return
1. Concern that Christ's return was delayed
2. 1 Thessalonians – "He is still coming soon"
3. Concern that Christ had already come (spiritually)
4. 2 Thessalonians – There are signs which must still occur
D. Exegetical Highlights in 1 Thessalonians 1:1-4:12
1. Sustained praise (cf. extra thanks in 2:13, 3:9)
a. Rationale (2:13)
b. Theme (4:10)
2. Motives for ministry – parental affection (2:7, 11)
3. Compare/Contrast popular philosophy and theme of imitation (e.g., 2:3, 4, 5, 6)
4. Will of God (as consistently in Scripture) = holiness/moral living (4:3-4)
5. Twofold reason for work, with godliness (4:11-12)
6. Eschatology (4:13-5:11)
a. Apant sis and posttribulationism
b. (Matthew 25:6, Acts 28:15 are other 2 New Testament uses of term)
c. Encouragement vs. grief
7. 1 Thessalonians 5:22
a. Context of testing prophecies
b. "Appearance" (eidos) = "kind"
E. 3 Views of the Rapture
1. "Pre-trib"
a. Church Age
b. Rapture
c. Tribulation
d. Second Coming
2. "Mid-trib"
a. Church Age
b. 3.5 years of Tribulation
c. Rapture
d. 3.5 years of Tribulation
e. Second Coming
3. "Post-trib"
a. Church Age
b. Tribulation
c. Rapture/Second Coming
F. 2 Thessalonians – "But Not That Soon!"
1. Intro and thanksgiving (1:1-12)
2. Signs still to come (2:1-17)
3. Exhortations and Conclusion (3:1-18)
G. Background to 2 Thessalonians
1. If Pauline and after 1 Thessalonians
a. A short time after 1 Thessalonians
b. Increased persecution
c. Increased problem with the idle
2. Irrespective of authorship and order
a. Also from Corinth (or meant to appear that way)
b. Disruptions described in 2:2
i. Commonly seen as due to a forged letter
ii. But perhaps a misinterpretation of first letter
H. Exegetical Highlights of 2 Thessalonians
1. Literal translation of 2:2, 2:15 for background
2. 1:9 (and judgment more generally)
a. Regarding nature of hell
b. Regarding annihilationism
c. God's love comforting the oppressed
3. Chapter 2 – Identity of man of lawlessness restrainer
a. Problems with a rebuilt temple
b. But again meant to encourage
4. Chapter 3 (especially v. 10) – Winter, Jewett and a sociological reconstruction