5:19 y Eph. 4:30
5:20 z Acts 13:1; 1 Cor. 14:1, 31
5:21 a 1 Cor. 14:29; 1 John 4:1
5:21 b Phil. 4:8
5:23 c Phil. 4:9
5:23 d 1 Thess. 3:13
5:23 e 1 Cor. 1:8, 9
5:23 7 set you apart
5:24 f (1 Cor. 10:13); 2 Thess. 3:3
5:24 g Phil. 1:6
5:27 8 letter
5:27 9 NU omits holy
Introduction to Second Thessalonians
Title
In the Greek NT, 2 Thessalonians is listed as “To the Thessalonians.” This represents the Apostle Paul’s second canonical correspondence to the fellowship of believers in the city of Thessalonica (cf. 1:1).
Author and Date
Paul, as in 1 Thessalonians, identified himself twice as the author of this letter (1:1; 3:17). Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy, Paul’s co-laborers in founding the church, were present with him when he wrote. Evidence, both within this letter and with regard to vocabulary, style, and doctrinal content, strongly supports Paul as the only possible author. The time of this writing was surely a few months after the first epistle, while Paul was still in Corinth with Silas and Timothy (1:1; Acts 18:5) in late A.D. 51 or early A.D. 52 (see Introduction to 1 Thessalonians: Author and Date).
Background and Setting
For the history of Thessalonica, see Introduction to 1 Thessalonians: Background and Setting. Some have suggested that Paul penned this letter from Ephesus (Acts 18:18–21), but his 18 month stay in Corinth provided ample time for both of the Thessalonian epistles to be authored (Acts 18:11).
Apparently, Paul had stayed apprised of the happenings in Thessalonica through correspondence and/or couriers. Perhaps the bearer of the first letter brought Paul back an update on the condition of the church, which had matured and expanded (1:3); but pressure and persecution had also increased. The seeds of false doctrine concerning the Lord had been sown, and the people’s behavior was disorderly. So Paul wrote to his beloved flock who were: 1) discouraged by persecution and needed incentive to persevere; 2) deceived by false teachers who confused them about the Lord’s return; and 3) disobedient to divine commands, particularly by refusing to work. Paul wrote to address those 3 issues by offering: 1) comfort for the persecuted believers (1:3–12); 2) correction for the falsely taught and frightened believers (2:1–15); and 3) confrontation for the disobedient and undisciplined believers (3:6–15).
Historical and Theological Themes
Although chaps. 1,2 contain much prophetic material because the main issue was a serious misunderstanding generated by false teachers about the coming Day of the Lord (Paul reveals that the Day had not come and would not until certain other events occur), it is still best to call this “a pastoral letter.” The emphasis is on how to maintain a healthy church with an effective testimony in proper response to sound eschatology and obedience to the truth.
Eschatology dominates the theological issues. One of the clearest statements on personal eschatology for unbelievers is found in 1:9. Church discipline is the major focus of 3:6-15, which needs to be considered along with Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; Gal. 6:1-5, and 1 Tim. 5:19, 20 for understanding the complete Biblical teaching on this theme.
Interpretive Challenges
Eternal reward and retribution are discussed in 1:5-12 in such general terms that it is difficult precisely to identify some of the details with regard to exact timing. Matters concerning the Day of the Lord (2:2), the restrainer (2:6, 7), and the lawless one (2:3, 4, 8-10) provide challenging prophetic material to interpret.
Outline
I. Paul’s Greeting (1:1, 2)
II. Paul’s Comfort for Affliction (1:3-12)
A. By Way of Encouragement (1:3, 4)
B. By Way of Exhortation (1:5-12)
III. Paul’s Correction for Prophetic Error (2:1-17)
A. Prophetic Crisis (2:1, 2)
B. Apostolic Correction (2:3-12)
C. Pastoral Comfort (2:13-17)
IV. Paul’s Concern for the Church (3:1-15)
A. Regarding Prayer (3:1-5)
B. Regarding Undisciplined Living (3:6-15)
V. Paul’s Benediction (3:16-18)
The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the
THESSALONIANS
2 Thessalonians 1
Greeting
1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2aGrace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
God’s Final Judgment and Glory
3We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
4so that bwe ourselves boast of you among the churches of God cfor your patience and faith din all your persecutions and 1tribulations that you endure,
5which is emanifest2 evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, ffor which you also suffer;
6gsince it is a righteous thing with God to repay with 3tribulation those who trouble you,
7and to give you who are troubled hrest with us when ithe Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
8in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9jThese shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and kfrom the glory of His power,
10when He comes, in that Day, lto be mglorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who 4believe, because our testimony among you was believed.
11Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would ncount you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and othe work of faith with power,
12pthat the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2
The Great Apostasy
1Now, brethren, aconcerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ band our gathering together to Him, we ask you,
2cnot to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of 1Christ had come.
3Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come dunless the falling away comes first, and ethe man of 2sin is revealed, fthe son of perdition,
4who opposes and gexalts himself habove all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits 3as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
5Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
6And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
7For ithe 4mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only 5He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
8And then the lawless one will be revealed, jwhom the Lord will consume kwith the breath of His mouth and destroy lwith the brightness of His coming.
