2 Thessalonians was written to a group of Christians who were enduring persecutions and trials because of their faith. It was written to assure the Thessalonians that they would be given relief of all their suffering when Christ returned, if they remained faithful. Also, After receiving 1 Thessalonians, many members of the church believed that the Lord’s return would occur immediately so they “quit their jobs” and “those who kept their jobs were having to feed those who had not”(Ehrman, 268). Even more, it was written to underline that “the end was not yet to come”(Ehrman, 267). 1 and 2 Thessalonians were written bearing the name of the apostle, Paul. Even though 1 Thessalonians is an undisputed work of Paul, scholars are divided on the authenticity of authorship of 2 Thessalonians. Many scholars believe that 2 Thessalonians is a pseudepigrapha. However, its acceptance into the canon, the eschatological theme, and its similarity in context to 1 Thessalonians supports authenticity of the Pauline authorship. 2 Thessalonians’ installation in the Marcion’s canon and the Muratorian canon confirms its authenticity because this shows that it was fully accepted as a work of Paul as early as c.150. In order for a book to be considered as an authoritative sacred scripture, it has to have apostolic authority and origin, sound doctrine, and wide usage which means that 2 Thessalonians was believed to have derived from the apostle Paul. It also means that the letter was in heavy circulation among the masses in the early periods. Its wide usage is evident because it is mentioned by name by Irenaeus and known by Ignatius, Justin Martyr, and Polycarp” (Foster,160). The utilization of 2 Thessalonians in early Christian literature further confir... ... middle of paper ... ...salonians is upheld by its universal acceptance, its purpose of clarification of the eschatology of Paul, and its similarities to an undisputed Pauline epistle. Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians shortly after 1 Thessalonians to address to the social situations that had begun after he wrote the first epistle. He wrote it to further clarify on what was said on the matter of the Lord’s return. The signature at the end of 2 Thessalonians is an overwhelming piece of evidence that Paul wrote the letter. He says, “ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write”(3:17). This type of signature is also seen in Galatians and Corinthians. It shows his despair and fear that the forgeries in circulation could cause the faith of the Thessalonians to diminish. This epistle was not written by an imitator but by Paul himself.
Scholars of the Pauline writings have divided them into the following categories: (1) those unquestionably by Paul: Romans, I and II Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, I Thessalonians, and Philemon; (2) a letter that was probably written by Paul, but has had serious questions raised about its' authorship: II Thessalonians; (3) letters that were not actually written by Paul but were developed from his thought: Colossians and Ephesians; (4) letters that bear Paul's name but clearly come from another time and different set of circumstances in the church: I and II Timothy and Titus (the so-called Pastoral Letters); (5) a letter not bearing Paul's name and which evidences a wholly different thought and religious vocabulary from that of Paul: the Letter to the Hebrews (Kee, 5th Ed. 224).
Throughout many of Paul’s letters there are many debates pertaining to the authorship, destination, date, and the purpose. In the book of Ephesians many scholars debate on the authorship and if Paul actually wrote the letter, or if it was a scribe. Although there are some debates on whether Paul actually wrote it or not, he does refer to himself twice in the letter. In 1:1 and in 3:1 Paul states himself, 1:3 states, “For this reason, I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles” (NIV) In verse 1:3 Paul states that he is a prisoner, therefore it is debated that he did not specifically write this because he was imprisoned in Rome at this time. According to Wallace “This, of course, is not to say that the letter must be by Paul, but it is to argue that without such internal testimony, no such claim could be made” (Wallace). Many scholars also debate on the vocabulary usage and the structure of the letter. Some believe that the structure is similar, but the vocabulary seems to be different than his New Testament epistles. Hoehner claims that,” Though the book has a close affinity with Colossians, critics claim that Ephesians is uncharacteristic of Paul” (Hoehner 613). The destination of Ephesians is somewhat debated, but many do believe that the letter was sent to the church of Ephesus. “Some to claim that Ephesus is a better starting point, others suggest Caesarea.” (Wallace) Although this is an argument that has many valid points, it is obvious that Paul was imprisoned in Rome while he wrote Ephesians. It is said by Hoehner that “Ephesians was probably delivered by Tychicus (Eph. 6:21-22), who also took Paul’s letter to Colossians (Col. 4:7-9)” (Hoehner 613). As for the date goes m...
