1:1–2 Review · Epistolary Salutation: This second epistle begins exactly as 1 Thessalonians did, using nearly identical wording. The only difference between this text and 1 Thessalonians 1:1 is that God is here called “our Father” (cf. Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:3–4; Eph. 1:2; Phil. 1:2; 4:20; Col. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:3; 3:11–12; 2 Thess. 2:16; Philem. 3), echoing the prayer Jesus taught the disciples (Matt. 6:9). Paul and his associates also add here that grace and peace come “from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” placing the Lord Jesus along with the Father as the agent of salvation.

1:3–12 · Thanksgiving and Prayers for the Faith, Love, and Steadfastness of the Persecuted Thessalonians: The apostles begin the second epistle with a thanksgiving to God for the church…