2 Thessalonians Bible Study Notes- Chapter 3

2 Thessalonians 3

 

-Paul completes this short letter with this chapter focused on the DOING of the Christian life. This action verb is used over and over during the passage denoting an active and productive Spirit-filled life that is not lazy and busy with insignificant things. The apostle asks for prayer that the Word of the Lord would speed (strive to advance, make progress) ahead and be honored (doxazo, glorified) so that they may be delivered from evil men that don’t have faith (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2). The writer’s contrast to the unfaithful unbelievers is the all-faithful God who establishes and guards against the evil one (i.e. the devil). This gives complete confidence (no worries!) by the apostles that the Thessalonians will continue in the things they were taught and commanded to DO as the Lord directs them (Spirit-filled life) from the heart to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:3-5).

-Paul chastises those who were known to be walking in idleness. He exhorted them to walk as the apostles’ demonstrated in not taking advantage of anyone so as to not be a burden even when it could have been their right as leaders. The pinnacle of this teaching is this: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).” The command is to work quietly, steadily, and earnestly to provide for their families and their ministry in Christ earning their own living, not with extravagance, but with generosity. Paul implores them to not grow weary in DOING good (2 Thessalonians 3:13). He stresses obedience in what he is telling them to DO in this letter and imitate his example, which he follows in Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Thessalonians 3:7,9,14). The teaching is to disassociate with the lazy, not regarding them as an enemy, but as a brother making them ashamed enough to turn in repentance to the way of the Lord and become a DOER of the Word (James 1:22-25). *Application* We can see the redemptive purpose in Paul the Apostle’s hard stand on those who refuse to DO their work properly in the body of Christ. We should have high expectations for our brothers and sisters in the Lord and hold them to a standard of excellence in love. Discipline does come into play here, but notice that it is as a brother or sister, not an enemy and not in hatred. Often the most loving thing we can DO is take a hard stand on laziness and complacency so that those we love will not become idle and good for nothing. If you as parents have ever insisted on making your children clean up their room, you can certainly identify with this Godly mentality J ! It’s just like the military (2 Timothy 2:3-4). It’s tough but would you really want it any other way? It is preparation and training for the more difficult days ahead where we will need discipline and hard labor without compliant or questioning.

-When we are busy DOING the work of the Lord in His strength through the Holy Spirit, the God of peace will give us His perfect peace at all times and in all ways as He is always with us (2 Thessalonians 3:16). *Application* This goes against the fleshly-naturalistic way of trying to achieve peace by doing nothing. The exact opposite is true. The hardest working people are generally the ones who don’t have time to worry and as a result they live with an immense amount of peace, especially if they are in Christ. Get active for the LORD! Abound exceedingly! Don’t waste even a moment of time that God graciously gives you to further His Kingdom in our generation (Genesis 6:9, Joshua 24:15, Acts 13:36).

 

Verses to Memorize- 2 Thessalonians 3:10, 16

2 Thessalonians Bible Study Notes- Chapter 2

2 Thessalonians 2

 

-Paul answers questions about the return, or coming (parousia, presence) of Jesus Christ, again here in chapter 2. We will be gathered together with Him, so do not be shaken in mind or alarmed either by a spirit (demonic), a spoken word, or any letter concerning a false proclamation of the Lord’s return. The rebellion will come first, and the man of lawlessness will be revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes God and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship. This anti-christ will take his seat in the temple of God and make himself out to be God, and his spirit is already at work (2 Thessalonians 2:1-7). The restrainer (the Holy Spirit) will at some time be taken out of the way (this may indicate a gathering of the saints in what theologically has become labeled “the rapture” of the church). The lawless one will be fully revealed at that point and then shortly after destroyed by the breath (pnuema, same word as Spirit) of Jesus Christ at His coming bringing the anti-christ to nothing (2 Thessalonians 2:8). The lawless one’s “coming is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing because they refused to love THE TRUTH and so be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10).” God sends a strong delusion at this point so that these unbelievers only gravitate towards what is false in order that all of them may be condemned who did not believe THE TRUTH, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). *Application* Notice that THE TRUTH is what God is after here. Will you hold on to the truth of Scripture in the evil days that we are living in, or will you fall for the spirit of the anti-christ that pervades the landscape before the return (coming) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Don’t be deluded or deceived. Stay rooted and grounded in the Word of God so that you will not be shaken or alarmed. Stay cool under pressure, His Spirit reigns in the true believer!

-The firm stand is expounded upon in the last few verses of this chapter as Paul gave thanks to God for the Thessalonian believers in the truth who are beloved by the Lord as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctification (setting apart, growing) by the Holy Spirit. These steadfast brothers and sisters in Christ hold to the teachings given them by the apostles spoken to them either by word or by letter with all faith and perseverance to obtain the inheritance. Paul blesses them with the loving kindness of their God and pronounces eternal comfort and good hope through grace to the establishment of every good word and work (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17). *Application* What stands out to me here is the abiding relationship these believers enjoyed with both their Lord and with their teachers. There was complete and utter trust, which benefited these true worshipers of God in troubling times. We also live in desperate times and must stay true in our faith unto the Lord, listening and obeying good-biblical teaching from His true prophets and denouncing any false way. Be of good courage!

 

Verse to Memorize- 2 Thessalonians 2:7

2 Thessalonians Bible Study Notes- Chapter 1

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

recorded in Acts 17:1-9.  On his second missionary journey, Paul and his

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

included Jason (Acts 17:9), Aristarchus, and Secundus (Acts 20:4).  It had

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

at Corinth on his second missionary journey (cf. Acts 18:1-11), sometime

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

quick trip there while Paul was in Athens (cf. 1Thess 3:1-3,6).

Encouraged by their steadfastness in the face of persecution, Paul had

exhorted them to holiness in view of the Lord's coming (cf. 1Thess 3:12-13; 5:23).

 

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:

 

http://www.ccel.org/contrib/exec_outlines/2th/2th_00.htm

 

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