Day 286

Jeremiah 22:1–23:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12; Psalm 83:1-18; Proverbs 25:11-14

TODAY WE BEGAN the apostle Paul’s second letter to the church in Thessalonica —a church that was born in persecution and had never been free from it. Some biblical scholars question Paul’s authorship of 2 Thessalonians, due to theological nuances not found in his other letters as well as the tone of the writing. Still, the majority accept it as an authentic letter of Paul. The earliest church fathers certainly affirmed and quoted the letter.

Paul probably wrote his second letter to the Thessalonian congregation only a short time after the first. He wanted to further clarify and broaden what he had previously said. He also felt the need to correct specific inaccurate assumptions. For example, Paul wanted to emphasize the importance of people working to provide for themselves and the community. Some were quitting their jobs, living idle lives, and meddling in others’ business. Paul told the brothers and sisters that if they weren’t going to work, they were not permitted to leech off others.

To make matters even more confusing for the Thessalonians, misleading communication had come in Paul’s name, informing the church that Jesus had already come and they had just missed it. Paul, of course, set the record straight. He had never and would never say a thing like that. It was utterly false.

Correction is far from Paul’s only reason for writing this letter, though. The believers in Thessalonica were precious to Paul. They needed constant encouragement because they were continually under fire. Paul wrote that their endurance wasn’t being overlooked, and that they were being made worthy of the Kingdom of God. He also encouraged them that justice would prevail.

The second letter to the church in Thessalonica —as with the first —gives us a clear view of a people who were under pressure but remaining faithful to God. In 2 Thessalonians, we can find wisdom and encouragement for our own experience of faith, in the same way that our brothers and sisters did when the letter was first read aloud.

MEDITATION:

Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.