Second Epistle to the Thessalonians facts for kids

The Second Letter to the Thessalonians is the fifty-third book in the Christian Bible. It is the fourteenth book in the New Testament.

Why This Letter Was Written

This book is a letter from Paul. He was an important early Christian leader. He wrote it to a group of Christians in Thessalonica. This city was in ancient Greece. Thessalonica was the second city in Europe where Paul taught about Christianity. He left a Christian community there.

After Paul sent his first letter, some people in Thessalonica were worried. They were not sure if Christians who had died would be part of Jesus' return. This second letter was written to help them understand this important idea.

When This Letter Was Written

Many people believe Paul wrote this letter around 51–52 AD. This was soon after his first letter. Other experts think it was written later, around 80–115 AD. These experts believe the second letter sounds different from the First Epistle to the Thessalonians. They think someone else might have written it.

However, those who believe Paul wrote Second Thessalonians point to his own words. Paul signed the letter himself. He wrote: "I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, which is how I write in every letter."

What the Letter Says

The first part of the letter praises the Christians in Thessalonica. It says they kept their faith strong. This was true even when others were against them.

The letter has a whole chapter about the Second Coming of Christ. Someone had told the Thessalonians that Christ had already returned. Paul says this is not true. (You can read about this in chapter 2, verses 1 to 12). He tells them that a time of great trouble must happen before Christ returns. Since this trouble had not happened yet, Christ could not have returned.

Paul then gives thanks. He says his readers were chosen by God for salvation. They were saved by God's kindness through their faith. Because of this, they would not be tricked by false teachings. (Chapter 2, verses 13 and 14).

The letter also tells the Thessalonian Christians to stay strong in their faith. It tells them to "keep away from every brother who leads an unruly (evil) life and not according to the teachings which you received from us." It also says, "do not associate (stay) with him, so that he will be put to shame. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother." (Chapter 3, verses 6, 7, 14 and 15).

How People Use These Teachings

A famous part of this letter says: "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." (Chapter 3, verse 10).

Later, a leader named Vladimir Lenin used this idea. He made it a rule in the Soviet Union. He said, "He who does not work, neither shall he eat."

Christian groups who help people in need also use this verse. They try to help people find jobs. This helps people support themselves instead of just taking help from others.

See also

In Spanish: Segunda epístola a los tesalonicenses para niños