Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians addressed two main concerns in the Thessalonian church.
The first is related to the matter of the return of the Lord Jesus. Of particular concern for Paul was a letter that came to the region, supposedly from the apostles, stating that the day of the Lord had already come (see 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3). Paul takes a moment here to tell the Thessalonians that the day of the Lord would first be preceded by the coming of a lawless antichrist. He challenges the church to be ready for this man of lawlessness by standing firm in the truth he had personally taught them.
The second matter of concern for Paul was that he had heard there were idle people in the church. He challenges the church to rebuke any such idleness and be diligent and disciplined believers in Jesus Christ and productive members of their society.
The letter has some important things to teach us about the second coming of Jesus Christ and the importance of always being ready for that great event.
Chapter 1
Select Verse:
Verse 1
The letter of 2 Thessalonians was to the Thessalonians from Paul, Silvanus and Timothy.
Silvanus, is the Latin equivilent of Silus. Silas was a respected leader in the early church and a travelling companion of Paul’s (see Acts 15:39-41).
Paul met Timothy in the region of Lystra and asked him to join him in his missionary journey (see Acts 16:1-5). Paul had a special connection with Timothy throughout his ministry, calling him his “beloved and faithful child” in 1 Corinthians 4:17 and his “true child in the faith in 1 Timothy 1:2.
Note what the apostle Paul tells us about the church of Thessalonica. They were “in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Being in God and His Son Jesus Christ implied that they belonged to Him, were covered by His work and were walking in fellowship with Him.
Verse 2
Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians is twofold.
First, he prays for the grace of God in their lives. God’s grace is His unmerited favour. Paul understood that none of us deserve the favour and blessing of God in our lives, but God is willing to pour out upon us what we do not deserve. Paul prayed that the Thessalonians would experience this wonderful grace showered upon them.
Second, Paul prayed that the Thessalonican church might know the peace of God. The word for peace is εἰρήνη (eirḗnē). It speaks of an absence of war and turmoil but also refers to prosperity, health and general well-being. Included in this, of course, is a sense of fellowship with God and His people. Note that this peace and grace is found in the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Such peace and grace would not be possible outside of the purpose of God and the work of His Son, Jesus.
Verse 3
Note what Paul has to say about the church of Thessalonica here.
Paul tells them that it was only right for him to thank God for them. He gives us two reasons why the Thessalonians were worthy of this great thanksgiving to God.
First, Paul thanked God because the faith of the Thessalonian church was growing abundantly. All too often, we seem to reach a certain level of faith and remain there. We become content with what we know of God and where we are in our spiritual walk. This was not the case, however, for the Thessalonian church. They continued to grow in their faith and walk with God. Paul tells us that the Thessalonian’s faith was growing “abundantly.” It would be the height of arrogance to think that we do not need to see this abundant growth in our faith as well. Wherever we are in our walk with God, not one of us has arrived at perfection.
Second, Paul thanked the Lord because the love of everyone was growing for one another. The word translated love here is the Greek word ἀγάπη (agápē). This kind of love is not just a feeling but a sacrificial devotion to one another. It is best demonstrated in the Lord Jesus and His willingness to lay down His life for us. Paul understood that this love was shown in how the believers cared for each other in practical ways. You cannot say you love if you do not demonstrate this in sacrificial actions and deeds. Note here that this kind of active love also increased in the church as they learned to truly care for each other.
Verse 4
Paul tells the Thessalonians that he boasted about them in the churches of God. The idea here is that Paul spoke positively to other churches about the steadfast faith of the Thessalonian church. He set them up as an example to follow.
Note that this “steadfastness and faith” was amid persecutions and afflictions. Things were not easy for the church of Thessalonica. When Paul went to Thessalonica in Acts 17, the Jews stirred up a riot, and he was forced to leave. The church in Thessalonica endured persecution and hardship for their commitment to Jesus Christ.
Despite the trouble they were experiencing, believers in Thessalonica remained true and steadfast. They were an example of genuine and persevering faith and the subject of Paul’s boasts in other churches.
Verse 5
Paul begins verse 5 with the words, “This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God.” Our understanding of the verse depends on what the word “this” refers to. Paul is bringing us back to what he has just said in verse 4 about the steadfastness and faith of the Thessalonian church amid persecution. The word “this” may refer to the persecution of the Thessalonian church or its steadfastness and faith.
Paul goes on in the verse to say that this steadfastness and faith or persecution were evidence of the righteous judgement of God. The word judgement here may be seen in a legal sense but also speaks of the wisdom and decisions of God in general.
In other words, God had seen fit to allow the church of Thessalonica to endure hardship, but what they suffered, under his righteous judgement and purpose, would accomplish great good in their lives by strengthening their faith and drawing them closer to God. God was refining them through His judgement to allow persecution so they would be considered worthy of the kingdom of God.
What they endured transformed their lives and shaped them into the image of Jesus Christ. God sometimes allows difficult things to happen, but these things are for our good. God’s judgement about what He allows is righteous and will accomplish its intended purpose for our lives as we endure and allow Him to work through it in us.
Verse 6
While the Thessalonians were afflicted and persecuted for their faith, Paul assured them that God would repay those who afflicted them with affliction. The apostle uses two different words here.
