Bible Commentaries
2 Thessalonians

INTRODUCTION TO THE

SECOND THESSA­LONIAN EPISTLE.

OCCASION AND DESIGN OF THE EPISTLE.

The persons to whom this Epistle was written—“the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” In order to understand it, we must ascertain the condition of the church when it was written. Paul had been compelled to leave the Thessalonian Christians only partially instructed in the gospel of Christ. He had written them an Epistle to correct abuses and to supply what was lacking in their understanding of the gospel. (1 Thessalonians 3:10.) The in­telligence brought back to Paul by the bearer of the Epistle or through some other channel was the reason why it was written. He thus received a good report of the Thessalonians, and was enabled to express his joy and thankfulness to God that their faith grew exceedingly, and the love of everyone toward each other abounded. (2 Thessalonians 1:3.) But still the erroneous views concerning the coming of the Lord and the consequent disorders to which he had called attention had rather in­creased than diminished. The Lord Jesus Christ had ascended to heaven about twenty years before, and had promised to return at an uncertain date, and therefore nothing was more natural than the church in general should have expected an early return.

Various circumstances, both in the church and in the world, heightened the expectation. Such a view of an immediate coming of the Lord had taken possession of the minds of the Thessalonian Christians. Their deceased relatives who, they thought, would lose all the benefits occurring at the Lord’s coming, had indeed been assuaged by the former Epistle, but the expectation of the immediate coming of the Lord had grown in strength. They, it would seem, from misapprehend­ing some passages of the first Epistle that the day of Christ’s coming was at hand. (2 Thessalonians 2:2.) Mistaken and enthusiastic men had also nourished this deception by appealing to visions and to the traditionary sayings of the apostle; and it would even appear that an epistle had been forged in the name of the apostle. The church was thrown into a state of wild excitement; an impatient and fanatical longing for the instant when Christ would come seized upon one portion, while fear and consternation at the awfulness of the event overwhelmed another. The consequence was that many of the Thessa­lonians were neglecting their secular business and living idle and useless lives, conceiving that there was no use of working in a world which was soon to be destroyed or of performing the duties belonging to a state of things which was soon to terminate. Their only duty they felt was to be in readiness for the immediate coming of the Lord.

Accordingly, the design of the apostle in writing the Epistle was to correct the error which the Thessalonians entertained concerning the immediate coming of the Lord, and to correct those abuses to which that error had given rise. The main object of Paul was to warn the Thessalonians against thinking that the day of the Lord was just at hand. He reminds them of his former instructions on this point and tells them that a series of events—the manifestation and destruction of the man of sin—would intervene. “Now we beseech you, breth­ren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him; to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just at hand.” And along with this correction of error was the correction of disorders occasioned by it. There were among the Thessalonians some who walked disorderly, that worked not at all, but were busybodies; those he enjoined to return to their employment, and “that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12.)

TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING,

This Epistle evidently was written at Corinth not long after the first, most likely in the latter part of the year 53.

Worthy Of The Kingdom

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

The second letter to the Thessalonians continues the theme that is found in the first letter to the Thessalonians: living in the light of eternity. Having our eyes on eternity and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ changes how we live in this world. In his first letter to the Thessalonians he wrote to them about the expectation of the Lord’s return and our gather to him. They needed to be ready for the day of the Lord to come like a thief in the night. This preparation of the imminent return of Christ seems to have been mixed with some false teachings and severe persecution that led to the writing of the second letter just a few months later.

One of Paul’s primary concerns is the problem of suffering for Christians. Suffering is a key attack point that tempts us to give up. When we are targeted by wicked people because of our faith, it is a natural inclination to want to give up our faith. Faith under trial and pressure leads to the temptation to no longer have faith in God. We turn to self-preservation and self-pity rather than hope in God for deliverance. This is what we see Paul encouraging these Christians in Thessalonica about in the opening of this second letter.

Thanksgiving For Faith (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)

Notice the thanksgiving Paul offers for these Christians in verses 3-4. Paul says that they ought to give thanks to God for these Christians because their faith is growing abundantly and the love for each other is increasing. This is exactly what Paul asked for them to do and praised them for in the first letter (1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10). Now listen to what is happening to them as described in 2 Thessalonians 1:4.

Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. (2 Thessalonians 1:4 ESV)

These Christians are remaining steadfast in God and strong in the faith in all their persecutions and afflictions they are enduring. This is the expectation for following the Lord. Even in the face of extreme trials and severe persecution we are to remain strong in the faith and remain steadfast in the gospel of Jesus. Paul says that they are rejoicing to the other churches about their steadfastness and faith. You can imagine the encouragement that this church is giving to other churches. The Thessalonians continue to be under severe persecution (as we see beginning in Acts 17) and Paul is proclaiming the strength of faith to other Christians in other regions so that they will have the same strength of faith. Our faithfulness toward God cannot change even in the face of persecutions and afflictions.

