122 lines
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122 lines
14 KiB
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<div class="head">Executable Outlines</div>
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<div class="subhead">The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians</div>
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<div class="main-just"><div class="pad30">
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<div class="levI" align="center" style="color:324395;font-size:150%;font-weight:bold;">Introduction</div>
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<p><b>AUTHOR:</b> The apostle Paul, joined in his salutation by Silvanus and Timothy (<a id="si-2Th 1:1" onClick="return mV('2Th',1,1);">2Th 1:1</a>), and with a reference to his own signature at the end of the epistle (<a id="si-2Th 3:17" onClick="return mV('2Th',3,17);">2Th 3:17</a>). Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to Paul include: Clement of Alexandria (200 A.D.), Tertullian (200 A.D.), and Irenaeus (200 A.D.).</p>
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<p><b>THE CITY OF THESSALONICA:</b> It was the capital and largest city of the Roman province of Macedonia. Located on the Egnatian Way, a major road from Rome to the eastern provinces, the city served as center of trade and commerce. Today, it is known as Thessaloniki, or Salonica.</p>
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<p><b>THE CHURCH AT THESSALONICA:</b> The establishment of the church is recorded in <a id="si-Act 17:1-9" onClick="return mV('Act',17,'1-9');">Act 17:1-9</a>. On his second missionary journey, Paul and his companions (Silas and Timothy) had just left Philippi and passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia to arrive at Thessalonica. As was his custom, Paul immediately located the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews for three Sabbaths concerning Jesus Christ. While some of them were persuaded, including a great number of devout Greeks and leading women, the unbelieving Jews became jealous and created an uproar in the city. Therefore it became necessary to send Paul and Silas away secretly by night to Berea.</p>
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<p>Despite such ominous beginnings, a strong church was established in Thessalonica (cf. <a id="si-2Th 1:2-10" onClick="return mV('2Th',1,'2-10');">2Th 1:2-10</a>). Mostly Gentile (cf. <a id="si-2Th 1:9" onClick="return mV('2Th',1,9);">2Th 1:9</a>), its members included Jason (<a id="si-Act 17:9" onClick="return mV('Act',17,9);">Act 17:9</a>), Aristarchus, and Secundus (<a id="si-Act 20:4" onClick="return mV('Act',20,4);">Act 20:4</a>). It had already been the recipient of an earlier letter (<b>First Thessalonians</b>).</p>
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<p><b>TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING:</b> Second Thessalonians appears to have been written just a few months, possibly a year, after First Thessalonians. This would place the writing of the epistle during Paul's extended stay at Corinth on his second missionary journey (cf. <a id="si-Act 18:1-11" onClick="return mV('Act',18,'1-11');">Act 18:1-11</a>), sometime around <b>53 A.D.</b></p>
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<p><b>PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE:</b> The first epistle to the Thessalonians had been written in response to news brought back by Timothy who had made a quick trip there while Paul was in Athens (cf. <a id="si-1Th 3:1-3, 6" onClick="return mV('1Th',3,'1-3',6);">1Th 3:1-3, 6</a>). Encouraged by their steadfastness in the face of persecution, Paul had exhorted them to holiness in view of the Lord's coming (cf. <a id="si-1Th 3:12-13" onClick="return mV('1Th',3,12,13);">1Th 3:12-13</a>; <a id="si-1Th 5:23" onClick="return mV('1Th',5,23);">1Th 5:23</a>).</p>
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<p>From the second letter, it appears that they remained strong in the Lord despite persecution (cf. <a id="si-2Th 1:3-4" onClick="return mV('2Th',1,'3-4');">2Th 1:3-4</a>). But it is apparent from this letter that misunderstanding about the Lord's coming was present in the church. Some of the members were being troubled by false reports (cf. <a id="si-2Th 2:1-2" onClick="return mV('2Th',2,1,2);">2Th 2:1-2</a>); others had stopped working, perhaps assuming that the Lord's imminent return meant one did not need to work anymore (cf. <a id="si-2Th 3:11-12" onClick="return mV('2Th',3,'11-12');">2Th 3:11-12</a>).</p>
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<p>Paul's purpose in writing this epistle, therefore, is three-fold:</p>
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<div class="levA"><b>* To encourage them in their steadfastness under persecution</b></div>
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<div class="levA"><b>* To correct their misunderstanding about the imminence of the Lord's return</b></div>
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<div class="levA"><b>* To instruct the congregation on what disciplinary action to take toward those who refused to work</b></div>
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<p><b>THEME OF THE EPISTLE:</b> In correcting their misunderstanding about the return of Christ, Paul explains that the Lord will not come right away (cf. <a id="si-2Th 2:1-3" onClick="return mV('2Th',2,'1-3');">2Th 2:1-3</a>). Therefore they need to continue with steadfastness and patience for which they had been commended. A suggested theme of this epistle might therefore be:</p>