First, when Paul speaks of the affliction of the Thessalonians, he uses the word θλίβω (thlíbō), which means to press together, compress or to distress.
Second, speaking of the response of God toward those who afflicted the Thessalonians, Paul uses the word θλίψις (thlípsis), which means to crush. It is derived from the phrase thláō, which means to break. It seems to be a somewhat stronger word than what Paul used for the affliction of the Thessalonians.
What is important to note here is that God was not blind to the affliction of the Thessalonian church.
Note that Paul tells them that God considered it just to repay with θλίψις (thlípsis) affliction those who distressed His people. He would crush their enemies and bring justice for their oppression.
Verse 7
Paul has been telling the Thessalonians here that God would use their trials to make them worthy of the kingdom they represented (verse 5) and that He would judge those who afflicted them (verse 6). Here, in verse 7, the apostle adds one more detail. He tells the Thessalonians that God would ultimately grant them relief from those afflicting them. Notice when that relief would come — “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.” Let me say two things here.
First, in this world, we will have trouble. Consider the words of Jesus in this regard:
(33) I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 ESV
Jesus makes it clear that as long as we live in a sinful world, there will be affliction and struggle. All who love the Lord Jesus need to understand that they will not be accepted in this world. Just as our Lord suffered, so will those who follow in His footsteps.
Second, Jesus has overcome the world. There is hope beyond this life. This world is not all there is for the believer. The day is coming when we will see the Lord, and on that day, all suffering will end. He will remove all pain, affliction and trial. We will be forever with Him.
In this world, we will have affliction, but God will use that affliction to draw us closer to Himself. He will bring justice and end all suffering and pain for those who love and walk faithfully with Him. This is great comfort.
Verse 8
When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels (verse 7), He will be revealed, according to Paul, in flaming fire. Fire here is a symbol of justice and the purifying of impurities. When the Lord Jesus returns with his angels, He returns as a warrior to conquer all sin and rebellion against God. Paul tells us that on that day, our Lord will inflict vengeance on two groups of people.
First, Jesus will inflict vengeance on those who do not know God. The word Paul uses here is εἰˊδω (eídō). It means to see. The word, however, implies not just seeing something but seeing, taking note of and responding. Consider what the apostle tells the Romans in Romans 1:
(18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (19) For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them. (20) For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (21) For although they knew God, they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (22) Claiming to be wise, they became fools (23) and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. – Romans 1:18-23 ESV
Paul speaks here about people who saw God in many different ways, but they did not respond appropriately to what they saw. They ignored Him, turned their backs, and rebelled against Him and His purpose for their lives.
When Paul speaks of those who do not know God here, he talks about those who have rejected Him and His purpose.
Second, the apostle tells us that God will inflict vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. What does it mean to obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ? The gospel’s call is to recognize our sin, repent and turn to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. Those who do not obey the gospel reject this call. All who disobey this call to repent and turn to Jesus for forgiveness will face the fiery wrath of God’s judgement.
Verse 9
Those who do not know God, as well as those who do not obey the gospel’s call, will suffer punishment. Note the nature of this punishment here.
First, it is eternal. The word eternal implies that it is unending. The punishment of those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel will have no end.
Second, Paul describes their punishment as eternal destruction. The word destruction is ὀˊλεθρος (ólethros), which in itself means to destroy, ruin or kill. Note, however, that Paul describes this destruction as eternal destruction. Some might see this as a once for all time destruction. In other words, those who do not know the Lord will be annihilated and be no more. The sense in Scripture, however, is that the flames of hell never extinguish, and the destruction is ongoing forever and ever. In other words, those who do not know the Lord live in an ongoing state of being destroyed. Consider, for example, the words of Revelation 20:10 as it pertains to the eternal judgement of the devil, the beast and the false prophet:
(10) and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. – Revelation 20:10 ESV
The apostle John tells us that the torment of the beast, false prophet and the devil will be forever. Their punishment was an eternal destruction that was ongoing with no end.
Third, the punishment of those who do not know God would be “away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his might.” That is to say, they will be separated from God and His glory. Their existence will be a godless one, separated from the power of God and given up to sin and endless death.
Verse 10
Those who do not know God or obey the call of the gospel will be separated from the presence of the Lord when “He comes on that day to be glorified in His saints.” Note what Paul tells us here about the day of the Lord’s return.
First, that day will be a day when Jesus Christ is glorified in His saints. His work has transformed their lives. This work of transformation transcends cultures, time, and languages. He has broken the hardest sinners and made them His children. People of every age, country and language have experienced the grace of Christ to change their lives. Imagine what it will be like to see that body of people spanning the globe all touched by the power of Jesus’ cross. What praise will rise to Him on that day as those men and women are separated out and bow before Him in adoration? The power of the cross will be seen in that day. Glory will rise to Christ for the transforming work He has done. The church, with all its diversity and backgrounds, will rise and bring Him honour. This is the fruit of His work on the cross. It is a glorious thing to behold.
Note also here that not only will Christ be glorified in the church, but He will also be glorified by those who belong to Him. They will marvel at His presence and bow down at His feet in praise and gratitude. Among those who will bring honour to the Lord and marvel at His work were those saved by the ministry and message of the apostles who faithfully passed on the message of the gospel we have inherited today.