Evidence of God’s Righteous Judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:5)

But now Paul is going to give these Thessalonians an explanation for their suffering. What is going on with all these afflictions and persecutions and what do these things mean for these suffering Christians? Listen to verse 5.

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering. (2 Thessalonians 1:5 ESV)

Did you hear what Paul said? This is evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you may be consider worthy of the kingdom of God. Our response to trials, afflictions, persecutions, and sufferings demonstrates that we are worthy of his kingdom. If we view our suffering as part of being in God’s kingdom, if we see our afflictions as part of a just process, then we will see trials as part of the work of God in our lives. God has designed suffering to work for us and not against us. He has designed suffering to change us, burning up the impurities to refine us as gold. God supplies the grace we need to endure the trial.

Paul’s point is that the current suffering in the lives of these Christians is evidence that God has judged rightly that they are indeed his people. This is exactly what we see in the book of Job. One of the big questions of the book of Job concerns the character of Job. Is Job a true follower of God who serves God no matter the cost or circumstances? God had declared Job to be blameless and upright. The evidence of God’s righteous judgment of Job’s character is the success of Job through the trial. Job showed himself worthy of the kingdom of God by how he responded to the trial.

You see then that we are called to think differently about trials. God is not angry with us. God is not paying us back for something we have done when we go through trials and suffering. These things are the testing of our faith. The endurance of faith in trials shows that we are part of his kingdom. The trials and the suffering prove our faith. Suffering is not to be considered evidence that God has forsaken us, but evidence that God is with us. This is why the scriptures repeatedly tell us to rejoice in trials and afflictions.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV)

Even Jesus shows us that suffering is the path to glory. Faith in trials is the evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you have been counted worthy of the kingdom.

Hope In Suffering (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10)

So what is the hope in our suffering? Since we are destined to suffer so that our faith will be refined, what should we look forward to? What is our hope to help us through persecutions and afflictions? These Christians are suffering for the sake of Jesus. What will Paul teach them to encourage their faith?

God will repay and relieve (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7).

God will pronounce a right, just verdict. Justice requires judgment. God is a just God and he will repay. Notice that the message is that your enemies are God’s enemies. God will repay with affliction those that have afflicted you. There is a divine retribution that is going to happen. There must be a judgment if there is going to be justice. We cannot look at God’s righteous judgment and justice as mean, harsh, or unfair. Rather, his justice is a grace to give relief to God’s people against evildoers.

God will repay the affliction committed against you and grant relief to those who are afflicted. But please notice when the relief comes. Highlight the word “when” in 2 Thessalonians 1:7. Relief will come “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire.” Paul says that relief is coming when Christ returns. Relief is not earlier, though we think God should do something right now. But that is not God’s timetable.

This is often our problem in our Christian walk. We cannot serve the god of the quick fix. When we need to know something, we want instant access to information. When we are hungry, we want fast food. When pain hits, we want immediate relief. When wrong occurs, we want swift justice. When disease strikes, we want a speedy recovery. God must always do something right now! But God is not the god of quick fixes but of eternal judgment. His justice will bring relief when the Lord returns. Therefore we can be like Jesus as lambs led to the slaughter knowing that God will deal with our enemies and that our relief will be at the end of this life or when Jesus comes. God will be just and it will be a relief for his people.

Judgment Pronounced (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10)

Paul now declares what this judgment will look like when Christ comes. The coming of Christ is an amazing picture as we saw in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Now we are granted a fuller picture of what this judgment will look like.

The Lord is going to return in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. This imagery is found in Jeremiah 10:25 and Isaiah 66:4. It is a very clear picture of what the judgment will look like. Those who do not know God and those who disobeyed the gospel are the ones who will be judged when the Lord returns. This knowledge is what brings an intensity to our need to share the gospel with people we know. If you know a person who does not know God or has not obeyed the gospel, then judgment is coming when Christ returns. There is no way out of this truth. This is what is frightening about so many funerals where every person is believed to go to heaven with the Lord when they did not know God or obey the gospel. In our culture we have decided for ourselves that no one is going to experience eternal punishment. We choose to live in willful ignorance regarding the truth of what is going to happen when Christ comes. Perhaps this is why Jesus is the one who spoke the most about the eternal punishment to come. We cannot live in denial who is going to be judgment by God.

The result is also pictured. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction. But please notice what the picture is of eternal destruction in 2 Thessalonians 1:9. They will be away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his might. Being isolated from God and his goodness is the eternal punishment. We cannot begin to imagine the horror of what it is like to be separated from the presence of God. We cannot imagine a place where God and his goodness is not. But this is the picture given to us. Please notice that God does not send us to eternal punishment but that we choose to go there ourselves. If we do not want to know God or obey his good news, then we are saying that being with God and knowing him is not what we want for eternity. So God gives us what we request. We will be separated from the presence of God. What we do not realize is that is eternal punishment to be separated from him. This is very much like the teenager who thinks that his or her life would be better off they lived on their own, away from the presence of the parents. But they do not realize all the good they experience on a daily basis from the parents, even in their rebellion. In the same way we cannot begin to understand what we are saying when we declare that we want nothing to do with knowing God or obeying him. It is something that God cannot even picture to us except to say that we are separated from the presence of God, who is the giver everything that is right and good.

