Since Jesus' revelation was so new and even startling, it was not always easy for the early Christians to interpret it correctly. Hence some of the New Testament writings instruct them to realize that an incorrect interpretation of true doctrine will frequently lead to bad morality or at least to bad practice. As an Apostle, Paul felt that he had the right to be accepted and looked after by the communities he founded but he did not insist on this right and rather worked for his livelihood. His right did not relieve him of his responsibility to give good example.

Christian faith teaches that Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead. An incorrect interpretation of this true doctrine, especially the supposition that Jesus' return would come very soon, led some of the Thessalonians to imagine that they could suspend the duties of ordinary life and simply wait for Jesus to come. Even worse, they interfered with everyone else's life and work. Jesus, of course, never taught such irresponsibility. From time to time this phenomenon recurs when someone foolishly announces that the world will end on a certain date.

The day of the Lord is God's gift and cannot be calculated.