Verse 11
Paul reveals his prayer for the Thessalonians here. Note that the basis for this prayer is the return of the Lord. The knowledge that Jesus would return motivated Paul to pray for the Thessalonian church. Paul’s prayer here is three-fold.
First, He prays that God would make the Thessalonians worthy of His calling. Observe that the worthiness does not come from the Thessalonians but from God. Only God could make them worthy. He did so by pardoning their sin and removing the guilt and shame. He did so also by sanctifying and transforming them into the image of His Son through the inner work of His Spirit. The Thessalonians were unworthy, but the work of Christ and His Holy Spirit transformed them into a people worthy of His name and worthy to follow His calling.
Second, Paul prayed that the Lord would fulfill every resolve for good. The phrase “resolve for good” comes from the Greek word εὐδοκία (eudokía), which speaks of good pleasure, intent or purpose. The word fulfill is πληρόω (pleróō) and speaks of filling up or making full. Paul is praying that God would fulfill every good purpose in their lives. That good purpose may be for their maturity. It might be for greater service or deeper intimacy and victory over sin. Paul prayed that God would fill up whatever good was lacking in their faith and service.
Third, Paul prayed that the Lord would fulfil every good work of faith by His power. Paul wanted to see the Thessalonians stepping out in works of faith. He wanted to see them experience afresh the empowering work of God in their lives. Paul is not trying to shame the believers into religious activities. He wants them to experience the joy of knowing the empowering presence of God’s Spirit in faith-filled service.
Verse 12
Paul reveals his prayer for the Thessalonians here. Note that the basis for this prayer is the return of the Lord. The knowledge that Jesus would return motivated Paul to pray for the Thessalonian church. Paul’s prayer here is three-fold.
First, He prays that God would make the Thessalonians worthy of His calling. Observe that the worthiness does not come from the Thessalonians but from God. Only God could make them worthy. He did so by pardoning their sin and removing the guilt and shame. He did so also by sanctifying and transforming them into the image of His Son through the inner work of His Spirit. The Thessalonians were unworthy, but the work of Christ and His Holy Spirit transformed them into a people worthy of His name and worthy to follow His calling.
Second, Paul prayed that the Lord would fulfill every resolve for good. The phrase “resolve for good” comes from the Greek word εὐδοκία (eudokía), which speaks of good pleasure, intent or purpose. The word fulfill is πληρόω (pleróō) and speaks of filling up or making full. Paul is praying that God would fulfill every good purpose in their lives. That good purpose may be for their maturity. It might be for greater service or deeper intimacy and victory over sin. Paul prayed that God would fill up whatever good was lacking in their faith and service.
Third, Paul prayed that the Lord would fulfil every good work of faith by His power. Paul wanted to see the Thessalonians stepping out in works of faith. He wanted to see them experience afresh the empowering work of God in their lives. Paul is not trying to shame the believers into religious activities. He wants them to experience the joy of knowing the empowering presence of God’s Spirit in faith-filled service.
Chapter 2
Select Verse:
Verse 1
Paul gets to one of the reasons for writing the letter to the Thessalonians here. There had been some questions in the church relating to the second coming of the Lord. The questions also related to believers being “gathered together to Him.” The phrase “gathered together to Him” is significant and shows us the personal nature of the second coming of Jesus. When He comes, He will gather together those who belong to Him to Himself. They will live under His protection and acceptance. The Thessalonians wondered what it would be like to be gathered to the Lord, to see Him face to face, and to be under His protection and grace.
Verse 2
The Thessalonian church had to deal with false teachers. These false teachers had told the church that the day of the Lord had come. The word used here is ἐνίστημι (enístēmi). It is derived from the word en, meaning in or with, and hístēmi, meaning to stand. Together, they carry the sense of standing in something. What these false teachers were saying was that they were standing in the final days and that the Day of the Lord’s return had come.
Note the impact of this teaching on the church of Thessalonica. Paul tells us that they were shaken in their mind and alarmed. This teaching shocked the church and disturbed them greatly. Had they missed the day of the Lord? Were they His children, and why had He not come to gather them to Himself?
Observe here that the reason this teaching shook the church was because of how it came to them. Paul lists three means by which this message went to the church.
First, the message came from a spirit. In other words, it was communicated to the heart of someone who believed it to be from God and spoke it to the church.
Second, it came to them by means of a spoken word. Some openly taught this false doctrine that the day of the Lord had already come.
Finally, it came to them through a letter, “seeming to be from the apostles.” In other words, someone wrote to them in the name of the apostles, proclaiming this false doctrine.
Understand from this that the church was being bombarded on all sides through different means. It is easy to believe something when we hear it in many different ways. We are called to be discerning, however. Because so many people believe something and communicate it, does not make it true.
Verse 3
Paul challenges the church not to let anyone deceive them. In doing so he rebukes the false teachers who were claiming that the day of the Lord had already come. The apostle tells the Thessonians that this day had not come. In saying this the apostle takes a stand against this teaching.