We must consider that the scriptures are constantly teaching the need for salvation. But what are we being saved from? It is interesting that we can think about salvation but think about how salvation means you must be saved from something. What are we being saved from? We are being saved from the punishment of eternal destruction, being separated from the Lord. If there is not an eternal punishment, then what exactly are we being saved from? It cannot be that all people go to heaven to enjoy the eternal presence of God for in this there would not be justice and there would be no need for salvation. Justice requires judgment and we need to be saved from the sins and debts we have made. But Jesus is going to come and he will be glorified by those who have believed in him (2 Thessalonians 1:10).

God’s Purpose (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

Therefore, Paul prays that God would make us worthy of his calling. God makes us worthy of his calling through the transformation that occurs in the testing of our faith. God is at work so that you will not experience God’s judgment. Our faith must be tested and grown so that we can be found ready for his coming. We live a life worthy of the call by how we handle our afflictions. The fruit we bear and the good we do is so that the name of Jesus will be honored and glorified. We do our good works of faith with our eyes on the hope of eternity and his glorious coming. We will remain faithful in the face of oppression and suffering for Christ because we know that God will be just and he will bring relief when he returns.

Please hear these words: there is no promise from God to receive relief from our afflictions, persecutions, or suffering now. Just because we suffer or experience persecution because of our faith in Jesus does not mean that God is not with us or that God does not love us. In fact, our suffering is a grace of God so that we can be made worthy of his calling, ready for his coming. We must resolve to be steadfast in the faith and continue to do good works even if we must suffer. Friends, we must make ourselves ready for endurance now. We must prepare ourselves that we will be strong in the Lord no matter what happens to us. We know that we are being prepared for eternity with God. Your continued faith is evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you are chosen to be children of God.

The Day Of The Lord

2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

The second letter to the Thessalonians is an avoided text because of the descriptions that are found in it. It is a text that has been subject to wild speculations concerning end time events. But to understand the message of this passage we need to start at some beginning, foundational concepts. What is the gospel? The gospel is not a feel good message that has no implications regarding sin. The gospel message is message of the enthronement of Jesus and the submitting of the nations to his rule (Psalms 2; Isaiah 40:9-10; Isaiah 52:7; Isaiah 61:1).

“I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” (Psalms 2:6 CSB)

What we see in the scriptures is that the first coming of Jesus was not the goal but the beginning of his reign, putting all the enemies under his feet and restoring all things (Acts 3; 1 Corinthians 15) until he returns a second time to bring his reign to completion. The second coming of Christ is a foundational doctrine of the New Testament, generating hope in the face of the world’s sinfulness. So when we come to places in the scriptures like 2 Thessalonians 2, we can struggle with them because we do not know the Old Testament prophecies, by which many will make fanciful ideas from this text. But the message is simple and what Paul teaches in chapter 2 appears to be the primary reason why he wrote this letter.

Do Not Be Alarmed (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2)

The concern is described in the first two verses of 2 Thessalonians 2. Paul does not want them to be alarmed or shaken because people are saying that the day of the Lord has come. The false claim appears to be that Christ’s coming and the final resurrection have already happened, so that there should be no present expectation of any future occurrence of either of these events. This was apparently a common false teaching. Listen to what Paul wrote to Timothy.

But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. (2 Timothy 2:16-18 ESV)

Notice that there were people who were Christians (they have swerved from the truth) and are saying that the resurrection has already happened. Amazingly enough, there are people today even who attend churches of Christ that declare that the Lord has already returned. There is nothing new under the sun and this is continuing false teaching. If you ever hear about the AD 70 doctrine or realized eschatology, just run away for it is a false teaching along these same lines. Paul writes so that these Christians will not have their faith disturbed by saying that the coming of the Lord has already occurred.

Day Cannot Come Yet (2 Thessalonians 2:3-9)

What Paul does in verses 3-4 is tell them that there are things that must happen before Christ returns. The day cannot come “unless the rebellion comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Now this is where people go crazy interpreting this imagery. Please notice 2 Thessalonians 2:5 before we go further. Paul says in verse 5 that he already told them these things when he was with them. Not only this, but notice 2 Thessalonians 2:7 says that the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Not only this, the power of the lawlessness already exists and 2 Thessalonians 2:6 says that it was about to be revealed.

So for us to think that what Paul told them was about the Roman Catholic Church, North Korea, the Soviet Union, China, the European Union, or anything else that would not be revealed in the lifetimes of these individuals makes no sense. Can you imagine Paul saying that I told you before that the man of lawlessness was when the communist nations merge together and go to war against Christians? Futuristic interpretations collapse under the weight of the fact that Paul explained these things to these Thessalonian Christians in the first century.

