Have you had a time when you or someone else was leaving and as they were getting into the car or leaving to board an airplane you were saying as many things as possible to them because you knew you wouldn't see them again for a long time? It seems as though this is what Paul does at the end of his first letter. So many things to say. So many encouragements to give. So many instructions to impart. They come rapid fire; one right after another. It doesn't sound like someone barking a bunch of orders to be followed in his absence. It sounds more like a parent saying good by to an adult child who is moving away or headed to boot camp. At the end he sums it up with a powerful blessing. He prays that the grace of Jesus would be with them. The grace of Jesus pretty well covers every issue.
As he opens his second letter, he makes sure that they know that when Christ returns, He will setting things right by punishing the tormentors and giving relief to the tormented. He reminds them that our responsibility is to live Christlike lives. God is the one who makes us worthy of our callings, and His grace is what makes it possible for us to be identified with Jesus. We don't have to defend God. We just have to live as good ambassadors of His kingdom.
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