Jesus predicted that there would be false teachers who came in His name proclaiming their falsehood:
(4) And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. (5) For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. (6) And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. (7) For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. (8) All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. – Matthew 24:4-8 ESV
Note here in particular that Jesus told us that this false teaching and persecution of believers was only the beginning of the birth pains. Paul understood that before the day of the Lord, things would get even worse.
The apostle goes on to tell the Thessalonians why he rejected the teaching that the day of the Lord had already come. He told them that certain things had to happen before that great day. He speaks here about “the rebellion.” Again let’s look at what Jesus prophesied in Matthew 24:
(9) “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. (10) And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. (11) And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. (12) And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. (13) But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (14) And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. – Matthew 24:9-14 ESV
Jesus speaks of a day when believers will be persecuted and put to death. In those days lawlessness will increase and love will grow cold. All of these things needed to take place before the final day of the Lord. Jesus would go on to say that before he returned there would also be signs in the sky:
(29) “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (30) Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. – Matthew 24:29-30 ESV
Paul was aware of the teaching of the Lord about these matters and was not deceived by false teachers proclaiming that the day of the Lord had already come.
Not only did “the rebellion” need to manifest itself before the coming of the Lord, but Paul tells us that the man of lawlessness also needed to be revealed. The apostle John wrote:
(18) Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. – 1 John 2:18 ESV
John speaks about an Antichrist who would come in the last days. He seems to describe this Antichrist in the book of Revelation when he wrote:
(5) And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. (6) It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. (7) Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, (8) and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. – Revelation 13:5-8 ESV
Paul calls this man of lawlessness the son of destruction. From the passages we have examined, we can see how he will deceive many nations and make war on the saints of God. According to Paul, these things needed to happen before the day of the Lord.
Verse 4
Paul speaks further here about the man of lawlessness introduced in verse 3. Note what Paul tells us about this evil antichrist here:
First, the man of lawlessness will exalt himself over every so-called god or object of worship. In Revelation 13, the apostle John saw a beast rising from the sea, which was given great power and authority by Satan the dragon (see Revelation 13:-3). Listen to the words of John about this dragon Satan and his servant the beast:
(4) And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” – Revelation 13:4 ESV
Note how the world worshipped the dragon and his servant, the beast. They were seen as gods. John goes on to tell us something more about this beast in Revelation 13:5-6:
(5) And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. (6) It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. – Revelation 13:5-6 ESV
The beast exalted himself above the very God of heaven and blasphemed His name. This is what Paul seems to be telling us. There will be a time when a great antichrist will arise with authority, lifting himself above God. According to Paul, this must happen before the coming of the Lord (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3).
Second, this man of lawlessness will, according to Paul, take his seat in the temple of God and proclaim himself to be God. Compare this statement of Paul here to the words of John in Revelation 13.
In Revelation 13, John describes a second beast that rose from the earth. Revelation 13:12 shows us the role this second beast had:
(12) It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. Revelation 13, ESV
The purpose of this second beast was to act as a priest and cause people to bow down and worship the first beast. John continues in his prophecy to tell us that this second beast could perform miracles and signs and would deceive many people into believing that the first beast was god.
Verse 5
Paul’s words about the end times were not new to the Thessalonians. He had taught them these things when he was with them. We understand from this that Paul believed it was important for these new converts to Christ to understand the spiritual battle ahead of them and the second coming of Jesus Christ. He does not hide from them that things would be difficult. In an age of easy salvation, we would do well to instruct believers in the dangers and trials to come.
Verse 6
The Bible speaks about the power of this antichrist to do great signs and wonders, deceiving many into thinking that he is god (see Revelation 13:13-15). Note, however, what Paul tells the Thessalonians here in verse 6. He reminds them that this great beast is restrained and cannot reveal himself until the time is right. The restraining of this man of lawlessness shows us that there is a power greater than his. As powerful as he may be, God has ultimate control. The man of lawlessness can only reveal himself when God determines it is right. What is true for his revelation is also true for his destruction. This is the clear teaching of John in Revelation 20:
(10) and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. – Revelation 20:10 ESV
Our God remains in control despite the unleashing of great evil on the earth.
Verse 7
The apostle reminds the Thessalonians that the “mystery of lawlessness” is already at work on the earth. The word μυστήριον (mustḗrion) speaks of something hidden or secret that is not fully understood. Who among us can understand the plans of Satan and his lawlessness? He works in deceit and lies to unfold his hidden purpose for evil.
Paul tells us that this evil purpose is already unfolding on earth. Nowadays, we see its influence in educational institutions and the entertainment industry. An ungodly philosophy and way of life is influencing our government. Satan has been very active behind the scenes, controlling the minds, thoughts and actions of everyone who will listen to his evil. This mystery of lawlessness is already at work in our world.
While ungodliness is at work in our world, it has not yet taken over. There are still those who belong to God standing up for the truth. Scripture does teach that this man of lawlessness will be given the power to make war on the saints:
(7) Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation – Revelation 13:7 ESV
Understand, however, that while God may allow the man of lawlessness to have his way, those who perish in the Lord will be with Him forever, free from oppression and sin.
Paul tells the Thessalonians here that God will restrain the power of the lawless one until he is out of the way. In other words, his time is limited by God. He will have his day, but that day will end.
