Source edition
The New Testament in the original Greek. Westcott, Brooke Foss; Hort, Fenton John Anthony, editors. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1882-1892.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This letter, addressed by the Apostle Paul to the church in Thessalonica, focuses on eschatological order and the practical conduct of daily Christian life. Paul begins by praising the believers for their perseverance and faith amidst persecution, promising them comfort through God's just judgment and Christ's second coming. He then addresses a confusion concerning the "Day of the Lord," clarifying that the end will not arrive until the apostasy occurs and the "man of lawlessness" is revealed. Finally, the apostle admonishes those who have abandoned daily work in disorderly expectation of the end, instructing them to work quietly and earn their own living. Through these counsels, the epistle emphasizes the importance of maintaining steadfastness, order, and tradition while awaiting the final days.