So what was Paul describing? What is this rebellion or falling away? What is the revealing of the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction? There are two things we need to consider as we answer these questions. First, we need to carefully read the descriptions given by Paul about these events and see if they match any other information given in the New Testament. Second, these descriptions about these events are found in the Old Testament prophecies and will help us understand what Paul is saying.

Descriptions of the Rebellion and the Man of Lawlessness

First, the rebellion or falling away refers to some kind of observable, measurable event so that these Christians would know that this had taken place. If the text is referring to a spiritual falling away, Jesus predicted this would happen before the destruction of Jerusalem in Matthew 24:9-14.

Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:9-14 ESV)

The rebellion may also refer to the Jewish rebellion against the Roman Empire that brought about its destruction. We will see why this could be a likely connection in just a moment. But hold these thoughts in your mind for a moment as we consider “the man of lawlessness.”

The language that we find in 2 Thessalonians 2 is found in a couple other places in the scriptures and they are referring to the same thing. Paul says that this man of lawlessness, the son of destruction “opposes and exalts himself against every so-call god or object of worship, taking his seat in the temple of God.” Further, he “proclaims himself to be God.” His coming is the activity of Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:9) and works with power, false signs, and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9). These are descriptions used of wicked rulers.

Revelation 13 describes Satan raising a beast up that blasphemes against God, God’s name, and God’s dwelling (Revelation 13:6). It performs great signs in front of the people (Revelation 13:13). When we study the book of Revelation we see that we are reading about the Roman Empire and what those emperors would do in exalting themselves against God, people worshiping them as a god, and harming God’s people. In the prophecy of Daniel about the fourth terrifying beast, which was also a reference to the Roman Empire, the same description is given: “He shall speak words against the Most High” (Daniel 7:25). Daniel 11 makes the same reference. It is worthy of noting that the early church also saw these images in all of these passages as referring to the Roman emperors because that is exactly what they did. Very few emperors did not do what this passage describes. This language in 2 Thessalonians 2 sounds just like what Emperor Caligula did when he put a statue of himself in the temple of God in Jerusalem in 40 AD. Does this not sound just like verse 4? So in the first century the thinking of the reader of this passage would be that Paul is talking about the Roman emperors.

Now I would like to take us another direction to help confirm this conclusion. If you are standing in the first century after Christ has come and risen from the dead, are there any prophecies that have not yet been fulfilled? Have the prophets described things that yet must happen after the Messiah gives himself? There are still some prophecies that have not been fulfilled. In particular there are two very important prophecies that have not happened yet. Turn to Daniel 9:24-27.

24 “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. 25 Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. 26 And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. 27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” (Daniel 9:24-27 ESV)

Now many find this passage to be difficult. But I want to zero in on two parts of the prophecy. First, in Daniel 9:26 we are told that the city of Jerusalem and the temple of God were going to be destroyed. Second, in Daniel 9:27 the one who did this destroying would have its decreed end poured out on it. It is the same picture as in Daniel 7 and Matthew 24. Jerusalem is going to be destroyed by the fourth empire (the Roman Empire) and then the Roman Empire will also be destroyed. I submit to you that this is also the message of the book of Revelation. If you are standing in the first century and you know these prophecies, then you know that there are two things that still have to happen. The Romans must enter Jerusalem and destroyed the city and temple and then the Romans themselves must fall. Please reread 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10 and notice that these events are what Paul is picturing.

What I want us to see is that the reason why Paul can say that “the day will not come” unless these things first happen because there are prophecies that still had to be fulfilled. God said that he was going to destroy Jerusalem and destroy that destroyer. Therefore, do not listen to anyone who says that the Lord has already come and that you have missed out on the resurrection. The Lord will not return until he completes the prophecies he gave.

Now this can seem very complicated and complex to us. Why does Paul need to go through all of this? I want to bring us back to the beginning of this sermon. This is the gospel message. You may be questioning this statement but what we have just read is the gospel message. The gospel message is the enthronement of Jesus and the subjugation of his enemies. The Lord Jesus Christ is putting all the enemies under his feet. This is the message of Psalms 2 regarding God and his Anointed. The nations rage against the Lord and plot against him. But God will set his King on Zion and then listen to what he says:

I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” (Psalms 2:7-9 ESV)

The ends of the earth is the Son’s possession and he will break the nations with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces. What we are reading in 2 Thessalonians 2 is the gospel message. The gospel message is not simply about you and I having the forgiveness of sins, though this is certainly an important benefit of the gospel. The gospel message is the subjugation of all the enemies, including Satan, sin, and death. Jesus rules over all things and every person and every nation that resists the Lord will be dashed to pieces. The gospel is the message of the king who sits on the throne and rules over the earth.

The Problem (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)

This is why we see the gospel message in verses 10-12. People refuse to love the truth and so be saved. This is the key problem for those who are perishing. All unbelief boils down to this: they refuse to believe the truth. They refuse to love the truth. They want to believe in the power of the nations of the earth. They want to believe in the power of themselves. They want to have pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:12). God will allow you to believe this lie. God will distinguish between those who have a love for God and truth and those who want to do what they want to do. You have a choice to believe the strong delusion as millions of others have in the past. Or you can believe the truth of the gospel that Jesus reigns, love that truth, and so be saved. There is a warning here that we do not believe what is false because sin blinds our hearts and minds. How many people think they are Christians while still following their own desires and will!

