Difference between revisions of "Second Epistle to the Thessalonians" - New World Encyclopedia
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| + | The '''Second Epistle to the Thessalonians''', also known as the '''Second Letter to the Thessalonians''', is a book from the [[New Testament]] of the Christian [[Bible]]. It is traditionally attributed to [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]], although Pauline authorship has been questioned increasingly in recent years. The short letter purports to be from Paul, Silas, and Timothy, and apparent follow-up epistle to the longer 1 Thessalonians, which has been misinterpreted to teach that the Second Coming is about to occur or has already happened. The letter includes a famous passive explaining that Christ will not return until the "lawless one" has come and been revealed—a powerful but satanic miracle worker who will set himself up in the Temple of Jerusalem and proclaim himself to be divine. This prediction came to be instrumental in the development of the [[Antichrist]]. | ||
| − | + | Since the turn of the twentieth century, scholars have questions Paul's authorship fo 2 Thessalonians, believing it to have been written in Paul's name after his death in order to quell apocalyptic disruptions within the church. If the letter is authentic, then it is probably one of the first writings of the New Testament, coming shortly after 1 Thessalonians, which is usually thought to be either the first or second of Paul's existing letters. If it is not truly Pauline, then it may have been written any time from the Neroan persecution of the late 60s CE to the early second century. | |
==Summary== | ==Summary== | ||
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==Authorship== | ==Authorship== | ||
| − | + | The traditional view is that the 2 Thessalonians was probably written from [[Corinth]] not many months after 1 Thessalonians. Apparently the first letter was misunderstood, especially regarding the [[Second Coming]] of Christ. The Thessalonians had embraced the idea that Paul had taught that "the day of Christ was at hand." The apostle corrects this misinterpretation and announces what first must take place before the [[end times]]. | |
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| + | The opposing view holds that the article was written after Paul's death in order to combat the growing apocalytpicsim and extremism born of later persecutions, as evidenced by such writings as the Book of Revelation, as well as the Apocalypse of Peter, the Apocalypse of Paul, and other [[New Testament Apocrypha]]. Such visions of the impending Last Days led to urgent prophecies of coming disasters and consequent disruptions in church order. Cooler heads needed to prevail, and thus such pseudipigraphal literature as 2 Thessalonians, Ephesians, and other pious "Pauline" forgeries were written, not in the spirit of dishonesty, by in the sincere belief that the spirit of the Apostle guided the hands of the authors. | ||
| − | + | Since the turn of the twentieth century major studies by scholars such as [[William Wrede]] in 1903<ref>William Wreded, ''Die Echtheit des zweiten Thessalonicherbriefes untersucht'' (The Authenticity of the Second Letter to the Thessalonians investigated), Leipzig 1903</ref> and [[Alfred Loisy]] in 1933 <ref>Alfred Loisy, ''The Birth of the Christian Religion'', University Books, New York 1962, pp. 20-21 (Originally published as ''La Naissance du Christianisme'', 1933)</ref> challenged the traditional view of the authorship of 2 Thessalonians. There is still a widespread dispute over the matter. | |
| − | + | According to Leon Moris in 1986, the majority of current scholars at that time still held to Paul's authorship. <ref>Leon Moris. ''Concordia NIV Study Bible''. ed. Hoerber, Robert G. St. Lous: Concordia Publishing House, p.1840.</ref> However, scholars have increasingly come to question this, and the majority opinion today appears to be that the letter was not written by Paul but by an associate or disciple after his death, representing what they believed was his message.<ref>Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. New York: Oxford, 2004, p.385; Beverly Roberts Gaventa, ''First and Second Thessalonians'', Westminster John Knox Press, 1998, p. 93; Kelly, Joseph Francis. ''An Introduction to the New Testament for Catholics'', Liturgical Press, 2006 p.32</ref> | |
| − | == | + | Those who believe Paul was the author of Second Thessalonians often note how he apparently wrote the final salutation at the end in his own hand rather than through a scribe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kretzmannproject.org/EP_MINOR/2TH_3.htm|title=2 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 3|publisher= The Kretzmann Project|author=Kretzmann, Paul E|accessdate=2007-07-09}}</ref> Of this [[Bruce Metzger]] writes, "Paul calls attention to his signature, which was added by his own hand as a token of genuineness to every letter of his (3:17)." <ref>Metzger, Bruce M. (2003). The New Testament: Its Background, Growth, & Content. 3rd ed. Nashville: Abingdon, p. 255.