There are many introduction issues pertaining to Colossians authorship. Along with arguments and issues there are a few debates and questioning pertaining to the date, location, and the occasion, but overall all agree. Many scholars have come to the conclusion that Paul indeed is the author of Colossians, but there are some debates and questioning. There are two main arguments that deal with the authorship of the epistle. There is much debate on the literary usage in Colossians and the style in which it is written. Along with the vocabulary and style many argue with the theology behind the epistle as well. An example for concerning the argument towards the style is found in Colossians 1:27 where the unusual genitival words are used. Donald Guthrie does argue however that, “stylistic differences are generally attributable to changing circumstances or subject matter” (Guthrie 553). With arguing that Colossians is not written by Paul then Ephesians should also be questioned. It is said that either Ephesians is dependent on Colossians or Colossians is dependent on Ephesians. Guthrie also claims that, ““The strongest arguments in support of its authenticity are the indisputable nature of the external evidence and the inseparable connection of the epistle with Philemon” (Guthrie). There are also arguments that claim that the heresy in Colossians is second century Gnosticism. Despite all of the arguments it is evident that Paul is the author and evidence of this is shown in Colossians 1:1, 1:23, 4:18 where he speaks of himself in first person. There is evidence that Tychicus is the carrier of both Ephesians and Colossians. Not only does Paul refer to himself like he does in all of the epistles, but Colossians...
An awareness of the historical-cultural background of Paul’s letter to Philemon will aid in interpretation of the text. The information gleamed should allow for a greater contextual appreciation. With this knowledge in hand, the reader can grasp a deeper understanding of the theological teachings of the book of Philemon.
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition Bible. Eds. Dom Bernand Orchard, Rev. R. V. Fuller. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1966. Print.
Grayston, Kenneth. The Letters of Paul to the Philippians and to the Thessalonians. CBC. London: Cambridge U.P., 1967.
New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1997. Osborne, Grant R. Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002.
In II Thessalonians itself, and in secondary sources, there is evidence to support the theories that Paul wrote II Thessalonians as well as the first letter but also that someone wrote II Thessalonians in his name. First Thessalonians was written from Corinth in about 51 AD. If Paul actually wrote the second letter, it was written shortly after that. If he did not, then it is hard to decide when the book of II Thessalonians was written. Since it is agreed that Paul wrote I Thessalonians, the text and style of II Thessalonians can be compared to it. If things such as vocabulary and style differ between the two, it shows that Paul may not have written II Thessalonians. An example of this is found in II Thessalonians 1:3 and again 2:13. The verses have the phrase, "we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters…"
Metzger, B.M. & Coogan, M.D. “The Oxford Companion to the Bible”. Oxford University Press. New York, NY. (1993). P. 806-818.
Bray, Gerald. Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. New Testament VI Romans. (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1998)
New Revised Standard Version. New York: American Bible Society, 1989. Print. The. Russell, Eddie.
Talbert, Charles H. Ephesians and Colossians. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007The New Interpreter's Bible: General Articles and Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections for Each Book of the Bible, Including the Apocryphal deuterocanonical Books. Vol. XI. Nashville: Abingdon Press, ©1994-2004.
Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version. New York: American Bible Society, 1995. Print. (BS195 .C66 1995)
Johnson, S. Lewis. “Studies in the Epistle to the Colossians.” Bibliotheca Sacra 118 (1961): 147.
Wisner, Bacon. Benjamin. The fourth Gospel in research and debate; a series of essays on problems concerning the origin and value of the anonymous writings attributed to the apostle John (1910). New York: Moffat, Yard and company, 2006.