The instruction that Paul sent the Thessalonians in his first epistle regarding the second coming of Christ, was in perfect harmony with his former teaching. Yet his words were misapprehended by some of the Thessalonian brethren. They understood him to express the hope that he himself would live to witness the Saviour's advent. This belief served to increase their enthusiasm and excitement. Those who had previously neglected their responsibilities and duties, now became more persistent in urging their erroneous views.

I sit andet brev søgte Paulus at rette denne misforståelse af hans lære og fremsatte sin virkelige indstilling for dem. Atter gav han udtryk for sin tillid til deres retskaffenhed og sin taknemmelighed, fordi deres tro var så stærk og fordi de havde så stor kærlighed til hinanden og til tjenesten for deres Herre. Han fortalte dem, at han overfor andre menigheder fremhævede dem som et eksempel på tålmodig, udholdende tro, der tappert modstår forfølgelse og trængsel; og han henledte deres tanker til tiden for Kristi genkomst, når Guds folk skal få hvile for deres bekymringer og tvivlrådighed.