</ref> Moreover, the emphasis on [[eschatology|eschatological]] themes (meaning a concern for such issues as the [[Last Days]] and the [[Second Coming]]) is often mentioned as evidence of an early date for the letter, in opposition to the proposition that it was written after Paul's death. Indeed, while Paul's authorship of Second Thessalonians has been questioned more often than his authorship of First Thessalonians, there is more evidence from early Christian writers for his authorship of Second Thessalonians than that of First Thessalonians.<ref>Leon Moris. ''Concordia NIV Study Bible''. ed. Hoerber, Robert G. St. Lous: Concordia Publishing House, p.1840.</ref> The epistle was considered canonical by the second century teacher [[Marcion]] (who was later declared to be a heretic) and the Muratorian fragment, the earliest orthodox list of canonical scriptures. It was mentioned by the bishop [[Irenaeus]] of Lyon, and quoted by Bishop Ignatius of Antioch, as well as Justin Martyr, and Polycarp of Smyrna.<ref>Guthrie, Donald (1990). ''New Testament Introduction''. Hazell Books. p593</ref> |
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| − | + | One skeptical writer, [[Norman Perrin]], observes: "The best understanding of 2 Thessalonians is to see it as a deliberate imitation of 1 Thessalonians, updating the apostle's thought."<ref>Norman Perrin, ''The New Testament: An Introduction: Proclamation and Parenesis, Myth and History'', (Harcourt College Publishers, 1974)</ref>. | |
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Revision as of 21:53, 9 October 2007
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The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians, also known as the Second Letter to the Thessalonians, is a book from the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is traditionally attributed to Paul, although Pauline authorship has been questioned increasingly in recent years. The short letter purports to be from Paul, Silas, and Timothy, and apparent follow-up epistle to the longer 1 Thessalonians, which has been misinterpreted to teach that the Second Coming is about to occur or has already happened. The letter includes a famous passive explaining that Christ will not return until the "lawless one" has come and been revealed—a powerful but satanic miracle worker who will set himself up in the Temple of Jerusalem and proclaim himself to be divine. This prediction came to be instrumental in the development of the Antichrist.
Since the turn of the twentieth century, scholars have questions Paul's authorship fo 2 Thessalonians, believing it to have been written in Paul's name after his death in order to quell apocalyptic disruptions within the church. If the letter is authentic, then it is probably one of the first writings of the New Testament, coming shortly after 1 Thessalonians, which is usually thought to be either the first or second of Paul's existing letters. If it is not truly Pauline, then it may have been written any time from the Neroan persecution of the late 60s CE to the early second century.
Summary
The Epistle opens with a salutation from Paul, Silas, and Timothy, the latter two being Paul's companions on his missionary journey. The author begins with praise for the Thessalonian church and "the persecutions and trials you are enduring." As with the First Letter to the Thessalonians, the hope of the Second Coming is still strong as the writers promise that the church's persecutors will be repaid when "Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels." (Chapter 1)
t the same, the writers warn that the church should place no stock in prophecies or letters "supposed to have come from us," reporting that the time of the Second Coming has already come. Before this, the "lawless one" (or lawlessness) must be revealed. The writers speak of a "man doomed to destruction" who will "set himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God." Many will be led astray by this satanic prophet, for he will be able to perfom "counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders." Nevertheless, all of this is allowed by God Himself, who God "sends a powerful delusion" in order to condemn those who do not believe in the truth of the Gospel. Ultimately, however, "the Lord Jesus will overthrow him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming." (Chapter 2)
The authors conclude with an admonition to "keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us." The readers are reminded that Paul himself labored for his food while he was among them. The famous rule is reiterated: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." (3:10) Those who do not heed the present letter are to be noted and shunned in order than they may be ashamed of themselves. "Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother." The apostle Paul "himself" writes the final sentences in his own hand as a sign of the authenticity of the epistle, which closes with a typical Pauline blessing: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." (3:18)
Authorship
The traditional view is that the 2 Thessalonians was probably written from Corinth not many months after 1 Thessalonians. Apparently the first letter was misunderstood, especially regarding the Second Coming of Christ. The Thessalonians had embraced the idea that Paul had taught that "the day of Christ was at hand." The apostle corrects this misinterpretation and announces what first must take place before the end times.
