Paul's Second Letter to: THE THESSALONIANS

Paul's Second Letter to:

THE THESSALONIANS

AD 51: This letter was sent, soon after the first. Its GENUINENESS is attested by POLYCARP [Epistle to the Philippians, 11], who alludes to 2 Thessalonians 3:15 JUSTIN MARTYR [Dialogue with Trypho, p. 193.32], alludes to 2 Thessalonians 2:3 [Against Heresies, 7.2] quotes 2 Thessalonians 2:8 CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA [Miscellanies, 1.5, p. 554; The Instructor, 1.17], quotes 2 Thessalonians 3:2 TERTULLIAN [On the Resurrection of the Flesh, 24] quotes 2 Thessalonians 2:1 2 Thessalonians 2:2

The apostle's description of Christ's sudden second coming ( 1 Thessalonians 4:13 its being at any time, led them to believe it was actually at hand. Some professed to know by "the Spirit" ( 2 Thessalonians 2:2 others alleged that Paul had said so when with them. A letter, too, purporting to be from the apostle to that effect, seems to have been circulated among them. (That 2 Thessalonians 2:2 rather than to Paul's first Epistle, appears likely from the statement, 2 Thessalonians 3:17 genuine letters might be known). Hence some neglected their daily business and threw themselves on the charity of others, as if their sole duty was to wait for the coming of the LORD. This error, therefore, needed rectifying, and forms a leading topic of the second Epistle. He in it tells them ( 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 come, there must first be a great apostasy, and the Man of Sin must be revealed; and that the LORD's sudden coming is no ground for neglecting daily business; that to do so would only bring scandal on the Church, and was contrary to his own practice among them ( 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 disorderly professors ( 2 Thessalonians 3:6 2 Thessalonians 3:10-15 ions of the Thessalonians' faith, love, and patience, amidst persecutions. (2) 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 and the previous rise and downfall of the Man of Sin foretold. (3) 2 Thessalonians 3:1-16 with prayers for them to the God of peace, followed by his autograph salutation and benediction.

The style is not different from that of most of Paul's other writings, except in the prophetic portion of it ( 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 which is distinguished from them in subject matter. As is usual in his more solemn passages (for instance, in the denunciatory and prophetic portions of his Epistles, for example, compare Colossians 2:8 Colossians 2:16 2 Thessalonians 2:3 2 Thessalonians 2:8 2 Thessalonians 2:10 As the former Epistle dwells mostly on the second Advent in its aspect of glory to the sleeping and the living saints ( 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5:28 this Epistle dwells mostly on it in its aspect of everlasting destruction to the wicked and him who shall be the final consummation of wickedness, the Man of Sin. So far was Paul from laboring under an erroneous impression as to Christ's speedy coming, when he wrote his first Epistle (which rationalists impute to him), that he had distinctly told them, when he was with them, the same truths as to the apostasy being about first to arise, which he now insists upon in this second Epistle ( 2 Thessalonians 2:5 the two Epistles, confirming the genuineness of the latter. Thus, compare 2 Thessalonians 3:2 "coming after the working of Satan," with 1 Thessalonians 2:18 ; 3:5 incipient work as the hinderer of the Gospel, and the tempter, appears; again, mild warning is enjoined, 1 Thessalonians 5:14 second Epistle, when the evil had grown worse, stricter discipline ( 2 Thessalonians 3:6 2 Thessalonians 3:14      (JAMIESON)

2 Thessalonians 1:

1 Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the LORD Jesus Christ:

2 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the LORD Jesus Christ.

NO TRINITY

3 It is right for us to give praise to God at all times for you, brothers, because of the great increase of your faith, and the wealth of your love for one another;

4 So that we ourselves take pride in you in the churches of God for your untroubled mind and your faith in all the troubles and sorrows which you are going through;

5 Which is a clear sign of the decision which God in his righteousness has made; to give you a part in His kingdom, for which you have undergone this pain;

6 For it is an act of righteousness on God's part to give trouble as their reward to those who are troubling you,

7 And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the LORD Jesus comes from heaven with the angels of his power in flames of fire,

8 To give punishment to those who have no knowledge of God, and to those who do not give ear to the good news of our LORD Jesus:

9 Whose reward will be eternal destruction from the face of the LORD and from the glory of his strength,

10 At His coming, when He will have glory in His saints, and will be a cause of wonder in all those who had faith (because our witness among you had effect) in that day.

11 For this reason, you are always in our prayers, that you may seem to our God such as may have a part in his purpose and that by his power He will make all his good purpose, and the work of faith, complete;

12 So that glory may be given to the name of our LORD Jesus through you, and you may have glory in him, by the grace of our God and the LORD Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:

CORRECTION OF THEIR ERROR AS TO CHRIST'S IMMEDIATE COMING:

1 Now as to the coming of the LORD Jesus Christ, and our meeting with Him, it is our desire, my friends,

-the consummating or final gathering together of the saints to Him at His coming, as announced, Matthew 24:31 , 1 Thessalonians 4:17 . The Greek noun is nowhere else found except in Hebrews 10:25 , said of the assembling together of believers for congregational worship. Our instinctive fears of the judgment are dispelled by the thought of being gathered together UNTO HIM ("even as the hen gathereth her chickens under her wings"), which ensures our safety. (Jamieson)

2 That you may not be moved in mind or troubled by a spirit, or by a word, or by a letter as from us, with the suggestion that the day of the LORD is even now come;

by spirit--by a person professing to have the spirit of prophecy ( 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 1 John 4:1- 3 ). The Thessalonians had been warned ( 1 Thessalonians 5:20 1 Thessalonians 5:21 ) to "prove" such professed prophesyings, and to "hold fast (only) that which is good."

by word--of mouth (compare 2 Thessalonians 2:5 2 Thessalonians 2:15 ); some word or saying alleged to be that of Paul, orally communicated. If oral tradition was liable to such perversion in the apostolic age (compare a similar instance, John 21:23 ), how much more in our age!
by letter as from us--purporting to be from us, whereas it is a forgery. Hence he gives a test by which to know his genuine letters ( 2 Thessalonians 3:17 ).
day of Christ--The oldest manuscripts read, "day of the LORD."
is at hand--rather, "is immediately imminent," literally, "is present"; "is instantly coming." Christ and His apostles always taught that the day of the LORD's coming is at hand; and it is not likely that Paul would imply anything contrary here; what he denies is, that it is so immediately imminent, instant, or present, as to justify the neglect of everyday worldly duties. CHRYSOSTOM, and after him ALFORD, translates, "is (already) present" (compare 2 Timothy 2:18 ), a kindred error. But in 2 Timothy 3:1 , the same Greek verb is translated "come." WAHL supports this view. The Greek is usually used of actual presence; but is quite susceptible of the translation, "is all but present."(Jamieson)

3 Give no belief to false words: because there will first be a falling away from the faith, and the revelation of the man of sin, the son of destruction,

The Greek order is, "And there have been revealed the man of sin." As Christ was first in mystery, and afterwards revealed ( 1 Timothy 3:16 ), so Antichrist (the term used 1 John 2:18 , 4:3 ) is first in mystery, and afterwards shall be developed and revealed ( 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9 ). As righteousness found its embodiment in Christ, "the LORD our righteousness," so "sin" shall have its embodiment in "the man of sin." The hindering power meanwhile restrains its manifestation; when that shall be removed, then this manifestation shall take place. The articles, "the apostasy," and "the man of sin," may also refer to their being well known as foretold in Daniel 7:8 Daniel 7:25 , "the little horn speaking great words against the Most High, and thinking to change times and laws"; and Daniel 11:36 , the wilful king who "shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods; neither shall he regard any god."

the son of perdition--a title applied besides to Judas (the traitor, John 17:12 ), and to none else.

(Jamieson)

4 Who puts himself against all authority, lifting himself up over all which is named God or is given worship; so that he takes his seat in the Temple of God, putting himself forward as God.

Daniel 11:36 Daniel 11:37 is here referred to. The words used there as to Antiochus Epiphanes, Paul implies, shall even be more applicable to the man of sin, who is the New Testament actual Antichrist, as Antiochus was the Old Testament typical Antichrist. The previous world kingdoms had each one extraordinary person as its representative head and embodiment (thus Babylon had Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 2:38 , end; Medo-Persia had Cyrus; Greece had Alexander, and Antiochus Epiphanes, the forerunner of Antichrist); so the fourth and last world kingdom, under which we now live, shall have one final head, the concentrated embodiment of all the sin and lawless iniquity which have been in pagan and papal Rome. Rome's final phase will probably be an unholy alliance between idolatrous superstition and godless infidelity.

Who opposeth and exalteth himself--There is but one Greek article to both participles, implying that the reason why he opposeth himself is in order that he may exalt himself above, &c. ALFORD takes the former clause absolutely, "He that withstands (CHRIST)," that is, Antichrist ( 1 John 2:18 ). As at the conclusion of the Old Testament period, Israel apostate allied itself with the heathen world power against Jesus and His apostles ( Luke 23:12 ; and at Thessalonica, Acts 17:5-9 ), and was in righteous retribution punished by the instrumentality of the world power itself (Jerusalem being destroyed by Rome), Daniel 9:26 Daniel 9:27 ; so the degenerate Church (become an "harlot"), allying itself with the godless world power (the "beast" of Revelation) against vital religion (that is, the harlot sitting on the beast), shall be judged by that world power which shall be finally embodied in Antichrist ( Zechariah 13:8 Zechariah 13:9 , 14:2 , Revelation 17:16 Revelation 17:17 ). In this early Epistle, the apostate Jewish Church as the harlot, and pagan Rome as the beast, form the historical background on which Paul draws his prophetic sketch of the apostasy. In the Pastoral Epistles, which were later, this prophecy appears in connection with Gnosticism, which had at that time infected the Church. The harlot (the apostate Church) is first to be judged by the beast (the world power) and its kings ( Revelation 17:16 ); and afterwards the beasts and their allies (with the personal Antichrist at their head, who seems to rise after the judgment on the harlot, or apostate Church) shall be judged by the coming of Jesus Himself ( Revelation 19:20 ). Anti-Christian tendencies produce different Antichrists: these separate Antichrists shall hereafter find their consummation in an individual exceeding them all in the intensity of his evil character [AUBERLEN]. But judgment soon overtakes him. He is necessarily a child of death, immediately after his ascent as the beast out of the bottomless pit going into perdition ( Revelation 17:8 Revelation 17:11 ). Idolatry of self, spiritual pride, and rebellion against God, are his characteristics; as Christ-worship, humility, and dependence on God, characterize Christianity. He not merely assumes Christ's character (as the "false Christs," Matthew 24:24 ), but "opposes" Christ. The Greek implies one situated on an opposite side (compare 1 John 2:22 , 2 John 1:7 ). One who, on the destruction of every religion, shall seek to establish his own throne, and for God's great truth, "God is man," to substitute his own lie, "Man is God" [TRENCH]. (Jamieson)

5 Do you not remember what I said when I was with you, giving you word of these things?

6 And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes.

that which holds him back; "keeps him in check": the power that has restrained the man of sin from his full and final development, is the moral and conservative influence of political states [OLSHAUSEN]: the fabric of human polity as a coercive power; as "he who now letteth" refers to those who rule that polity by which the great upbursting of godlessness is kept down [ALFORD]. The "what withholdeth" refers to the general hindrance; "he who now letteth," to the person in whom that hindrance is summed up. Romanism, as a forerunner of Antichrist, was thus kept in check by the Roman emperor (the then representative of the coercive power) until Constantine, having removed the seat of empire to Constantinople, the Roman bishop by degrees first raised himself to precedency, then to primacy, and then to sole empire above the secular power. The historical fact from which Paul starts in his prediction was probably the emperor Claudius' expulsion of the Jews, the representative of the anti-Christian adversary in Paul's day, from Rome, thus "withholding" them in some degree in their attacks on Christianity; this suggested the principle holding good to the end of time, and about to find its final fulfillment in the removal of the withholding person or authority, whereupon Antichrist in his worst shape shall start up.

7 For the secret of evil is even now at work: but there is one who is keeping back the evil till he is taken out of the way.

the mystery of iniquity--the counterwork to "the mystery of godliness" ( 1 Timothy 3:16 ). Anti- Christianity latently working, as distinguished from its final open manifestation. "Mystery" in Scripture means, not what remains always a secret, but that which is for a while hidden, but in due time manifested (compare Ephesians 3:4 Ephesians 3:5 ). Satan will resort to a mode of opposition more conformed to the then imminent "appearing" and "presence" of the Saviour, and will anticipate Him with a last effort to maintain the dominion of the world [DE BURGH]

8 And then will come the revelation of that evil one, whom the LORD Jesus will put to death with the breath of his mouth, and give to destruction by the revelation of his coming;

9 Even the one whose coming is marked by the working of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,

10 And with every deceit of wrongdoing among those whose fate is destruction; because they were quite without that love of the true faith by which they might have salvation.

11 And for this cause, God will give them up to the power of deceit and they will put their faith in what is false:

12 So that they all may be judged, who had no faith in what is true, or enjoying the evil they do.

He here states the general proposition which applies specially to Antichrist's adherents. Not all in the Church of Rome, or other anti-Christian systems, shall be damned, but only "all who believed not the truth," when offered to them, "but had pleasure in unrighteousness" ( Romans 1:32 , 2:8 ). Love of unrighteousness being the great obstacle to believing the truth.

13 As for us, we always thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the LORD. We are thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation, a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and by your belief in the truth.

14 And in this purpose he gave you a part through the good news of which we were the preachers, even that you might have part in the glory of our LORD Jesus Christ.

15 So then, brothers, be strong in purpose, and keep the teaching which has been given to you by word or by letter from us.

16 Now our LORD Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father who had love for us and has given us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,

17 Give you comfort and strength in every good work and word.

2 Thessalonians 3:

HIS CONFIDENCE IN THEM:

1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the LORD may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,

2 And that we may be made free from foolish and evil men; for many have no faith.

3 But the LORD is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

faithful--alluding to "faith" ( 2 Thessalonians 3:2 ):though many will not believe, the LORD (other very old manuscripts read "God") is still to be believed in as faithful to His promises ( 1 Thessalonians 5:24 , 2 Timothy 2:13 ). Faith on the part of man answers to faithfulness on the part of God.
establish you--as he had prayed ( 2 Thessalonians 2:17 ). Though it was on himself that wicked men were making their onset, he turns away from asking the Thessalonians' prayers for HIS deliverance ( 2 Thessalonians 3:2 :so unselfish was he, even in religion), to express his assurance of THEIR establishment in the faith, and preservation from evil. This assurance thus exactly answers to his prayer for them ( 2 Thessalonians 2:17 ), "Our LORD . . . stablish you in every good word and work." He has before his mind the LORD's Prayer, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"; where, as here, the translation may be, "from the evil one"; the great hinderer of "every good word and work." Compare Matthew 13:19 , "the wicked one." (Jamieson)

4 And we have faith in the LORD about you, that you are doing and will do the things about which we give you orders.

5 And may your hearts be guided by the LORD into the love of God and quiet waiting for Christ.

6 Now we give you orders, brothers, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, to keep away from all those whose behavior is not well ordered and in harmony with the teaching which they had from us.

7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;

8 And we did not take food from any man for nothing, but were working hard night and day not to be a trouble to any of you:

9 Not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, so that you might do the same.

10 For even when we were with you we gave you orders, saying, If any man does no work, let him not have food.

11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and wasting time meddling in other people's business.

12 Now to such we give orders and make request in the name of the LORD Jesus, that, working quietly, they get their living.

13 And you, my brothers, do not get tired of well-doing.

14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed.

15 Have no feeling of hate for him, but take him in hand seriously as a brother.

16 Now the LORD of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. May the LORD be with you all.

LORD of peace--Jesus Christ. The same title is given to Him as to the Father, "the GOD of peace" ( Romans 15:33 , 16:20 , 2 Corinthians 13:11 ). An appropriate title in the prayer here, where the harmony of the Christian community was liable to interruption from the "disorderly." The Greek article requires the translation, "Give you the peace" which it is "His to give." "Peace" outward and inward, here and hereafter ( Romans 14:17 ). (Jamieson)

17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.

The Epistle was written by an amanuensis (perhaps Silas or Timothy), and only the closing salutation written by Paul's "own hand" (compare Romans 16:22 , 1 Corinthians 16:21 , Colossians 4:18 ). Wherever Paul does not subjoin this autograph salutation, we may presume he wrote the whole Epistle himself ( Galatians 6:11 ). (Jamieson)

18 May the grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you all.

{signed by Paul Himself.}