Who Wrote This Book:  Paul the apostle is the stated author (1:1; 3:17).  The vocabulary, style and doctrinal content support this claim.  The external evidence for the second letter is even stronger than the first one.

Date of Writing:  Paul writes his second letter a few months after sending the first letter to the Thessalonians in A. D. 50-51 from Corinth.  These two letters are among the earliest of Paul’s writings and the New Testament books.

Written To:  People of Corinth

Why It Was Written:  The major emphasis of Second Thessalonians is doctrine concerning the Second Coming.  There will be a future time of judgment coming when God will settle His accounts (1:5-10).  Paul corrects their misunderstanding about the Day of the Lord (2:1).  Some in the church had fallen into the error of thinking that the day had already arrived, however Paul instructs them that certain events must occur first.  Before the day commences there will be an all-out rebellion against God (2:3).  Many will revolt on a world–wide scale against their Creator.  There will be the revealing of the man of lawlessness (2:3b).  As Christ shall be revealed in His "time" even so shall the antichrist.  He is a mystery to be unfolded and made manifest.  The terrible judgment which is to come upon him and all those who follow him is sharply contrasted by the glory of Christ in which all the elect shall share.

Key Verses:

2 Thessalonians 1:8  He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord jesus. (NIV)

2 Thessalonians 2:3:  Don't  let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

2 Thessalonians 2:12:  And so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. (NIV)

2 Thessalonians 3:5:  May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

2 Thessalonians 3:13:   And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.(NIV)