Verse 8
We understand from Scripture that the man of lawlessness, the antichrist or the beast, will be given the power to make war on the saints (Revelation 13:7). He will have a powerful impact on this world for evil, blaspheming the name of the Lord God (Revelation 13:5,6). The apostle reminds the Thessalonians, however, that the lawless one will be revealed and killed by the breath of Christ at his appearance. His evil reign will be brought to an end when the Lord Jesus descends “from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Jesus will quickly bring an end to the reign of this man of lawlessness. That end will come swiftly and without any resistance. The breath of His mouth alone will end this dominion of evil.
Verse 9
Paul makes it clear that the lawless one who is to come is from Satan. He will do the will of Satan and be empowered by Satan to do many false signs and wonders. Satan can empower his servants to do many things. We need to be careful not to be deceived by these false signs and wonders. Our only defence in those days will be the truth of God’s Word and the presence of His Spirit to empower and guide us into that truth.
Verse 10
Paul has told the Thessalonians that the man of lawlessness will derive his power and authority from Satan. He will deceive people through great signs and wonders. The apostle tells us that this antichrist will successfully mislead those who are perishing. The idea here is that he and his cunning will not fool believers. Note why the unbeliever is deceived, according to Paul —“because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved.” Let me say two things about Paul’s statement here.
First, we cannot be saved if we do not love the truth. Love for the truth implies opening our hearts to the gospel of Jesus Christ and receiving it. You cannot be saved from your sin if you reject the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This truth is life-changing for all who receive it and respond to it.
Second, if we do not love the truth, we are open to the deception of the man of lawlessness. It is the Word of God that protects the believer from error. That Word guides them and keeps them from wandering into the path of the man of lawlessness.
Those who do not love the truth by accepting it and walking in it will be deceived by the man of lawlessness. This Word of truth will be our protection in these evil days.
Verse 11
The verse begins with the word “therefore,” implying that it is connected to the thought of the previous verse. In verse 10, Paul tells the Thessalonians that those who did not love the truth would be deceived by the man of lawlessness and his evil ways. Because these individuals did not love the truth, God sends them a strong delusion so that they believe what is false. Let’s consider this for a moment.
The individuals Paul speaks about here are those who have heard the truth but rejected it. We have met all kinds of people like this. Some of these individuals have hardened their hearts to the gospel of Jesus Christ and want nothing to do with it. We believe in a lie when we harden our hearts to the truth. This is what is happening here. The Lord withdraws His presence and allows those who reject the truth to believe their lie. Without His restraining presence, there is no end to the rebellion and falsehood. Evil and sensuality abound. People are given over to the lusts of their flesh and mind. Whole societies are devastated because they have rejected the principles of God’s Word and have been given over to the lusts of their flesh and mind.
Verse 12
Paul has been telling the Thessalonians that when individuals do not love and respond to the truth, they are given over to the deception of the evil one. This is a choice they make. By rejecting the truth, they choose a lie. When we choose to live in the lies and deception of the evil one, we find ourselves on a path that leads to condemnation. Those who choose to follow the pleasures of unrighteousness will one day answer to God.
Verse 13
Paul reminds himself that he had every reason to thank the Lord for the Thessalonian believers. He lists two reasons for this thankfulness here.
First, the Thessalonians were “brothers beloved by the Lord.” The Lord God Himself had taken note of them and loved them. How could Paul not love them as well?
Second, God chose them to be the first fruits of His salvation. The first fruits were the first crops of the harvest devoted to the Lord. Paul is saying that these Thessalonians were the first to be saved in that region. They were the Lord’s and a sign of a greater harvest to come.
Notice what Paul has to say about the salvation of the Thessalonians. They were saved through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth.
First, the Thessalonians had been saved by the sanctification of the Spirit. Sanctification is the process of being set apart for God. It is not something we can do ourselves but a work of God’s Spirit, who comes to dwell in us, planting His life in us and transforming us into the image of Jesus Christ. This is very different from trying to live a good or religious life. Note how Paul tells the believers here that this sanctification is “of the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit of God does this work of sanctification. According to Paul, God chose to work in the lives of the Thessalonians, setting them apart for Christ, giving them new life, and transforming them into the image of their Saviour. This was not something they did for themselves but a work “of the Spirit.” Salvation is not a decision so much as it is a new life. It is not a lifestyle so much as it is the transforming work of God’s Spirit.
Second, the Thessalonians had been saved by belief in the truth. The word πίστις (pístis) here speaks of a conviction or being persuaded. The idea is that the Thessalonians had been convinced of the reality of the gospel. They believed what they heard and accepted it as the truth of God. They acknowledged that they were sinners in need of a Saviour. They were convinced that Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, died in their place to procure their forgiveness. They trusted His work as their only hope of salvation and forgiveness and surrendered to Him as their Lord and Saviour
Verse 14
Paul begins the verse with the word, “To this he called you.” This takes us back to what he told the Thessalonians in verse 13 about being chosen as the first fruits by God through the sanctification of the Spirit. The Thessalonians were called and set apart by God through the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God has a purpose in mind for this calling on the Thessalonians. According to Paul, it was done so they could obtain the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. What is this glory Paul speaks about?
