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How much time elapsed between the writing of 1 and 2 Thessalonians?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Both epistles were written by Paul, as noted very plainly in each in each greeting. The 2nd letter was probably written just a few months later, in an effort to firm up and bolster what Paul had written in his previous letter to a new, and somewhat easily swayed young church.
Jekku
Scholars estimate that 2 Thessalonians was written shortly after 1 Thessalonians, likely within a few months to a year. This is supported by the similar themes, language, and urgency present in both letters.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThus the elapsed time between the two epistles would be at least thirty years and possibly as much as fifty years.
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When was 2 Thessalonians written?
Other answers from our community:There is much evidence to support the early date of around 51 AD as mentioned in the first answer above. The late date obviously excludes the possibility of Pauline authorship, since Paul is believed to have been martyred at the latest in 68 AD and probably earlier. Contrary to skeptical assertions there is actually more evidence in favor of the authenticity of 2 Thessalonians and by implication, if liberal scholars accept 1 Thessalonians, they are then obliged to accept 2 Thessalonians since it has greater weight of evidence.The question of authorship seems inextricably to be connected with the question of the date. The arguments for non-pauline authorship connected with a late date and those in favor of Pauline authorship the earlier date. The possibility of non-Pauline authorship at an early date seems not to arise since authenticity would have been even more difficult to prove since Paul and his companions were around to check.The implications of the argument below are used to cast doubt upon the authenticity of 2 Thessalonians:"In fact, 2 Thessalonians 2:2 implicitly tells the reader that forged Pauline letters had been circulating. Whether or not this was a genuine Pauline epistle, this statement certainly warns us that not all Paul's epistles were authentic."Even though it is not stated explicitly, since the subject of this question is 2 Thessalonians, then, by implication it is seeking to cast doubt on its authenticity. (if not, then the argument is totally irrelevant to the question) The fact is, if we assume for a moment (for the sake of argument) that such were true, then the 'forger' of 2 Thessalonians who purported to be Paul by putting Paul's name to the letter, was not a very clever person. He specifically alerted his readers to the fact that the very letter they were reading could possibly be a fake and not from Paul at all. Thus they would have been alerted and checked thoroughly its credentials.Thus, such an argument is logically flawed. A forger does not advertise his forgery. Even further, the whole argument is flawed in that it does not at all imply that because there were some forgeries around that any of the letters we have with Pauline attribution and Pauline characteristics were among them. In fact it is more likely that what we do have, as people would have been watching out, since alerted by Paul himself, and undoubtedly others of this fact. Among others this is possibly one reason why we know that the early Christians were particularly careful about who wrote what, since they regarded apostolic authority as important.2 Thessalonians 2:2 (King James Version) 2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.Thus we see the unlikelihood of such an alleged forgery applying in this case. In turn this rather points towards authenticity since Paul would have no problem whatsoever with his credentials being checked. This in fact may well be part of the implication of what Paul wrote in the verse immediately below. Other Epistles of Paul were circulating and his signature, written in his own handwriting (as being different from the scribe or secretary who wrote the letter for him) was one method of checking authenticity. This is particularly relevant to the claims made above, since although Paul frequently used a secretary, he did not always draw attention to his signature. He undoubtedly did so here because of the previous non-genuine article.2 Thessalonians 3:17 (King James Version) 17The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. Attestation to 2 Thessalonians As stated above "Many liberal Christian scholars now accept ... 