Bible Commentaries
2 Thessalonians 1

Verse 1

1. The Apostolic Churches were all “ in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ” That excludes the masses of modern claimants altogether.

Verses 2-4

ARGUMENT 1

The first epistle was heroic on entire sanctification, stirring up a sweeping revival on that line. Sin always goes out to make room for grace. Love is never perfect while mixed with depravity, and faith always imperfect till the last doubt is eliminated.

Verse 5

ARGUMENT 2

5. We see here that it is a great blessing and an exalted honor to be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, so that we are permitted to suffer persecution for Christ’s sake. Hence, it says that persecution is “a manifestation of the righteous judgment of God.” Christ (Matthew 5:10) catalogues persecution among the beatitudes. Have you considered that the probable reason why you are not persecuted is, because you are not worthy of the kingdom of God? The Lord give us light to examine our hearts, and consider our lives!

Verses 6-12

ARGUMENT 3

Paul gave us the largest paragraph in the first epistle on the rapture of the saints. Here we have it again in glowing colors, describing the unearthly

splendors of that glorious revelation of the triumphant God-man in scenes of grandeur, sublimity, and glory, beggaring all description.

6. An awful retribution awaits the persecutors of God’s saints.

7. “ To you who are troubled rest with us. ” How glorious to have rest with apostles and saints in that awful day! Shall we have it? It is the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, with the angels of his power.

8. “ In fire of flame. ” Fire throughout the Bible means destruction. It is the regular symbol of sanctification, because sin is destroyed in that work. Here, as in Daniel 7:0, it symbolizes the destruction of the wicked when our Lord comes in his glory to execute retribution on the incorrigible, to gather his saints, take up his Bride, and receive his crown at the hands of the Father, King of kings and Lord of lords. The finally incorrigible are to be destroyed, as symbolized by the fire here, and Daniel 7:0, Acts 3:23, Revelation 11:18.

9. “ Eternal destruction. ” Aionion is the strong word in the Greek language for endless punishment. It is used by the Holy Ghost to reveal the eternity of the heavenly life (Matthew 24:46), human redemption (Hebrews 9:12), and God (5:14).

10. “ When he comes to be glorified among his saints, and to be wondered at in that day among all the believers, because our testimony was believed by you. ” O what a time of wonder and admiration! Immortal tongue fails to describe the ineffable glories of our King, who will be the center of adoring wonder by all his saints. Meanwhile we will be lost in utter bewilderment in contemplating God’s mercy to us, and how it happened, in the wonderful providence of God, that we ever believed his Word and got saved. Shall you and I participate in the enraptured wonders and glories of God’s saints in that day?

11. Well do we join Paul in his prayers in your behalf, that God may count us worthy of our high calling in Christ.

1. “ We pray you, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering unto him. ” When our Lord comes, all the members of his Bridehood will be gathered to him, and taken up to the marriage supper in heaven.