First, this glory relates to the transformation in their lives through the gospel’s message. They were forgiven and given a new life to the glory of God.
Second, the glory they obtained related to the result of this new life and forgiveness. They would inherit a place in heaven in the presence of the Lord God. They would walk in His glory forever.
Finally, the glory they obtained was the person of Christ, who is the expression of the glory of God. Jesus would come to live in their lives. The very presence of Jesus Christ, the glory of God, would shine through them as His people.
Verse 15
An obligation is placed on all who are called and sanctified through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul tells the Thessalonians that they were now to hold firm to the traditions. The word used for traditions is παράδοσις (parádosis), which speaks of a teaching that is passed on from one person to another. That teaching may refer to a way of life or a set of beliefs or doctrines.
Note where these traditions came from here. They were taught by the apostles either in person or through their letters. We have this tradition today in the New Testament writings. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to walk faithfully in the truth of the Word of God as those called and sanctified by the Spirit. As believers today, we must be people of the Word. We must stand firmly on that truth; it is our authority and guide. This is our obligation as those who have been saved and sanctified by Jesus Christ.
Verse 16
Paul offers a prayer for the Thessalonians here in verses 16 and 17. Note what he tells them about the Lord Jesus and God the Father.
First, Jesus is Lord and Christ. As Lord, we are His servants, and He is ruler over all. As Christ, He is the anointed one, chosen to be our Saviour.
Second, God is “our Father.” This means that we come from Him, and as our Father, we have a special relationship with Him. He protects and guides us as a Father and cares for us as His children.
Note what Paul tells us about the Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father here.
First, they love us. That love is demonstrated in the death of Jesus Christ for our sins. It is shown in the Father’s ongoing care, provision and blessing in our lives and how He chose us to be His children, offering the life of His very own Son for our redemption.
Second, they gave us eternal comfort. The word παράκλησις paráklēsis here speaks of encouragement and strength. Note that this is an eternal comfort that nothing can take from us.
This great comfort is connected with our hope. The word used here is ἐλπίς (elpís) and speaks of the great expectation we now have because of the Lord Jesus. Because of Jesus Christ, our pardon and salvation is secure. We have an assurance of eternal life and blessedness in the presence of our Saviour.
Finally, note the reason for this love, comfort, and hope. It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father. There is no other reason for this. We have obtained these blessings not because we deserve them but because God showers unmerited favour and blessings upon His people.
Verse 17
Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians is twofold.
First, Paul desires that the Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father comfort the Thessalonian hearts. Remember here that these believers were suffering for the gospel. Listen to what Paul wrote to them in 1 Thessalonians 3:
(2) and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, (3) that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. (4) For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. (5) For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labour would be in vain. – 1 Thessalonians 3:2-5 ESV
Knowing their affliction, the apostle prays for their comfort. The word translated comfort here is παρακαλέω (parakaléō). It is derived from the word pará, meaning to the side of and kaléō, which means to call. The idea is to call someone to ones side. Paul’s prayer is that the Lord God would come to their side, stand with them and strengthen them through their affliction.
Second, Paul prayed that God would establish them in every good work and word. The word στηρίζω (stērízō) means to stand firmly. Paul asked God to help these Thessalonians stand firmly in good words and works. In other words, they would hold firmly to the truth and live a life demonstrating that they belonged to God and were in tune with Him and His purpose.
Chapter 3
Select Verse:
Verse 1
After praying for the Thessalonians, Paul asks them to pray for him and his co-workers. Note what Paul asks them to pray.
The apostle wanted prayers that the word of the Lord would speed ahead. The word Paul uses here is τρέχω (tréchō). It means to run. Imagine an athlete running in a competition. If he is to win the race, there must be no hindrance. This is what Paul is asking the Thessalonians to pray. They were to ask God to remove all hindrances to the spread of the Word through the apostles so that it would have its full effect in the lives of those who heard it.
Paul also asks the Thessalonians to pray that as the Word of God spread without hindrance, it would be honoured as it was in their midst. When Paul spoke the word in Thessalonica, it took root in the lives of many individuals and a church was established as a result. That church became an example to the believers in both Macedonia and Achaia (see 1 Thessalonians 1:7).
Verse 2
Paul’s second prayer request is that they be delivered from wicked and evil men. When Paul went to Thessalonica, his message angered the Jews who stirred up a mob against him. Note the words of Acts 17:5:
(5) But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. – Acts 17:5 ESV
Note particularly how Luke speaks here about “some wicked men.” The wicked men of Thessalonica joined the mob, set the city of Thessalonica in an uproar and dragged “the brothers” before the city authorities (see Acts 17:6). They opposed the apostle’s preaching and actively resisted the gospel and its proclamation. According to Paul, these men did not have faith but resisted the truth of God’s Word.
Paul knew there would be opposition to his message and asked the Thessalonians to pray that God would protect him from the evil intentions of those who resisted the gospel.
Verse 3
The apostle Paul had confidence in the faithfulness of God to keep the Thessalonians in their battle against the evil one. Behind the opposition to the gospel is the work of the evil one, Satan. He opposes the truth and will do everything he can to destroy the work God is doing through the proclamation of that truth. The apostle reminded the Thessalonians, however, that despite the opposition of the evil one, God would do two things for them as believers.