1 Thessalonians as (a) genuine Pauline epistle(s)."The implication is that they ought therefore to accept 2 Thessalonians since there is greater attestation to 2 Thessalonians than 1 Thessalonians. By attestation, scholars mean the evidence supporting a particular conclusion, in this case that Paul was the author.The evidence supporting 2 Thessalonians is both earlier and of greater breadth than the earlier epistle. It is mentioned by Justin Martyr in his Dialogue with Trypho , chap.110. It is mentioned by Irenaeus who ascribes it to Paul and names it. Tertullian quotes it as being by the 'apostle' who is most certainly Paul, as there is no suggestion that this could apply to anyone else. Clement of Alexandria refers to 3:1-2 in his Stromata (5:3) The Muratorian Canon, Old Syriac, Old Latin and Marcion's Canon all include it.Source (this last paragraph): The New Unger's Bible Dictionary, Merril F. Unger. Moody, Chicago, 1988. p 1275.Other Pointers The vocabulary and style, together with the usual number of personal references made all add to the likelihood of the claims to Pauline authorship and an early date. Paul was personally acquainted with the persons to whom he refers and this makes it difficult for the letter to be fitted into the later non-Pauline period when such an author would not have been familiar with them.Arguments regarding subject matter have no bearing on Pauline authorship or non authorship since Paul wrote on a wide range of subjects as the occasion demanded. Any one individual other than Paul could have done the same, or any number of different persons. Paul, even in the letters unanimously agreed as being authentic dealt with whatever was the particular need in the church he was addressing at the time. The Thessalonians had a particular need for eschatology to be addressed. This proves nothing either for an early or late date."From the latter part of the first century, as the Church grew, we begin to find references to complaints about wandering preachers who demanded to be fed and looked after in each Christian community they visited. This is reflected in 2 Thessalonians, which has Paul claiming to work for his keep - in contrast to the earlier Pauline Epistle, 2 Corinthians 11:8-9, where Paul said that he received wages from other churches and sustenance from the Macedonians even while he was in Corinth, but asked no support from the Corinthians. Other references in 2 Corinthians confirm a late century date, suggesting that the epistle was written later than 75 CE."Before returning to the subject it is necessary to comment on assertions made in relation to 2 Corinthians. It was noted in the skeptical view above that this letter is accepted by even the liberal scholars as being genuinely Pauline. If this is so, then the liberal scholars would also need to assert, contrary to the evidence, that Paul was alive after even 68 AD which is the latest date at which scholars from both sides of the fence believe him to be alive. Many believe Paul to have died under the Neronian persecution a few years prior to this.Since the quote above is unsourced it is difficult to comment further, except to say that this would appear to be even outside the extremes of liberal scholarship.With regard to the assertions regarding wandering preachers and Paul:Firstly,there is vast difference between 'wandering preachers' and the apostle and founder of a church.Secondly, Paul explicitly described why he did not wish to be a burden to the Corinthians financially, especially given his prolonged stay in that place. He also worked on his craft with his host who was also a tentmaker, as his means of repaying the service, as well, such would have given opportunity for mutual fellowship and encouragement. It is also indicated in the narrative in Acts18:4 that he 'reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath'. Part of the traditional Jewish upbringing was to learn a craft - Paul demonstrated this by his work and also helped to reduce any unnecessary offense to the Jews in so doing.The fact that he received support from elsewhere was to their credit in Macedonia, as generosity was their forte and the Corinthians had other strengths. To make an argument for dating from this issue thus ignores the internal evidence of a whole range of New Testament documents.In addition, Paul felt it necessary to justify this activity, since there were evidently those who were questioning his authority on the basis of him not claiming wages. Thus he had specifically to deal with this in relation to his authority, otherwise it might have passed without comment.2 Corinthians 11:7-9 (King James Version) 7Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?8I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.9And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. Acts 18:1-3 (King James Version) 1After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;2And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome and came unto them.3And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.Thus it appears there is nothing relating to Paul's tentmaking work which requires a late date for 2 Thessalonians. The particular circumstances amply and straightforwardly account for it.Paul, during his second missionary journey, made a brief stay in Thessalonica, with evident success (see Acts 17:4). After this he traveled south through Berea and Athens and finally to Corinth. In Corinth he spent eighteen months (Acts 18:11). The two letters to the Thessalonians were written during this time. The first would have been written relatively early and Paul later received word that some of what he had said had been misunderstood. He thus quite naturally, took the opportunity to write again and correct the error. This would have thus been towards the end of his time in Corinth in late 51 AD or into early 52.There is no reason to date 2 Thessalonians late, since both its style and attestation are to Paul and to no other. This leads to the conclusion that it was, along with 1 Thessalonians, a genuine writing of Paul at the early date above.
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