The opposing view holds that the article was written after Paul's death in order to combat the growing apocalytpicsim and extremism born of later persecutions, as evidenced by such writings as the Book of Revelation, as well as the Apocalypse of Peter, the Apocalypse of Paul, and other New Testament Apocrypha. Such visions of the impending Last Days led to urgent prophecies of coming disasters and consequent disruptions in church order. Cooler heads needed to prevail, and thus such pseudipigraphal literature as 2 Thessalonians, Ephesians, and other pious "Pauline" forgeries were written, not in the spirit of dishonesty, by in the sincere belief that the spirit of the Apostle guided the hands of the authors.
Since the turn of the twentieth century major studies by scholars such as William Wrede in 1903[1] and Alfred Loisy in 1933 [2] challenged the traditional view of the authorship of 2 Thessalonians. There is still a widespread dispute over the matter.
According to Leon Moris in 1986, the majority of current scholars at that time still held to Paul's authorship. [3] However, scholars have increasingly come to question this, and the majority opinion today appears to be that the letter was not written by Paul but by an associate or disciple after his death, representing what they believed was his message.[4]
Those who believe Paul was the author of Second Thessalonians often note how he apparently wrote the final salutation at the end in his own hand rather than through a scribe.[5] Of this Bruce Metzger writes, "Paul calls attention to his signature, which was added by his own hand as a token of genuineness to every letter of his (3:17)." [6] Moreover, the emphasis on eschatological themes (meaning a concern for such issues as the Last Days and the Second Coming) is often mentioned as evidence of an early date for the letter, in opposition to the proposition that it was written after Paul's death. Indeed, while Paul's authorship of Second Thessalonians has been questioned more often than his authorship of First Thessalonians, there is more evidence from early Christian writers for his authorship of Second Thessalonians than that of First Thessalonians.[7] The epistle was considered canonical by the second century teacher Marcion (who was later declared to be a heretic) and the Muratorian fragment, the earliest orthodox list of canonical scriptures. It was mentioned by the bishop Irenaeus of Lyon, and quoted by Bishop Ignatius of Antioch, as well as Justin Martyr, and Polycarp of Smyrna.[8]
One skeptical writer, Norman Perrin, observes: "The best understanding of 2 Thessalonians is to see it as a deliberate imitation of 1 Thessalonians, updating the apostle's thought."[9].
Notes
- ↑ William Wreded, Die Echtheit des zweiten Thessalonicherbriefes untersucht (The Authenticity of the Second Letter to the Thessalonians investigated), Leipzig 1903
- ↑ Alfred Loisy, The Birth of the Christian Religion, University Books, New York 1962, pp. 20-21 (Originally published as La Naissance du Christianisme, 1933)
- ↑ Leon Moris. Concordia NIV Study Bible. ed. Hoerber, Robert G. St. Lous: Concordia Publishing House, p.1840.
- ↑ Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. New York: Oxford, 2004, p.385; Beverly Roberts Gaventa, First and Second Thessalonians, Westminster John Knox Press, 1998, p. 93; Kelly, Joseph Francis. An Introduction to the New Testament for Catholics, Liturgical Press, 2006 p.32
- ↑ Kretzmann, Paul E. 2 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 3. The Kretzmann Project. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
- ↑ Metzger, Bruce M. (2003). The New Testament: Its Background, Growth, & Content. 3rd ed. Nashville: Abingdon, p. 255.
- ↑ Leon Moris. Concordia NIV Study Bible. ed. Hoerber, Robert G. St. Lous: Concordia Publishing House, p.1840.
- ↑ Guthrie, Donald (1990). New Testament Introduction. Hazell Books. p593
- ↑ Norman Perrin, The New Testament: An Introduction: Proclamation and Parenesis, Myth and History, (Harcourt College Publishers, 1974)
External links
Online translations of the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians:
Exegetical Papers on Second Thessalonians:
- Exegesises of II Thessalonians by various authors; maintained by the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Library.
| Preceded by: 1 Thessalonians |
Books of the Bible |
Succeeded by: 1 Timothy |
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