2 Thessalonians 1
-Overview of 2 Thessalonians
Paul
gives a further exhortation to the people of Thessalonica to help them live out
their faith and not grow complacent. They expected the “Day of the LORD” to the
degree that they had stopped working and were just waiting around for Christ’s
return. This was definitely not the point in Paul’s first letter with his
encouraging words of comfort in a distressing time of persecution. The
persecution the believers were experiencing no doubt helped to lend to the
expectation of an imminent ending of the world, but Paul must correct this
erroneous view. So that he does under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
AUTHOR: The apostle Paul, joined in his salutation by
Silvanus and
Timothy
(1:1), and with a reference to his own signature at the end of
the
epistle (3:17). Early sources in
church history that attribute
this
letter to Paul include: Clement of
Alexandria (200 A.D.),
Tertullian
(200 A.D.), and Irenaeus (200 A.D.).
THE
CITY OF THESSALONICA: It was
the capital and largest city of the
Roman
province of Macedonia. Located on the
Egnatian Way, a major road
from
Rome to the eastern provinces, the city served as center of trade
and
commerce. Today, it is known as Thessaloniki,
or Salonica.
THE
CHURCH AT THESSALONICA: The
establishment of the church is
companions
(Silas and Timothy) had just left Philippi and passed
through
Amphipolis and Apollonia to arrive at Thessalonica. As was his
custom,
Paul immediately located the synagogue and reasoned with the
Jews
for three Sabbaths concerning Jesus Christ.
While some of them
were
persuaded, including a great number of devout Greeks and leading
women,
the unbelieving Jews became jealous and created an uproar in the
city. Therefore it became necessary to send Paul
and Silas away
secretly
by night to Berea.
Despite
such ominous beginnings, a strong church was established in
Thessalonica
(cf. 1:2-10). Mostly Gentile (cf.
1:9), its members
already
been the recipient of an earlier letter (First Thessalonians).
TIME
AND PLACE OF WRITING: Second
Thessalonians appears to have been
written
just a few months, possibly a year, after First Thessalonians.
This
would place the writing of the epistle during Paul's extended stay
around
53 A.D.
PURPOSE
OF THE EPISTLE: The
first epistle to the Thessalonians had
been
written in response to news brought back by Timothy who had made a
Encouraged
by their steadfastness in the face of persecution, Paul had
From
the second letter, it appears that they remained strong in the
Lord
despite persecution (cf. 1:3-4).
But it is apparent from this
letter
that misunderstanding about the Lord's coming was present in the
church. Some of the members were being troubled by
false reports (cf.
2:1-2);
others had stopped working, perhaps assuming that the Lord's
imminent
return meant one did not need to work anymore (cf. 3:11-12).
Paul's
purpose in writing this epistle, therefore, is three-fold:
* To encourage them in their
steadfastness under persecution
* To correct their misunderstanding about
the imminence of the
Lord's return
* To instruct the congregation on what
disciplinary action to take
toward those who refused to work
THEMES
OF THE EPISTLE: In
correcting their misunderstanding about the
return
of Christ, Paul explains that the Lord will not come right away
(cf.
2:1-3). Therefore they need to
continue with steadfastness and
patience
for which they had been commended. A
suggested theme of this
epistle
might therefore be:
"STEADFASTNESS WHILE WAITING
FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST"
Also, the theme of rebellion before the coming of
the King of Glory is evident personified by the “man of lawlessness” (the
antichrist). God will remove all restraints on evil before He brings judgment
on the rebels. The antichrist will attempt and succeed in deceiving many. This
means that we should not be afraid when we see evil increase. God is in total
control, no matter how bad the world becomes. We can have victory over evil by
remaining faithful to God.
Finally, persistence is a key virtue extolled in the
letter. The church must not quit working under any circumstance. They must show
courage and true Christian conduct. We must never get so tired of doing right
that we give up. We can be persistent by making the most of our time and
talents. Our endurance will be rewarded.
Sources:
New American Standard
Bible: Life Application Study Bible, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Mich.: 1995,
pgs. 2096-2097.
-Paul’s second known letter the Thessalonians begins with
giving of thanks for them because of their growth in the faith and love of
Christ and one another. They had become the object of the apostle’s boasting
because of their steadfastness and faith in all their persecutions and
afflictions that they were enduring (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4). *Application* Your
faith and love shine brightest in the darkest places of your life. This is your
opportunity to grow in the Lord and experience a new level of closeness with
Him as He takes you through the tough times. Shine as lights in this world
because of the hope you have in Christ to endure difficulties just as these
blessed Thessalonians.
-Now Paul goes into a section on the judgment from God that
is coming when Christ appears at His return. God considers it just to repay
with affliction those who do afflicting and sinful works on this earth. God
will grant relief for the oppressed in their suffering and that is a promise.
Jesus will come with His mighty angels in flaming fire inflicting vengeance on
those who do not know God and are in disobedience to the gospel of the Lord
Jesus Christ. “They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away
from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might (2 Thessalonians
1:5-9).” Christ will be glorified as complete and sovereign ruler over this
world in that day and will be revered by all the believers who trusted in the
testimony given to them by the eyewitness saints such as Paul and others. Paul’s
prayer for them was that they would be made worthy of their calling by God and
resolve to complete every good work of faith by His power according to His
grace given them (2 Thessalonians 1:10-12). *Application* This is not the nice
and kind Jesus that is often portrayed by our society as a benevolent and
tolerant Deity who doesn’t really care about sin or injustice excusing every
evil thing without penalty. The Old Testament is not the only place where we
can find the wrath of God on unbelief and wickedness that is unrepentant. Only
a turning to God in faith can excuse the sinner, and although God is patient (2
Peter 3:9), He will in no way leave the guilty unpunished (Exodus 34:7, Numbers
14:18, Nahum 1:3). Turn to Him while you can so that you can receive His grace
and mercy!
Verse to Memorize- 2
Thessalonians 1:9
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