What is the subtitle of 2 Thessalonians?

• A. The Day of the Lord
• B. The Coming of Christ and Anti-Christ
• C. The Thessalonians in Trouble
• D. Encouraging Believers in Persecution

Answer: (D)

The main idea tested is the purpose of Paul’s message to Thessalonica: to strengthen and comfort believers who are facing pressure and persecution. This letter is aimed at encouraging them to endure, stand firm in their faith, and live out their calling despite hardship. That focus makes the subtitle “Encouraging Believers in Persecution” the best fit, because it directly reflects the letter’s pastoral tone and goal—to uplift and sustain the saints under trial.

While the Day of the Lord is a significant theme within the book, it isn’t the overarching aim or title of the entire epistle. The option about the coming of Christ and the anti-Christ points to a specific topic rather than the broader purpose of the letter. The idea of Thessalonians in trouble describes a situation the church faces but doesn’t capture the letter’s primary aim to encourage and exhort. So the chosen subtitle best matches the book’s overall purpose.