The authenticity and genuineness of this Epistle have been challenged since the beginning of the present century.* Its integrity has also been questioned on the assumed ground of a combination of a genuine Pauline epistle with interpo- lated matter (P. W. Schmidt). It has been ascribed to
*J.E. C. Schmidt, DeWette, Kern, Baur, Hilgenfeld, Pfleiderer, Weiz- sacker, Loman, Holtzmann, Schmiedel,
Timothy. Attempts have also been made to prove that it was earlier in date than the first Epistle (Hwald, Baur, Davidson); but there seems to be, on the whole, no suf- ficient reason for refusing it a place among the genuine Pauline Epistles. The external testimony in its favor is ancient and good, while the resemblances in manner and phraseology to the other Pauline writings cannot be evaded. The vocabulary is Pauline. The list of non-Pauline words is small and not important. As distinguished from all other Pauline letters, the two Thessalonian epistles exhibit a striking relationship, extending to sequences of thought, articulation of sentences, and peculiar expressions and usages. In not a few cases, the same subjects are treated with almost the same words.* Both letters have an eschato- logical drift ; both exhibit, without specially emphasising it, the writer’s apostolic consciousness; both treat moral ques- tions from the religious point of view.t
The second Epistle appears to have been written some months after the first, because of some later information received by Paul, who was probably still in Corinth. The circumstances of the church were substantially the same, although there appears to have been a growth in faith and charity G. 8, 4); but the idea of the imminent second coming of the Lord had assumed such proportions as to cause restlessness and impatience, and a measure of social disorganisation and fanaticism. A spurious epistle in Paul’s name, announcing the immediate advent of the Lord, appears to have been circulated (ii. 2). The main design of this second letter is to correct false views concerning the second advent, and to rebuke the idleness and disorder into which some of the Thessalonian Christians had fallen. DLL ORI TEL EEE OE
* Comp., for instance, 2 Th. i. 1-7 ; ii. 18-17 ; ifi. 1, 8, 12, and 1 Th. i. 3, 4£., 6, 7; ii. 13, 15, 16; iii. 8, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.
+ The authenticity of the 2d Epistle is defended by Jowett, Godet, Weiss, Liinemann, Schenkel, Reuss, Bleek, Renan, Salmon, Klépper, Jiilicher, Bornemann, Zahn, McGiffert.
COMMENTARIES, ETC., ON THE THESSALONIAN LETTERS.*