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<p align="center"><b>"STEADFASTNESS WHILE WAITING FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST"</b></p>
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<p><b>KEY VERSES: <a id="si-2Th 2:15-17" onClick="return mV('2Th',2,'15-17');">2Th 2:15-17</a></p>
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<div class="block"><b>"Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work."</b></div>
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<p> </p>
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<div class="levI" align="center" style="color:324395;font-size:150%;"><b>OUTLINE:</b></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>INTRODUCTION (<span class="noTag">2Th 1:1-2</span>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">1. Salutation (<a id="si-2Th 1:1" onClick="return mV('2Th',1,1);">2Th 1:1</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA">2. Greetings (<a id="si-2Th 1:2" onClick="return mV('2Th',1,2);">2Th 1:2</a>)</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>I. <u>ENCOURAGEMENT IN PERSECUTIONS</u> (<span class="noTag">2Th 1:3-12</span>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA"><b>A. THANKFUL FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL GROWTH (<span class="noTag">2Th 1:3-4</span>)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. Thanking God for their growing faith and abounding love (<a id="si-2Th 1:3" onClick="return mV('2Th',1,3);">2Th 1:3</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. Boasting to others of their patience and faith in all their persecutions (<a id="si-2Th 1:4" onClick="return mV('2Th',1,4);">2Th 1:4</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA"><b>B. ENCOURAGEMENT IN TRIALS IN VIEW OF THE LORD'S RETURN (<span class="noTag">2Th 1:5-10</span>)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. Suffering will make them worthy of the kingdom of God (<a id="si-2Th 1:5" onClick="return mV('2Th',1,5);">2Th 1:5</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. God will repay those who trouble them (<a id="si-2Th 1:6" onClick="return mV('2Th',1,6);">2Th 1:6</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">3. This will occur when Jesus is revealed from heaven (<a id="si-2Th 1:7-10" onClick="return mV('2Th',1,'7-10');">2Th 1:7-10</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA"><b>C. HIS PRAYER FOR THEM (<span class="noTag">2Th 1:11-12</span>)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. That God would count them worthy of their calling (<a id="si-2Th 1:11" onClick="return mV('2Th',1,11);">2Th 1:11a</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. That God would fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power (<a id="si-2Th 1:11" onClick="return mV('2Th',1,11);">2Th 1:11b</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">3. That the name of Jesus might be glorified in them, and they in Him, according to the grace of God and Christ (<a id="si-2Th 1:12" onClick="return mV('2Th',1,12);">2Th 1:12</a>)</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>II. <u>ENLIGHTENMENT ABOUT THE COMING OF THE LORD</u> (<span class="noTag">2Th 2:1-17</span>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA"><b>A. DO NOT BE TROUBLED (<span class="noTag">2Th 2:1-2</span>)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. Concerning the coming of the Lord and our gathering to Him (<a id="si-2Th 2:1" onClick="return mV('2Th',2,1);">2Th 2:1</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. By false reports, as though the day had come (<a id="si-2Th 2:2" onClick="return mV('2Th',2,2);">2Th 2:2</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA"><b>B. THE APOSTASY MUST COME FIRST (<span class="noTag">2Th 2:3-12</span>)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. A falling away must occur, and the man of sin revealed (<a id="si-2Th 2:3-5" onClick="return mV('2Th',2,'3-5');">2Th 2:3-5</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. The man of sin is being restrained, though the mystery of lawlessness is already at work (<a id="si-2Th 2:6-7" onClick="return mV('2Th',2,'6-7');">2Th 2:6-7</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">3. When the lawless one is revealed, the Lord will destroy him with His coming (<a id="si-2Th 2:8" onClick="return mV('2Th',2,8);">2Th 2:8</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">4. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, and will mislead those who do not have a love for the truth (<a id="si-2Th 2:9-12" onClick="return mV('2Th',2,'9-12');">2Th 2:9-12</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA"><b>C. STEADFASTNESS ENCOURAGED (<span class="noTag">2Th 2:13-17</span>)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. Thankful to God for their election through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in truth, having been called by the gospel to obtain glory (<a id="si-2Th 2:13-14" onClick="return mV('2Th',2,'13-14');">2Th 2:13-14</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. A call to stand fast and hold to the traditions taught by word or epistle (<a id="si-2Th 2:15" onClick="return mV('2Th',2,15);">2Th 2:15</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">3. Prayer for their comfort and establishment in every good word and work (<a id="si-2Th 2:16-17" onClick="return mV('2Th',2,'16-17');">2Th 2:16-17</a>)</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>III. <u>EXHORTATIONS TO CHRISTIAN LIVING</u> (<a id="si-2Th 3:1-15" onClick="return mV('2Th',3,'1-15');">2Th 3:1-15</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA"><b>A. A REQUEST