Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1-3, Psalm 18

Unlike the second letter to the Corinthians, it seems likely that this correspondence to the church in Thessalonica was written very close on the heels of Paul’s first letter to them. So close in fact that there has been speculation that the second letter actually came first. I see no particular reason to doubt the ancient ordering of the letters as “first” and “second,” but it is interesting to see the very real life complications caused by the situation in Thessalonica. Paul is unable to come there himself to offer basic teaching and correction. He therefore has to work through intermediaries- messengers like Timothy and others. When he writes a letter (1 Thessalonians) he addresses the questions that Timothy brought back from them on his visit, and presumably sends it via another of his companions. Upon that companion’s return to Paul, very likely still in Athens, he gets the download on what the Thessalonians are thinking now. His response may be summed up thus: “What?! They think what now?!”

Paul immediately sits down and scribes another message to the church in Thessalonica to correct some serious problems in their thinking. There are three basic things here, but they are all linked together. The first appears to be doubt about the coming judgment of God on the wicked who reject the gospel. Paul goes tells them that there will indeed be mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God. The question of judgment is not on the table for Paul. Have no doubt, there will be justice, because that is the character of the creator God.

A second concern is that someone has been teaching the Thessalonians (possibly impersonating Paul in the process) that Jesus has already returned. This was likely a very early form of gnosticism, which taught that Jesus no longer had a physical body and that his return was purely a spiritual event that would not play out in space and time. On the other hand, it may have been someone trying to subvert the gospel by teaching the return of Christ was a local event and the Thessalonians missed out and may as well go back to their other gods. In either event, Paul instructs them otherwise- Jesus himself declared that his return was both unknown, would be accompanied by signs, and would be lied about by deceitful people. Paul takes this plus the prophecies of the book of Daniel and paints of picture of the time leading up to the Day of the Lord that quite clearly says nobody will miss it. It will happen in the real world, and everyone will know it. There is no possibility of an event of this magnitude being hidden from anyone.

Finally, he addresses slothfulness on the part of believers. Every once in a while, some group decides they know when the world will end, and they stop working. They stop participating in daily activities of life, stop planning for the future, and live it up in the moment. Paul gives a very simple rule for the Thessalonians facing people of this kind: if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. Christian faith and assurance of salvation should not be an excuse to idleness, and it certainly should not be used to take advantage of the generosity of others.

The second letter to the Thessalonians is a sometimes sharply expressed correction of dangerous ideas. Sloth, the spiritualization of the gospel, and doubt about final judgment are all problems that persist right into the present day. And it is not like they were new in Paul’s day either. But it is important as we continue to look at the grand Story that the Scriptures are telling that we not be confused in these ways. Paul wrote this letter because these improper beliefs undermine our understanding of the character of God, and so threaten the gospel message of salvation.