2 Thessalonians

In 2 Thessalonians, Paul received the news that the problems in 1 Thessalonians had aggravated. Oppression was getting worse and the believers started to feel confused about the coming of the Lord. Some used Paul’s name to spread rumours that Jesus had already returned at a time not known to them. It created fear among the believers, who thought that they were abandoned by Christ. 
 
Themes of 2 Thessalonians: 

1. Hope in Oppression and Suffering: Paul re-emphasized that the suffering they experienced was not meaningless, but a way of  participating in the kingdom of God. One day, suffering would pass, and their characters would be shaped in the process.
   
   
2. Explanation for the Day of the Lord: Paul clarified that Jesus’ return would not lead to fear and worry of being abandoned. The second coming of Jesus should bring hope and faith to the believers. When Christ returns, He will end the ruling of the kings who rebelled against God, and put the world under His judgement. 
    
3. Warning to the Idle People: Some theologians believe that Paul was addressing those who quitted their jobs because they believed that Jesus would return soon. Some others believed that Paul was talking about the Roman practice of patronage, which was the practice of poor people working for the rich. Instead of working in real jobs, they carried out their masters’ order to earn their living. Sometimes, their tasks would include immoral requests (3:11). Paul reminded them to work hard so that they could generously give to the poor and witness the sacrificial love of Jesus.

In conclusion, Paul wrote these two letters to stress that, following Jesus would lead to a holy and counter-cultural lifestyle. This lifestyle may lead to hostility. However, we should live out Jesus’s love and generosity to fight against other’s hostility. At the same time, Paul comforted and encouraged the suffering believers to fix their eyes on Jesus’s coming - for their victory was already secured in Jesus.