First, He would establish them. The word used here is στηρίζω (stērízō), which means to stand firmly. God would enable the Thessalonians to stand firmly and hold their ground. They would be given the grace to hold onto what they had been taught and the faith they had received. Note here that the strength to do this was not in them but in God. That strength would be imparted in their hour of need.
Second, God would not only establish the Thessalonians but also guard them against the evil one. The word φυλάσσω (phulássō) means to watch over. The Lord God would take it upon Himself to care for and protect His people. Anyone who sought to hurt them would have to first go through Him. The apostle had great confidence in the Lord to keep those who belonged to Him.
Verse 4
Paul has confidence “in the Lord” about the Thessalonians. Note that the apostle’s confidence is not in the Thessalonians but in the Lord. It was the Lord who would keep them from falling.
Paul was assured that in the strength of the Lord, the Thessalonians would do what he had commanded them. In other words, they would be faithful to the truth he had taught them about Christ and His purpose for them as believers.
The strength to live the Christian life is not in our efforts but in God and His Spirit, who lives in us. The surest way to fall is to place our confidence in ourselves, not “in the Lord.”
Verse 5
Paul’s prayer is that the Lord God would direct the hearts of the Thessalonian believers to two vital truths.
First, that God would direct their hearts into the love of God. It was Paul’s prayer that the Thessalonians saw the love of God in a fresh way. He wanted them to understand the depth of love that reached them through Jesus Christ. He wanted them to bathe in that reality of a love that would be showered down on them from the Father in heaven and His Son who died on the cross for their pardon. A deep understanding of this love will keep us faithful in our hour of need.
Second, Paul prayed that the Lord God would direct the Thessalonian’s hearts toward the steadfastness of Christ. What is the steadfastness of Christ? Consider what the writer to the Hebrews tells us about Jesus in Hebrews 12:
(2) looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2 ESV
Hebrews 12:2 challenges the believer to look to Jesus who endured the cross, and despised the shame. In other words, He set His mind steadfastly to face the cross and the horrible shame it brought for you and me. He took our sins and paid our penalty, but He was innocent. This immense grace of Jesus Christ that fixed His decision to lay down His life is what Paul prayed the Thessalonians would understand and imitate in their lives.
Verse 6
Paul brings a specific challenge to the church of Thessalonica here. He challenges them to keep away from any brother walking in idleness. The Greek word used here is ἀτάκτως (atáktōs) and speaks of disorderliness. Paul defines this “idleness” in the verse as not walking “in accord with the traditions that you received from us.”
The idleness Paul speaks about here is a lack of concern for the principles of godliness. The Christian life is a life of discipline and effort. To live the life God requires, we must be willing to sacrifice our time and resources. According to Paul, anyone unwilling to put in this effort in their walk with God is considered idle. He believed that brothers or sisters reluctant to put in the time and effort required to live a godly life were a bad influence on the church. The Thessalonians were to surround themselves with brothers and sisters committed to walking as Jesus walked and willing to make any sacrifice necessary to be like their Saviour.
Verse 7
Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to follow his example. When he was with them, the apostle was not idle, but he demonstrated in his life, words, and deeds what it meant to be a true servant of Christ.
Verse 8
Paul demonstrated an aspect of what it meant not to be idle by not taking advantage of the brothers or sisters in Thessalonica. He worked on the side to make money to pay for his food and chose not to be a financial burden to anyone in the church.
Understand here that Paul believed the labourer was worthy of his wages. Paul, however, was willing to preach the gospel free of charge to the Thessalonians. He did not want to be a financial burden to them. By choosing to work to earn his living, the apostle showed the Thessalonians how they should work hard to provide for their families. He demonstrated this by his example.
Verse 9
Paul chose to get a secular job to earn a living. He did this as an example for the Thessalonian church. He knew he had a right to obtain a wage for his work as an apostle and preacher of the gospel but chose to forego this privilege to show the Thessalonians that believers could work in secular professions and still be godly. He showed them how the believer could earn a wage doing worldly things and use it for godly purposes. In doing so, Paul showed the Thessalonians what it meant to live as a believer in a secular world and that it was acceptable for a believer to work in a secular profession.
Verse 10
Paul believed every believer needed to be responsible and provide for their family. He felt so strongly about this that he taught the Thessalonians that if someone was unwilling to work, they should not eat.
The idea conveyed here is that we care for our needs instead of depending on others. As believers, we must be productive members of society, working hard to pay our bills and provide for our family needs. We should not depend on others to care for us if we can fully care for ourselves.
This principle of not being a burden on society was important to Paul. He seems to believe it was part of the Christian witness in a community that believers bought benefits and were not a burden on the economy. A lazy and irresponsible believer was not a good witness in the community.
Verse 11
Paul gets down to specifics here. He heard that some people in the church of Thessalonica were walking in idleness. He defines this as “not busy at work, but busybodies.”
We become open to temptation when we do not occupy our time with productive deeds. In this case, it meant that those who were not productive members of the Thessalonian society became busybodies. The word used here is περιεργάζομαι (periergázomai). It comes from the word perí meaning around or about, and ergázomai, meaning to work. Together, they have the sense of working around but never really committed to anything. These individuals could not stick with anything, and wasted their time on meaningless activities, ultimately making them depend on others to provide for their lack.