FOR PRAYER, AND A PRAYER FOR THEM (<span class="noTag">2Th 3:1-5</span>)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. Asking them to pray that the word of the Lord might have free course, and he be delivered from evil men (<a id="si-2Th 3:1-2" onClick="return mV('2Th',3,'1-2');">2Th 3:1-2</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. Expressions of confidence in the Lord, and in their obedience (<a id="si-2Th 3:3-4" onClick="return mV('2Th',3,'3-4');">2Th 3:3-4</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">3. Praying that the Lord will direct their hearts into the love of God and patience of Christ (<a id="si-2Th 3:5" onClick="return mV('2Th',3,5);">2Th 3:5</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA"><b>B. A CHARGE TO DISCIPLINE THE DISORDERLY (<span class="noTag">2Th 3:6-15</span>)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. To withdraw from those who do not follow apostolic tradition and example (<a id="si-2Th 3:6-9" onClick="return mV('2Th',3,'6-9');">2Th 3:6-9</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. Especially those who will not work (<a id="si-2Th 3:10-12" onClick="return mV('2Th',3,'10-12');">2Th 3:10-12</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">3. Don't grow weary in doing good, and avoid those who do not obey the words of the epistle (<a id="si-2Th 3:13-15" onClick="return mV('2Th',3,'13-15');">2Th 3:13-15</a>)</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>CONCLUDING REMARKS (<span class="noTag">2Th 3:16-18</span>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">1. A prayer that the Lord bless them with His peace and presence (<a id="si-2Th 3:16" onClick="return mV('2Th',3,16);">2Th 3:16</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA">2. A confirmation of his authorship of this epistle (<a id="si-2Th 3:17" onClick="return mV('2Th',3,17);">2Th 3:17</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA">3. A benediction of grace from the Lord Jesus Christ (<a id="si-2Th 3:18" onClick="return mV('2Th',3,18);">2Th 3:18</a>)</div>
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<p> </p>
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<div class="levI" align="center" style="color:324395;font-size:150%;"><b>REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION</b></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>1) On which missionary journey was the church at Thessalonica established?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Paul's second missionary journey</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>2) Where can we read about the establishment of the church at Thessalonica?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- <a id="si-Act 17:1-9" onClick="return mV('Act',17,'1-9');">Act 17:1-9</a></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>3) What two letters were written to this congregation?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- 1st and 2nd Thessalonians</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>4) From where and when did Paul write 2nd Thessalonians?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- From Corinth, sometime around 53 A.D.</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>5) What length of time had passed between the writing of the two epistles?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- A few months, maybe a year</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>6) Why did Paul write 2nd Thessalonians (see Purpose Of The Epistle)?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- To encourage them in their steadfastness under persecution</div>
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<div class="levA">- To correct their misunderstanding about the imminence of the Lord's return</div>
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<div class="levA">- To instruct the congregation on what disciplinary action to take toward those who refused to work</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>7) What has been suggested as the theme of this epistle?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Steadfastness while waiting for the coming of Christ</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>8) What are the key verses of this epistle?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- <a id="si-2Th 2:15-17" onClick="return mV('2Th',2,'15-17');">2Th 2:15-17</a></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>9) According to the outline above, what are the three main sections of this epistle?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Encouragement in persecutions (chapter 1)</div>
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<div class="levA">- Enlightenment about the coming of the Lord (chapter 2)</div>
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<div class="levA">- Exhortations to Christian living (chapter 3)</div>
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<p align="center" style="font-size:85%;margin-top:25px;">Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2003</p>
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<a href="#top">Return to Top</a><br>
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<a href="./study/eo/index.html">Return to Executable Outlines</a>
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<p class="bibliobox"><strong>Bibliographic Information:</strong><br>Author: Copeland, Mark A.<br>Title: "The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians"<br>Work: <em>Executable Outlines</em><br>Date Added: 28 Aug 2003<br>Source: Executable Outlines</p>
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