How were Paul's views in 1 Thessalonians different from those in 2 Thessalonians?

Answer 1

A:There is general consensus among New Testament scholars that 1 Thessalonians was actually written by Paul himself, but most scholars accept that 2 Thessalonians was actually written some decades after Paul's death. 2 Thessalonians is thought to be an imitation of 1 Thessalonians, but it lacks the personal warmth, reminiscences and references characteristic of Paul's authentic letters. It was common practice for authors to warn their readers to avoid books falsely written in the name of Jesus' apostles, especially in books that were themselves forgeries since that gave reassurance that the present book was genuine. In this way, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 cautions against letters falsely penned in Paul's name.

Almost one third of the second letter is a verbatim copy from the first, but the eschatology reflects later Christian apocalyptic thinking. In 1 Thessalonians the parousia, the coming of Jesus from heaven as apocalyptic judge and redeemer, is imminent. Paul actually expects the second coming in his own lifetime (1 Thessalonians 4:15). The second epistle no longer gives hope that Jesus will return within the lifetime of its readers. In this respect, the two epistles can be compared to the gospels, with Mark, the earliest narrative gospel, having Jesus promise to return within the lifetime of some of those to whom he spoke and Matthew portraying the second coming as far into the future.

2 Thessalonians is dramatically different in that God will reward believers and wreak vengeance on those who do not believe and obey (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9): "the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction . . ."