The Second Letter to the
Thessalonians
Written by the apostle Paul
Written in Athens or Corinth
Written to the Christian church at Thessalonica, a seaport of Macedonia in about A.D. 50
Written to embolden this church which was under fire, and to instruct its members in the facts concerning the second advent of Jesus Christ
GOD AND SUFFERING Read II Thessalonians 1:1-12
Paul reflects his earlier greeting in this second letter to the Christians of Thessalonica. He moves swiftly to an immediate issue confronting them, which is the persecutions they have been undergoing. There are two things to be said [he points out] about your suffering. First, it is through enduring such affliction that your faith is considered as worthy of the kingdom of God. Second, God himself will avenge your ill-treatment.
The penalty God will exact upon unbelievers when Christ comes will be nothing less than eternal destruction and permanent banishment from the presence of the Lord. We pray that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and that you may know his goodness and his power.
THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS Read 2:1-5
Now do not be misled by talk (whether it be based on supposed letters from me or on someone's spiritual visions) to the effect that the day of the Lord has already come. That day will certainly not arrive until many have defected from the faith, and the man of lawlessness, the son of perdition, has been exposed.
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He is the one who haughtily sets himself up as greater than God, and builds himself into an object of temple worship. Don't you remember my telling you this?
THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY Read 2:6-12
But there is a restraining influence in the middle of things right now. When it is removed the lawless one, who is already at work in secret, will be revealed. Then the Lord, in the brightness of his coming, will destroy that lawless one in all his sin and deceit, together with those who prefer evil to good, and who refuse to be saved.
WE THANK GOD FOR YOU Read 2:13-17
We thank God for you Thessalonians, whom he chose from the beginning of time for salvation, through the glad tidings you received from us. Stand firm in the traditions which you were taught through our preaching and writing; and may God give you every encouragement in living for him.
PRAY FOR THE LORD'S WORK Read 3:1-5
Pray for us, brethren, that God's word may have a glorious run, and that we may be protected from evil men. As for you, we have confidence that the Lord will shield you, and guide your hearts and enable you to discharge your responsibilities.
WON'T WORK? THEN CAN'T EAT Read 3:6-13
Refuse to have anything to do with any disorderly brother who is not walking according to the tradition I taught you. You know the kind of example we left you. We sponged off no one — we did not even take what we were entitled to — but worked night and day to support ourselves.
Some of you, however, are idling and others are meddling in affairs that don't concern you. Let me encourage you to work
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quietly, to cover your own expenses, and not to be weary in well doing. If anyone does not wish to work, don't let him eat.
DEALING WITH AN ERRING BROTHER Read 3:14-18
Don't hesitate to admonish an undisciplined Christian, but do it as a brother, not as an enemy. Again I say, avoid those who ignore these teachings. May the Lord of peace impart his peace to you, and may his grace be with you.
Second Thessalonians was apparently written a few months after First Thessalonians. Fresh information had probably reached Paul in the meantime, telling more about the anxieties of the church people. They were concerned because some were saying that the "day of the Lord" was already present (2:2).
As a result, we have one of the most significant prophetic passages in the New Testament, describing the "man of lawlessness" who would be a supernatural, personal embodiment of evil and would deny the authority of God. Here is the "mystery of iniquity" at work. Many believe Paul's "restrainer" (2:7) could have been the Roman empire. More likely, Paul is refering to the Holy Spirit.
It is curious, however, that Paul should speak of a "strong delusion" (2:11) that would appear on the scene to lead many astray, for it sounds like a prophetic reference to the twentieth century. This short letter has in fact much to say to our time, and if you have never taken it up in a Bible class discussion, you have a rich experience in store. The second chapter contains the heart of it; but the closing admonitions in chapter 3 should be gone over with care and considered for their permanent values.
