2 Thessalonians Greetings

We now begin our study of 2 Thessalonians. As we discussed last week, Paul wrote this letter to encourage the church to remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ, correct false beliefs (such as missing the rapture and thinking they would face God’s wrath), and exhort the church to take action. Before we take a deeper dive into the first chapter of 2 Thessalonians, I want to compare the greeting in chapter 1 with the greeting in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1. I believe it is important to compare these two openings to understand what the church was going through and why Paul wrote this letter. Let us first look at 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10.

“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

Now let us look at 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

First, we see that Paul is identifying who is with him: Silvanus and Timothy. All three men witnessed the change and the subsequent persecution of the church in Thessalonica. Both letters also show that Paul is writing what God has led him to write, and that he gives thanks to the believers. We also see that Paul is identifying the church’s great faith in Jesus Christ.

However, in 1 Thessalonians 1:5 and 2 Thessalonians 1:6, we see the two letters begin to drift. 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10 shows Paul identifying the church’s great faith and that they have shared the gospel to those around them, not just by their words but by their actions. They are “walking the walk, and talking the talk” of their faith. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12 shows Paul taking a different turn.

Verse 6 shows Paul saying that it is a righteous thing that God repays with tribulation those who have troubled the church in Thessalonica, but in the very next verse, we see that God will give rest to those who are troubled. This is the difference between these two books. 1 Thessalonians was written to encourage the reader to remain strong in their faith during times of persecution. 2 Thessalonians was written to encourage the church to remain faithful and give comfort to those who had bought into the lie that they had missed the Rapture and were going to face God’s wrath.

Next week, we will be going into more detail on 2 Thessalonians 1:12, but it is important to understand the different topics that Paul is writing about in these two letters. If we don't understand the purpose of the letter, we cannot understand its meaning.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex