2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians deals with a problem the first letter helped create: some concluded that the day of the Lord had already come or was so near that working was pointless. Paul corrects the expectation, explains that certain events still have to occur and, above all, insists on responsible ordinary life. The bluntest line is in chapter 3: "if anyone is not willing to work, don't let him eat" — said to people who had stopped out of a mistaken conviction, not to those who cannot find work. It is a short, practical letter and a good antidote to using eschatology as an excuse for everyday irresponsibility.