When was 2 Thessalonians written?
When was 2 Thessalonians written?
Answer
In the middle of the first century, false teachers were trying to convince the Christians at Thessalonica that the day of the Lord had already come (2 Thessalonians 2:1–2). In response, Paul gave the church further instruction and urged them to st and firm in the truth. He reminded them that Jesus’ return would occur at an unknown time in the future (2 Thessalonians 2:3) and that some events must take place first. Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians around AD 51 or 52.
Establishing Paul’s authorship of 2 Thessalonians is key to knowing when it was written. The letter itself provides strong internal evidence confirming his authorship. Paul identifies himself in the opening verse, writing, “Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:1). Near the end of the letter, he refers to himself once more: “I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write” (2 Thessalonians 3:17).
Paul’s reference to Silas and Timothy further confirms his authorship and provides insight into when he wrote the letter. Both men had served with him during his second missionary journey (see Acts 17:4). This was the same period that Paul founded the Thessalonian church. This connection between Paul, Silas, and Timothy helps date the writing of 2 Thessalonians to shortly after those events, around the time of his stay in Corinth near the end of that journey.
The theological message of the letter also supports a date of AD 51 or 52. In the letter, Paul addresses a doctrinal misunderstanding about Jesus’ return. The confusion had developed in the brief time between the writing of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Thus, he encourages the church “not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come” (2 Thessalonians 2:2). Such confusion about Jesus’ return fits best in the early years of the Thessalonian church.
Archaeological evidence also helps confirm the timing of Paul’s writing. During his second missionary journey, Paul spent about eighteen months in Corinth (Acts 18:11). While he was there, a Roman official named Gallio served as proconsul of Achaia (Acts 18:12). An inscription discovered at Delphi mentions Gallio and dates his time in office to around AD 51—52. Since Paul appeared before Gallio during that period, readers can place his ministry in Corinth and the writing of 2 Thessalonians around the same time.
In AD 51 and 52, Christians in Thessalonica needed encouragement. The Lord had not forsaken them, and they had not missed His return. As Paul urged, “So then, brothers and sisters, st and firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). The best way the Thessalonians could wait for the return of Jesus was to live faithful lives.