9The coming of the lawless one is maccording to the working of Satan, with all power, nsigns, and lying wonders,
10and with all unrighteous deception among othose who perish, because they did not receive pthe love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11And qfor this reason God will send them strong delusion, rthat they should believe the lie,
12that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but shad pleasure in unrighteousness.
Stand Fast
13But we are 6bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God tfrom the beginning uchose you for salvation vthrough 7sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
14to which He called you by our gospel, for wthe obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15Therefore, brethren, xstand fast and hold ythe traditions w
hich you were taught, whether by word or our 8epistle.
16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, zwho has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and agood hope by grace,
17comfort your hearts band 9establish you in every good word and work.
2 Thessalonians 3
Pray for Us
1Finally, brethren, apray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,
2and bthat we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; cfor not all have faith.
3But dthe Lord is faithful, who will establish you and eguard you from the evil one.
4And fwe have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
5Now may gthe Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
Warning Against Idleness
6But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, hthat you withdraw ifrom every brother who walks jdisorderly and not according to the tradition which 1he received from us.
7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;
8nor did we eat anyone’s bread 2free of charge, but worked with klabor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,
9not because we do not have lauthority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
11For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are mbusybodies.
12Now those who are such we command and 3exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ nthat they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
13But as for you, brethren, odo not grow weary in doing good.
14And if anyone does not obey our word in this 4epistle, note that person and pdo not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15qYet do not count him as an enemy, rbut 5admonish him as a brother.
Benediction
16Now may sthe Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
17tThe salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every 6epistle; so I write.
18uThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
2 Thessalonians Commentaries
2 Thessalonians 1
1:1, 2 See note on 1 Thess. 1:1.
1:3 bound to thank. There is a spiritual obligation to thank God in prayer when He accomplishes great things in the lives of His saints. That was the case with the obedient Thessalonians, who had demonstrated growth in faith and love since the first letter. This was in direct answer to Paul’s prayers (cf. 1 Thess. 1:3; 3:12).
1:4 patience and faith. Nowhere was their growth in faith and love (v. 3) more evident than in the way they patiently and faithfully endured hostilities and suffering from the enemies of Christ. Although there was no need to speak, since the Thessalonians’ lives spoke clearly enough (1 Thess. 1:8), Paul’s joy before the Lord over their perseverance bubbled up.
1:5 suffer. Having a right attitude toward suffering is essential, and that required attitude is concern for the kingdom of God. They were not self-centered, but concentrated on God’s kingdom. Their focus was not on personal comfort, fulfillment, and happiness, but on the glory of God and the fulfillment of His purposes. They were not moaning about the injustice of their persecutions. Rather, they were patiently enduring the sufferings they did not deserve (v. 4). This very attitude was “manifest evidence” or positive proof that God’s wise process of purging, purifying, and perfecting through suffering was working to make His beloved people worthy of the kingdom (cf. 2:12) by being perfected (cf. James 1:2–4; 1 Pet. 5:10). For believers, afflictions are to be expected (cf. 1 Thess. 3:3) as they live and develop Christian character in a satanic world. Suffering is not to be thought of as evidence that God has forsaken them, but evidence that He is with them, perfecting them (cf. Matt. 5:10; Rom 8:18; 2 Cor. 12:10). So the Thessalonians demonstrated that their salvation, determined by faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ, was genuine because they, like Christ, were willing to suffer on account of God and His kingdom. They suffered unjustly as objects of man’s wrath against Christ and His kingdom (Acts 5:41; Phil. 3:10; Col. 1:24). “Kingdom of God” is used here in its spiritual sense of salvation (see note on Matt. 3:2).
1:6 God to repay. Just as the righteous judgment of God works to perfect believers (v. 5), so it works to “repay” the wicked (cf. v. 8). Vindication and retribution are to be exercised by God, not man, in matters of spiritual persecution (cf. Deut. 32:35; Prov. 25:21, 22; Rom. 12:19–21; 1 Thess. 5:15; Rev. 19:2). When God repays and how God repays are to be determined by Him.
1:7 rest with us. Paul was a fellow-sufferer for the just cause of Christ. He, like the Thessalonians, hoped for that ultimate rest and reward for their suffering for the kingdom that was to come when Christ returned to judge the ungodly. The Lord Jesus promised this two-fold coming for rest and retribution (cf. Matt. 13:40–43; 24:39–41; 25:31–33; Luke 21:27, 28, 34–36; John 5:24–29). when the Lord Jesus is revealed. This undoubtedly refers to Christ being unveiled in His coming as Judge. The first aspect of this revealing occurs at the end of the 7 year tribulation period (cf. Matt. 13:24–30, 36–43; 24:29–51; 25:31–46; Rev. 19:11–15). The final and universal revelation of Christ as Judge occurs at the Great White Throne judgment following Christ’s millennial reign on the earth (Rev. 20:11–15). Angels always accompany Christ in His coming for judgment (cf. Matt 13:41, 49; 24:30, 31; 25:31; Rev. 14:14, 15).
