Category: n) 2 Thess.

Our text begins here, and the thought ends in verse.  It is an admonition against walking in a disorderly fashion.  The word disorderly means, “irregularly (morally), : — disorderly (Strong). It seems in the context that such a disorderly walk came about through idleness.  As Proverbs 18:9 says, “He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.”

Paul offers himself up as an example to follow, an example of one who was industrious! He did not impose upon the generosity of others. Instead, he worked.  His purpose in working was to assure his ability to independently preach the gospel, without fearing resentment and false claims of manipulation.

Finally, this in no way indicated that Paul did not have a right to be supported.  His right is clearly stated by him in 1 Corinthians 9. However, “to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us” (9), he supported himself as a tentmaker (Acts 18:1-4).

Paul was industrious, we should be the same! After all, Idleness is the Devil’s workshop!

These two verses constitute a prayer, a petition made to God by Paul on behalf of the Thessalonians.  The first verse of the prayer is an identification of God.  The second verse of the prayer is the petition made.

Regarding the identification made, it is interesting that Jesus Christ is first mentioned, then the Father.  Nothing else should be ascertained about this, other than the fact that the Father and the Son are so unified in their work and desires (cf. John 17) that there is no great significance in their order or appearance.

Regardless, God loves us, and by His Son He saved us, giving us consolation and hope by the extension of His grace.

Now about the petition.  It was Paul’s desire that God comfort them. In other words, that the same consolation and hope would continue, and work in them. Paul desired that God would establish them (in every good word and work, cf. Ephesians 2:10). They would be persecuted and harmed from without and within. With God’s help their faith would not waver.

Our text gives more details concerning the “son of perdition” (3) whose coming predated the final day of judgment. While the passage is a difficult one, the previous teaching that Paul had given to the Thessalonians when he was with them (5) would have made it clearer to them.

For us, it is important to note that the day of the Lord hadn’t come because the “son of perdition” had not yet been revealed.  This individual, whoever he was, was to be defeated before the day of judgment. Up to that point, something (we do not know exactly what) had been holding back the revelation of the “son of perdition.” It has been suggested that some power (maybe God, maybe Satan) has held him back, but when revealed, God would defeat him.

Regardless, he would deceive many before his fall.  This is the reason Paul wrote his letter.  He wanted warn of the danger, and dispossess some of the view that the day of the Lord had come.  He was successful on both counts.

This passage is one of the most difficult in the New Testament. The difficulty comes in our not knowing the oral teaching of Paul, who had already spoken to the Thessalonians about the subject (2:5). So, let us instead focus on what we can know.

First, the Thessalonians were challenged in their understanding of Christ’s second coming. Some thought it to be imminent (2:2), though the letter was written at an early date (about 51 AD).

Second, Paul assured them that the day of Christ was not yet present, because two events would have to happen before its occurrence. One, a falling away. (There have been numerous apostasies since the writing of this passage). Second, the revelation of the “man of sin”, the “son of perdition.” (While it is difficult to say who this is, it can again be said that many individuals through the last two centuries can be described in this way). (2:3-4)

So, while it is difficult for us to understand exactly what these two events are, there is no reason to think that the events are still in the future. The Lord has not come, but He could at any time (2 Peter 3:8-13).

Christians are loved by God. Before the world was created, God chose them for salvation (cf. Ephesians 1:4) – the elect of God. This election, as noted by Paul, is accomplished through sanctification. The Holy Spirit separates us from the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are made holy through the blood of Jesus Christ, and as such obtain His glory.

This is a concise description of our redemption. We are saved by the grace of God, expressed through the sacrifice of the Savior. Saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are God’s workmanship, “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

This is why Paul, in giving thanks for the Thessalonians, admonishes them to “stand fast and hold the traditions you were taught” (vs. 15). Such is the only appropriate response to God’s grace, (cf. Titus 2:11-12).

Paul’s gracious prayer for the Thessalonians acknowledges that it is according to God’s grace that they would be glorified in the Lord Jesus Christ (vs. 12). This statement brings to mind two important considerations. First, we are saved by grace. Our glorification is a direct result of Christ’s gift, as He died on the cross for our sins. Second, to be glorified, we must be recipients of that grace.

Paul prayed that the Thessalonians would be counted “worthy of this calling” by God. It is God alone who determines whether one is or is not worthy. As revealed in the preceding verses, those who are not found worthy are punished with “everlasting destruction” (vs. 9), while the worthy are granted rest, “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels” (vs. 7).

Here Paul enlarges on the blessings of being found worthy. Those who are “fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness.” Again, it about God, not ourselves. Even when we have done all, we admit “We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do” (Luke 17:10). When we live for Jesus Christ, His name is glorified in our obedience — and as a result, we too will be glorified as the result of our association with Him.

Paul’s introductory words in his second letter to the Thessalonians is typical of his letters in that it contains an invocation to God on their behalf, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1).

There are two things to note in these first two verses. First, the inclusion of Silvanus in the salutation. The name is found only here, in his first letter to the Thessalonians, 2 Corinthians 1:19 and 1 Peter 5:12. However, the man is readily identified by the Greek variation of the name, Silas, one of Paul’s travel companions.

The more interesting phrase is “the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” It clearly indicates that such phrases are not proper names, but descriptions of a group. This group lived in Thessalonica, and were “in” God and Jesus. This means they had a relationship with the Father and the Son. This was a congregation of Christians.

This is the biblical use of the term church, and does not in any way coincide with the denominational use of the term in our time.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

The apostle Paul suffered a great deal because of his ministry in the gospel. He was constantly in peril, and coveted the prayers of the saints for protection. His petition here is especially specific, as he requested protection from “unreasonable and wicked men.”

Why are some men wicked? Because, “not all have faith.” Those without faith are often actively antagonistic toward Christ.

Such a sobering reality is certainly cause for prayer, but not for despair. Despite the antagonism of the worldly, Paul had reason for comfort and confidence. “But the Lord is faithful.” (cf. Romans 8:31).
Not only was Paul confident in God’s faithfulness, he was confident in the faithfulness of the Thessalonians. They were doing God’s will, and he believed they would continue to be faithful to Him.

This prayer was that their hearts (referencing both devotion and will) would be directed into the Love of God (indicating a love for God, seen in obedience) and the Patience of Christ (indicating a need for the same patience evinced by the Savior Himself in His life on earth). A wonderful prayer indeed!

2 Thessalonians 1:3-10

A common circumstance of Christians in the first century was the suffering of persecution for the kingdom’s sake. Paul referred in this text to the “persecutions and tribulations” that the Thessalonians had endured.

He commended them for their perseverance, and promised them that God would “give you who are troubled rest” at the Advent of Christ.

The reason for the promise is the character of Almighty God. “It is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble” His children, and to give His children rest “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels” (cf. vs. 6-7).

Because of who God is (His person and character) we can be assured that he will treat us fairly in judgment. That is a reason for the ungodly to fear, but it is a basis for our hope and comfort as we live righteously in His service.