Verse 12
Paul speaks directly to those who were idle. He commands and encourages them in the Lord Jesus to work quietly and earn their living.
Note here that the command and encouragement is in the Lord Jesus. Paul believed that it was the will of the Lord Jesus that every believer should be occupied with productive deeds. The Lord’s purpose was that believers earn their own living by using the strength and wisdom He had given them.
According to Paul, every believer should do their work quietly. The opposite of quietness is disturbance and noise. The person who works quietly does not bring disturbance and disorder to the workplace. They work well with others and do not create confusion and chaos. They function well as part of the team and contribute quietly to the business’s productivity. They are good and reliable workers who create harmony in the workplace.
Finally, Paul tells the Thessalonians they were responsible before God to earn their living. The implication is that every believer is to work to provide for their needs and those of the family. We are to demonstrate by our lifestyle and work what it means to be responsible members of the society in which we live.
Verse 13
Paul has been encouraging the Thessalonians to work quietly and be responsible and productive members of society. He encourages them here not to grow weary of doing good. Now, the fact is that we can become tired and overwhelmed in the ministry and the good work we do. The word Paul uses here, however, is ἐκκακέω (ekkakéō). It carries the sense of losing courage, especially in difficulty, to the point where we become unreliable in our duty or give up. While fatigue is the natural result of hard work, Paul tells the Thessalonians they were not to lose heart and give up. Instead, they were to get back on their feet and persevere in doing good.
Verse 14
Paul felt so strongly about working hard and not being idle that he told the Thessalonians that if they noted anyone who was not walking in obedience to his teaching in his letter on this matter, they were to separate themselves from that person. The reason for this separation was likely two-fold.
First, separation would prevent a person’s idleness and slackness in faith from spreading to other people in the church. The separation showed the church that they had an obligation to serve the Lord and that slackness was not the fruit of godly living.
Second, Paul tells us that by separating from such individuals, the church reminded the person of their shameful ways. According to Paul, it was disgraceful not to be a responsible and productive member of society. It was not godly to be slack in spiritual matters. Those who truly loved the Lord demonstrated this through diligence, faithfulness, and hard work. Those slack in their spiritual duties, responsibilities and witness were to be reprimanded. Their lives did not reflect that they belonged to the Lord or were serious about their relationship with Him.
Verse 15
Paul accepted those idle in their faith as brothers and sisters in Christ. He challenged the Thessalonians to be careful not to judge a person’s salvation by how hard they worked or how serious they were about their spiritual duties. Paul knew that not all believers were at the same place spiritually. Some believers do not seem to take initiative in their spiritual walk. They seem to stagnate in their growth. This does not mean that they are not brothers and sisters in Christ.
Note here that Paul challenged the Thessalonians to warn those who were idle. It is not normal for a Christian not to serve the Lord. It is not acceptable for a Christian to not grow in their faith and spiritual walk. If you find yourself in the same place you were years ago, you must seek the Lord and ask Him to give you the grace to step out more boldly in faith. God’s purpose is that all believers be useful and profitable members of the body and their society. It is the heart of God that every believer grows increasingly into the image of His Son. He desires that we tap into the power of our salvation and be fruitful. We are to challenge believers who are not living in this reality.
Verse 16
Paul concludes his letter with a benediction. His prayer is that the Lord of Peace give them peace at all times and in every way.
Note here that the Lord Jesus is the Lord of peace. He came to bring peace with God and our brothers and sisters. He did this at the cost of His life.
Observe that this peace can be ours at all times. When things are not going right, we can still know this peace. When trials abound, His peace is still available to us.
See also that Paul’s prayer was that the peace of God be with the Thessalonians in “every way.” The word he uses here is τρόπος (trópos), which means to turn or a turn in direction. In other words, the peace of the Lord is available to us in any path or direction we find life takes us. Sometimes, those changes of direction are forced upon us by the death of a loved one or a change in circumstances. We can know the peace of God at every turn in the road.
Finally, it was Paul’s prayer that the Lord be with each of the Thessalonians and that they would know his strength, support and fellowship in whatever path their life took.
Verse 17
The apostle tells the Thessalonians here that he had written the greeting of the letter with his own hand. He did this for a very particular reason. He wanted the Thessalonians to know that the letter was genuinely from him.
Paul was aware that people were writing letters in his name. Those letters contained false teaching. He spoke about this in 2 Thessalonians 2 when he wrote:
(1) Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, (2) not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 ESV
Paul handwriting in the letter was confirmation that it was genuinely from him.
It is interesting to note how the enemy seeks to infiltrate into the church and the creative ways he seeks to do so. In this case, it was through letters written to believers in Paul’s name. As a church we need to be aware of the ways the enemy is seeking to deceive our members.
Verse 18
The apostle concludes with a prayer that the grace or unmerited favour of the Lord Jesus Christ would be with them all. Everything we receive from God is by grace. We do not deserve that He should care for us, but He is a God of grace and favour. This is our great confidence and hope in the gospel.