1:8 in flaming fire. Fire is a symbol of judgment (cf. Ex. 3:2; 19:16–20; Deut. 5:4; Ps. 104:4; Is. 66:15, 16; Matt. 3:11, 12; Rev. 19:12). taking vengeance. Lit. these words mean “to give full punishment” (cf. Deut. 32:35; Is. 59:17; 66:15; Ezek. 25:14; Rom. 12:19). do not know God. Cf. 1 Thess. 4:5. This speaks to the lack of a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ (cf. John 17:3; Gal. 4:8; Eph. 2:12; 4:17, 18; Titus 1:16). Retribution is not dealt out because of persecuting Christians, but rather because they did not obey God’s command to believe (cf. Acts 17:30, 31; Rom. 1:5; 10:16; 15:18; 16:19) and call upon the name of the Lord to be saved from their sin (Rom. 10:9–13; 1 Cor. 16:22; Heb. 10:26–31). Salvation is never obtained by works but always by placing one’s faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8–10).
1:9 everlasting destruction. See note on Matt. 25:46. Paul explained the duration and extent of what is elsewhere in Scripture called “hell.” First, it is forever, thus it is not a reversible experience. Second, destruction means ruin and does not involve annihilation, but rather a new state of conscious being which is significantly worse than the first (cf. Rev. 20:14, 15). This is described as the absence of God’s presence and glory (cf. Matt. 8:12; 22:13; 25:30; Luke 16:24–26).
1:10 when He comes. When the Day of the Lord arrives bringing retribution and ruin for unbelievers. As Christ’s great glory is displayed the result will be rest and relief for believers and the privilege of sharing His glory (cf. Phil. 3:21; 1 John 3:2). This is the “glorious manifestation” of believers of which Paul spoke (Rom. 8:18, 19). At the time, all believers will adore and worship Him, including those in the Thessalonian church who believed Paul’s testimony of the gospel.
1:11 we also pray. Paul’s prayer life is exemplified 4 times in this letter (cf. v. 12; 2:16, 17; 3:1–5, 16). Here he prayed as he did in v. 5, that they might behave in ways consistent with their identity as Christians (cf. 1 Thess. 2:19; Eph. 4:1; Col. 1:10), living up to their “calling to salvation” (cf. Rom 8:30; 11:29; Gal. 4:13–15; 1 Cor. 1:26; Col. 1:3–5; 1 Thess. 2:12) with lives marked by goodness and powerful works of faith.
1:12 that. The worthy walk of v. 11 allows God to be glorified in us, the light of all purposes (cf. 2:14; 1 Cor. 10:31; 1 Pet. 4:11).
2 Thessalonians 2
2:1 coming o
f our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the fifth mention of Christ’s coming in the Thessalonian letters (cf. 1 Thess. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; see note at 1 Thess. 2:19). The aspect of His particular coming in view here is identified by the next phrase “our gathering together,” which conveys the idea of all believers meeting together with the Lord Jesus, obviously referring to the rapture of the church described in 1 Thess. 4:13–18 and John 14:1–3. Cf. Heb. 10:25 for the only other use of this phrase in the NT. This was the event the Thessalonians were anticipating (cf. 1 Thess. 1:10; 3:13; 5:9).
2:2 soon shaken. This term has been used of an earthquake (Acts 16:26) and a ship at anchor slipping its mooring in the midst of a heavy wind. Along with the word “troubled,” it describes the state of agitation and alarm that had gripped the church. They were greatly distressed because they had expected the Rapture, the gathering together to the Lord, to take place before the Day of the Lord. They had expected to be taken to glory and heavenly rest, not left to persecution and divine wrath. Paul must have taught them that they would miss the Day of the Lord (1 Thess. 5:2–5; cf. Rev. 3:10), but they had become confused by the persecution they were experiencing, thinking they may have been in the Day of the Lord. This error had been reinforced by some messages to them claiming that they were indeed in the Day of the Lord. Paul noted the source of these as “spirit,” “word,” and “letter.” A “spirit” would most likely refer to a false prophet claiming divine revelation as in 1 John 4:1–3. A “word” would refer to a sermon or speech given, while a “letter” indicated a written report. The powerful but harmful effect of this false information was gained by claiming it was from the Apostle Paul (“as if from us”). Whoever was telling them they were in the Day of the Lord claimed that it came from Paul who heard it, preached it, and wrote it. Thus their lie was given supposed apostolic sanction. The result was shock, fear, and alarm. Obviously, they had expected the Rapture before the Day of the Lord. For if they had expected it after, they would have rejoiced because Christ’s coming was to be soon. Apostolic authenticity in this letter which corrects the error was important and accounts for Paul’s care to close the letter in his distinctive handwriting (3:17; cf. Gal. 6:11). the day of Christ. The better text sources indicate “the Lord” rather than “Christ,” (see note on 1 Thess. 5:2 for discussion of this “day”). The idea that the Day of the Lord had already come conflicted with what Paul had previously taught them about the Rapture. This error, which so upset the Thessalonians, is what Paul corrected in vv. 3–12, where he showed that the day hadn’t come and couldn’t until certain realities were in place, most especially “the man of sin” (v. 3).
The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV Page 621