Stand Firm (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17)

So what are we to do? Look at verses 13-17. Notice 2 Thessalonians 2:15.

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. (2 Thessalonians 2:15 ESV)

The events that happen in the world and teachings of those who are false are going to constantly bombard our faith so that we are shaken away from the truth of the gospel: the Lord Jesus reigns, we must submit to him, and those who do not submit will experience the wrath of God. Hold on to the teachings given by the apostles that have been handed down. This is the idea of the word “traditions.” These are not human traditions but the traditions of God. God’s word being passed on and handed down is what you are to hold on to. Stand firm in the truth of the rule of Jesus and do not believe the delusion of this world. Jesus reigns and will destroy all who resist his rule. Submit to the Lord with all your heart.

Do Not Grow Weary Doing Good

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

The message of Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians has been how to endure trials by living in the light of eternity. These Christians in Thessalonica are suffering severely for their faith. Paul is encouraging them that their growing faith and continued love for one another shows God’s righteous judgment that they have been counted worthy of God’s kingdom (2 Thessalonians 1:4-5). In the last paragraph Paul told these Christians to not be disturbed by false teachings regarding the second coming of Christ but to stand firm in what they had received from the apostles. So in the final section of this letter Paul is going to tell these Christians what they must do as they live in the light of eternity and face these trials because of their faith in Jesus.

Pray (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5)

Paul asks these Christians to pray. Why do we leave off prayer so quickly and frequently? How easy it is it seems to forget our need to pray! Prayer is one of our primary points of divine assistance and yet we can so easily discard it. What should we pray for? Paul asks for prayers in a number of areas.

First, Paul says to pray that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2). Pray for the message of Jesus to spread rapidly and to be delivered from wicked and evil men. Quite simply, we need more of these prayers. This is the simplest way for us to be evangelistic and reach out to the lost as a church and as individuals: pray for it. Pray for opportunities. Pray for God to send seekers of his truth through our doors. Pray to God for visitors. Pray for Bible study opportunities. Pray for open and honest hearts to hear the gospel. Pray for people in our neighborhoods and workplaces to give us a reason to share the gospel with them. There is so much we can pray for and must pray for. I am going to say something that I do not want to be misunderstood so I will say it carefully for clarity. It is good that we pray for our physically sick. We need to pray for each other regarding such things. We see examples for it in the scriptures. But we cannot neglect to pray for the spiritually sick! We cannot neglect to pray for the lost and the need for the gospel to spread and be received, especially in our culture today and especially in our area in south Florida. We cannot lose sight of our purpose. Our purpose is not to go to church or to keep ourselves happy and content. Our purpose is to be lights in the world just as Jesus is the light. We must pray for this to be the case. Our prayers reflect our hearts and our goals. One of our primary desires must be for souls to be saved. May we increasing our prayers for the word of the Lord to spread mightily and for the word of the Lord to be honored.

Second, pray for spiritual strength to trust in the Lord and remain steadfast (2 Thessalonians 3:3-5). Not all are going to have faith (2 Thessalonians 3:2) and we will suffer by the hands of the faithless. But God is faithful. We trust God to establish us and guard us against the evil one. We need to encouragement to remain steadfast and to pray for that strength. Notice that Paul does not merely tell these Christians to be steadfast. Paul is calling upon God to establish them and guard them. Paul prays that “the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5). Paul’s confidence is that they will continue in the faith and be obedient to the commands of God (2 Thessalonians 3:4). Pray for the help you need. If you are struggling in the faith, pray to God about that. If you need help, pray to God about that daily. If you are caught in sin and are struggling with temptations, do not go it alone, but pray to God about it constantly. God is faithful.

Watch Your Walk (2 Thessalonians 3:6-12)

Next, Paul tells these Christians to watch their walk. They need to watch how they are living their lives. Paul is going to tell them to avoid certain people and tell them what they are to do. First, notice the people who claim to be Christians that they are to avoid. The instruction begins in verse 6.

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6 ESV)

Anyone who claims to be a Christian but walks in idleness and not according to what the apostles have taught, they are to keep away from such ones. The command is stated again in 2 Thessalonians 3:14.

