Idleness
Idle behavior is condemned, not because inactivity is contrary to the gospel, but because it needlessly disrupts the life and work of the persecuted community of faith (3:10-15). Evangelists who do not support themselves do not conform to the pattern of the apostles’ ministry (3:6-9) and may bring disrepute upon the gospel.
Jesus’ second coming
The letter does not mention Jesus’ death or resurrection but focuses on what he is yet to do when he will be “revealed from heaven” (1:7), vindicating believers and destroying evil. The description of Christ’s return (1:5-2:12) acknowledges the reality of evil, reaffirms God’s justice, and asserts Christ’s supremacy over forces of lawlessness that will be annihilated merely by “the breath of his mouth” (2:8).
Persecution, vengeance, and eternal destruction
Assurances of retribution upon persecutors expand to encompass the destruction of those who do not know God or obey the gospel (1:6-10). In other books PaulA Christian missionary who once persecuted the church More speaks of Christ’s return in terms of how it will benefit believers; 2 Thessalonians describes the event as bringing about the destruction of enemies, to declare that God will prove to be just, despite the proliferation of lawlessness in the world.
