1. GENERAL
1. Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians church is classified as eschatological.
2. The letter further advances the teaching concerning the Day of the Lord.
3. In this connection Paul targets in his teaching the rise and fall of the Antichrist.
2. THE PLACE AND DATE OF 2 THESSALONIANS
1. This letter, like First Thessalonians, was written during Paul's Corinthian ministry (March 51AD - September 52AD).
2. The date was sometime during Paul's stay at Corinth.
3. PURPOSE
1. Commendation: As in his first letter, Paul commends the church for their steadfastness and love under continued persecution.
2. Correction: The primary purpose, or immediate occasion, for writing a second letter was to counter false teaching that they were exposed to respecting the Day of the Lord, and to deal with those who refused to work.
4. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
1. This is the shortest of Paul's nine letters to churches.
2. The church continued to face intense persecution from society.
3. Believers continued to exhibit love to each other.
4. They are promised vindication at the Parousia of Christ.
5. They were exposed to fraudulent teaching that they were in the Tribulation.
6. There are four prayer wishes in the letter.
7. Paul tells believers to separate from believers who refuse to work and who refuse to follow his teaching in these letters.
5. GENERAL OUTLINE
1. Salutation, 1:1,2.
2. Encouragement under persecution, 2:3-12.
3. Correction concerning the Day of the Lord, 2:1-12.
4. Thanksgiving for their standing in the Plan of God, 2:13,14.
5. A call to stand fast and a prayer wish, 2:15-17.
6. Exhortations, encouragement and a prayer wish, 3:1-5.
7. Paul's directive to separate from the "unruly", 3:6-15.
8. Benediction and conclusion, 3:16-18.

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