If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. (2 Thessalonians 3:14 ESV)

Paul says to take note of these people, keep away from them, and have nothing to do with them. Why? First, because they are spiritually dangerous. They are not truly following the Lord from the heart. They are disregarding God’s laws and are acting unruly. So you need to watch out for them. Second, keep away from them so that they are ashamed. We do not want to communicate to them that what they are doing is acceptable Christian behavior. What they are doing is wrong. They are not keeping what God said. Their behavior shows idleness and unrulinesses. The church needs to note them and keep away from them. This seems to be the same instruction as Jesus gave in Matthew 18 where a Christian is approached about their sin by one person and then by other witnesses if there is not repentance. Then, after the church tries to gain their repentance the person does not return to the Lord, then the church is to withdraw from the person. Please notice that Paul does not give this instruction for something that we would define as a “big” sin. These Christians are not working. They are not following what Paul told them to do in their lives. Unfortunately, these commands to note those who walk disorderly are not often kept. We try to make excuses for people rather than noting that their soul is in jeopardy and we want them to be ashamed of what they are doing. I cannot communicate to you the shame of what you are doing if I treat you the same way as I did before. What is being done is wrong and Paul says the person must be noted by the church.

But just as verse 14 is often neglected, so also is verse 15 neglected. Look at verse 15.

Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. (2 Thessalonians 3:15 ESV)

This is not about being mean to a person. We are not harsh to the person. But we are warning them as someone that we care about. We care about the person’s soul and so we warn them. So the motive behind our actions is just as important to God. We are not punishing. We are not vengeful. We are not angry in a selfish way. We are broken over their sin and the consequences of their fractured relationship with God. We want them to recognize their sin and to change.

So watching our walk means not being idle or unruly. What we are to do is stated in 2 Thessalonians 3:7 : imitate the apostles. Paul says that the reason they did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, worked day and night, and did not burden anyone, though they had the right to do so, was so that these Thessalonians would have an example to imitate. The apostles were not idle and these Christians are not to be idle. Then Paul reminds these Christians what he commanded when he was with them. Notice the command in verse 10:

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV)

This is God’s view of welfare. I want us to think about this. Being a Christian does not mean alleviating the consequences of people’s decisions. Are we to help each other? Yes. Do we work so that we have will have something to give others? Yes. But notice the other side of this coin. This is not a reason for people not to work. Hunger is God’s tool to get us to care for ourselves and work. If we take that away from people, then they will have no reason to work. A lack of money encourages work. We must not enable laziness but help those who truly are in need of help who cannot work or care for themselves. Therefore, Paul says our busyness should be at work and not being busybodies (2 Thessalonians 3:11). Do not be busy at the wrong things in life! Do your work quietly and earn your own living (2 Thessalonians 3:12). Get a job and keep yourself out of trouble.

Do Not Let Evil Get You Down (2 Thessalonians 3:13-18)

But even after giving these instructions, listen to verse 13.

As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. (2 Thessalonians 3:13 ESV)

Here are Christians that are taking advantage of other Christians. They are not working. They are busybodies rather than working as they ought. They are walking in idleness. But even though these things are happening and these people need to be noted, do not change what you are supposed to do. Do not grow weary in doing good. Do not be frustrated by what appears to be ineffectiveness in the good you are doing. It is easy to be discouraged from doing good. Do not lose heart. Do not give up on doing good for people. It is common to be hurt because we invest our very lives into the lives others only to see that work be for nothing. The person turns away from you and/or turns away from God after all the good you have tried to do for the individual. When this happens it becomes so easy to want to quit doing good. We are tempted to no longer invest ourselves in the lives of others. We have all been burned by people. We have all been let down by people. We have all been taken advantage of. We must not forget the words Paul gave as he said farewell to the Ephesian elders.

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35 ESV)

Conclusion

Paul ends his second letter to the Thessalonians, encouraging them to live in the light of eternity with three instructions. First, pray. Pray for the spreading of the gospel. Pray for deliverance from evil ones. Pray for steadfastness in adversity. Second, watch how you walk. Are we living a life that is approved by God? Work is a God-given responsibility. Being a busybody is a sin. Work quietly and earn your living. Do not take advantage of others. If you will not work, then you are going to go hungry. Finally, do not get tired of doing good.

LESSON 1

COMING TO REWARD THE FAITHFUL

AND TO PUNISH THE WICKED

2 Thessalonians 1:1 to 2 Thessalonians 2:17.

1. Whom did Paul include in the opening of this epistle? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 1:1.

2. For what did Paul give thanks? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 1:3.

3. In what way did the Thessalonians exhibit faith and patience? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 1:4.

4. Their suffering made them worthy of what? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 1:5.

5. What was in store for those who afflicted the Thessalonians? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 1:6.

