2 Thessalonians

Written shortly after the first letter, the tone here is much sterner. A rumor—or perhaps a fake letter pretending to be from Paul—had spread claiming that the "Day of the Lord" had already happened, causing panic. Paul writes to calm them down. He explains that Jesus' return hasn't happened yet because certain prophetic events, specifically the rebellion and the revelation of the "Man of Lawlessness," must occur first.

Paul also tackles a practical problem caused by bad theology. Some people were so convinced Jesus was coming back tomorrow that they quit their jobs and were living off others' charity. Paul issues a sharp command: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." This letter concludes Paul's letters to churches. The next group of letters represents a major shift; they are written not to congregations, but to pastors, starting with 1 Timothy.