6. Who will appear with Christ at His coming? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 1:7.

7. On whom shall vengeance be wrought? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 1:8.

8. What shall this punishment be? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 1:9.

9. What was Paul’s prayer for them? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12.

10. What subject is under discussion now? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:1.

11. What could cause their minds to be unsettled and troubled? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:2.

12. What must come before the day of the Lord? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

13. Who shall be revealed before that day comes? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

14. Describe the man of sin. Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:4.

15. Paul reminds them of what? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:5.

16. When shall the mystery be revealed? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:7.

17. What shall be the end of the lawless one? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:8.

18. What things will come with this lawless one? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:9.

19. Why will some not be saved? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:10.

20. What will God send to those who love not the truth? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:11.

21. Why will God do this? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:12.

22. For what was Paul thankful? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:13.

23. By what means were these brethren chosen to be saved? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:13.

24. How did God call them? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:14.

25. They were to remain firm in what? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:15.

26. Who is the source of comfort and hope? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.

LESSON 2

WITHDRAWING FROM THE DISORDERLY

2 Thessalonians 3:1-17

1. What did Paul want the Thessalonians to do for him? Why? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2.

2. What would the Lord do for them? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:3.

3. What confidence did Paul have in them? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:4.

4. The Lord would guide their hearts into what? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:5.

5. From whom should they withdraw themselves? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:6.

6. What did some fail to do which caused them to be disorderly? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:6.

7. How were the Christians at Rome to treat certain brethren? Ans. Romans 16:17.

8. What should first be done toward one who is wrong? Ans. Titus 3:10.

9. In what manner should we deal with erring brethren? Ans. Galatians 6:1.

10. What is the purpose of these disciplinary steps? Ans. 1 Corinthians 5:4-5.

11. Whom does Paul give as an example for orderly living? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:7.

12. Give some details of his manner of life. Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:8.

13. Paul did not exercise what privilege? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:9.

14. Why did he support himself? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:9.

15. What command had Paul left with them? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:10.

16. What were some doing? What name did Paul give them? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:11.

17. What were they directed to do? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:12.

18. The Thessalonians were not to grow weary of what? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:13.

19. What reward could they expect then? Ans. Galatians 6:9.

20. How was a brother to be treated if he failed to obey the command of 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12? Why? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:14.

21. How was this to be done? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:15.

22. What was a distinctive characteristic of every one of Paul’s letters? Ans. 2 Thessalonians 3:17.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Open It

1. What experiences can destroy a person’s desire to live?

2. What fictional or real-life person endured difficulties and trials on the way to eventual triumph?

Explore It

1.    To whom is this letter addressed? (2 Thessalonians 1:1)

2.    Who wrote this letter? (2 Thessalonians 1:1)

3.    Why did Paul thank God for the church at Thessalonica? (2 Thessalonians 1:3)

4.    What was the reputation of the church at Thessalonica? (2 Thessalonians 1:4)

5.    What difficulties was the church at Thessalonica experiencing? (2 Thessalonians 1:4)

6.    What do persecution and trials prove about God’s work in the church and the world? (2 Thessalonians 1:5)

7.    How will God deal with unbelievers and believers alike? When? (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7)

8.    When will God reward and punish people? (2 Thessalonians 1:7)

9.     For what reason will God punish people? (2 Thessalonians 1:8)

10.     How did Paul describe the punishment of those who reject Christ? (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

11.     What will believers experience when they see the Lord Jesus? (2 Thessalonians 1:10)

12.     What was Paul’s prayer for the church at Thessalonica? (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

Get It

1.     What can we do to keep our faith growing?

2.     What can we do to increase our love for others?

3.     How can a person go through trials and yet have their faith strengthened?

4.    When we are going through difficulties, how do we know God hasn’t forgotten us?

5.    What are some reasons we use to explain why we experience trials and hard times?

6.    How could trials and hard times be part of God’s plan for us?

7.    How will our view of the trials during our life be different after Jesus returns?

8.    How does Paul’s description of hell compare to your ideas about what hell is like?

9.    How do we discover God’s purpose for our lives?

10.    What lessons do you think God is trying to teach you through the trials and difficulties you have experienced recently?

Apply It

1.    How could your life glorify the name of the Lord Jesus this week?

2.    In what trials and difficulties do you need patience and perseverance this week to see God’s eventual good results?

The Man of Lawlessness

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Open It

1.    What would make you think that the end of the world was near?

2.    If you were convinced the world would end in six months, what would you do until then?

3.    What evidence do you see of evil forces active in the world today?

Explore It

1.    What subject was Paul addressing? (2 Thessalonians 2:1)

2.    What reaction had Paul’s previous letter caused among his readers? (2 Thessalonians 2:2)

3.    What must happen before the day of the Lord comes? (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

4.    What kind of person will the man of lawlessness be? (2 Thessalonians 2:4)

5.    What is delaying the coming of the man of lawlessness? (2 Thessalonians 2:6)

6.    What will happen to allow the man of lawlessness to be revealed? (2 Thessalonians 2:7)

7.    What will happen when the man of lawlessness encounters the Lord Jesus? (2 Thessalonians 2:8)

8.     How will Satan’s power be evident during the time of the man of lawlessness? (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)

9.     Why will people perish? (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)

10.     What will God do to allow those who delight in wickedness to persist in their ways? (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

Get It

1.     How should a Christian react to any predictions about Christ’s return?

2.     How close do you think we are to the end times and the return of Christ? Why?

3.     What can a person do to get ready for Christ’s return?

4.     What gives Christians confidence as they face the end times and the forces of the antichrist?

5.    What powers of lawlessness and rebellion are already present in our world?

6.     How can you decide if a miracle or a miracle worker is from God or from Satan?

7.    What will cause people to turn away from God during the end times?

Apply It

1.     How can you strengthen your faith today so that you are ready to face any evil days that will come?

2.    What can you say to a loved one or friend this week that will lovingly draw them away from wickedness and unbelief?

Stand Firm

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Open It

1.    What causes many people to give up their plans for self-improvement (diet, exercise, etc.)?

2.    What causes some people to lose their religious faith as they grow older?

3.    If God could give you an audible word of encouragement, what would help you most?

Explore It

1.    For what reasons did Paul encourage people to thank God? (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

2.    How did Paul describe God’s role in our salvation? (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

3.    When did God choose the Thessalonian Christians for salvation? (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

4.    What forces work for our salvation? (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

5.    Who calls people to salvation? (2 Thessalonians 2:14)

6.    For what reason did God call us to salvation? (2 Thessalonians 2:14)

7.    What encouragement did Paul give to the church? (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

8.    What media did Paul use to send instruction to the church at Thessalonica? (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

9.     What impact did Paul want God to have on every believer in the church? (2 Thessalonians 2:16)

10.     What did Paul want God to encourage and strengthen in the Thessalonian believers? (2 Thessalonians 2:17)

Get It

1.     How does God work in our lives even before we put our trust in Him?

2.     How does God use other people to bring us to Him?

3.     How has God changed you since you became a Christian?

4.     What does it mean to stand firm as a Christian?

5.    What teachings should a Christian hold on to as he or she lives for Christ?

6.     How does God encourage us?

7.    What does God do to strengthen us?

8.    What weakens a person’s relationship with God?

9.    What strengthens a person’s relationship with God?

Apply It

1.    What can you do this week to remind yourself every day what God has done for you?

2.    In what area of your life would taking a firm stand for Christ benefit you this week?

3.    When can you make time in your schedule this week to encourage another believer?

Request for Prayer

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Open It

1.    How frequently do you stay in touch with a friend who is many miles away?

2.    What motivates most people to pray?

Explore It

1.    How had the gospel been received by the Thessalonians? (2 Thessalonians 3:1)

2.    How did Paul want to see the gospel received? (2 Thessalonians 3:1)

3.    What prayer requests did Paul share with the Thessalonians? (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2)

4.    What did Paul want? (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2)

5.    What type of people were threatening Paul? (2 Thessalonians 3:2)

6.    How did Paul describe God? (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

7.    What will God do for people who are threatened by the evil one? (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

8.    What confidence did Paul have in the Christians at Thessalonica? (2 Thessalonians 3:4)

9.     How did Paul remind his readers of the Lord’s direction? (2 Thessalonians 3:5)

10.     What did Paul want his readers to remember about the Lord? (2 Thessalonians 3:5)

Get It

1.     How does prayer change people or circumstances?

2.     How could prayer help spread the message of the Lord?

3.     How does prayer protect us?

4.     How does our belief about God affect the way we pray?

5.     How can meditating on God’s love change us?

6.    How can thinking about Christ’s perseverance strengthen our own stand?

Apply It

1.     For what kind of growth in your Christian life can you pray this week?

2.    For whom will you pray this week that their faith may be strengthened?

Warning Against Idleness

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

Open It

1.    How does a person learn good work habits?

2.    When have you been frustrated with a lazy person?

3.    What kind of help do you think should be given to people who do not work?

Explore It

1.    Whom should we avoid? (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

2.    What example had Paul set when he was with the church at Thessalonica? (2 Thessalonians 3:7-8)

3.    What work habits did Paul display while he was in Thessalonica? (2 Thessalonians 3:8)

4.    Why did Paul work so hard and pay for his food? (2 Thessalonians 3:8-9)

5.    What rule had Paul given about working and eating? (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

6.    What reports had Paul heard about some of the believers in Thessalonica? (2 Thessalonians 3:11)

7.    What had some people in Thessalonica become? (2 Thessalonians 3:11)

8.     What was Paul’s command to the busybodies in Thessalonica? (2 Thessalonians 3:12)

9.     What encouragement did Paul give to those he called "brothers"? (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

10.     How were the Thessalonians to regard anyone who ignored Paul’s instructions? (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15)

11.     What should we do with people who do not obey these instructions? (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15)

12.     What blessing did Paul invoke on the Thessalonian believers? (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

13.     What did Paul do to make his final greeting special? (2 Thessalonians 3:17)

Get It

1.     How can associating with idle, lazy people influence your work habits?

2.    What bad habits can you develop by associating with the wrong crowd of friends?

3.     Why should a Christian stay away from a person who has bad habits or doesn’t follow Christ?

4.    What example should a Christian set for others at a job or as a student?

5.     What disciplinary action should be taken toward a Christian who ignores the teachings of the Word of God?

6.    How should Christians respond to someone who doesn’t work or support his or her family?

Apply It

1.    What improvements in your work habits can you make this week?

2.    What can you do this week to be a good influence on your fellow workers or students?

3.    From what bad influences do you need to distance yourself? How?