Second Thessalonians:

[Rob Morgan]

Second Thessalonians:

This epistle is the theological sequel to First Thessalonians, which developed the theme of the coming day of the Lord (1 Thess. 5:1-1 1). However, not long after the Thessalonians receive that letter, they fall prey to false teaching or outright deception, thinking the day of the Lord has already begun. Paul writes this brief letter to correct the error and also to encourage those believers whose faith is being tested by the difficulties presented by persecution. He also reproves those who have decided to cease working because they believe the coming of Christ is near. Second Thessalonians deals with Paul’s encouragement in persecution (1); Paul’s explanation of the day of the Lord (2); and Paul’s exhortation to the church (3).

Paul’s Encouragement in Persecution (J): After his two-verse salutation, Paul gives thanks to the growing faith and love of the Thessalonians and assures them of their ultimate deliverance from those who are persecuting them (1:3-10). They are encouraged to patiently endure their afflictions, knowing that the Lord Jesus will judge their persecutors when He is "revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire"(1:7-8). Before Paul moves to the next topic, he concludes this section with a prayer for the spiritual welfare of his readers (1:11-12).

Paul’s Explanation of the Day of the Lord (2): Because of the severity of their afflictions, the Thessalonians hove become susceptible to false teaching (and possibly o fraudulent letter in the name of Paul), claiming that they are already in the day of the Lord (2: l-2). This was particularly disturbing because Paul’s previous letter had given them the comforting hope that they were not destined for the wrath of that day (1 Thess. 5:9). Paul therefore assures them that the day of the Lord is yet in the future and will not arrive unannounced. Specifically, a great spiritual rebellion must take place, climaxed by the revealing of the satanically empowered man of lawlessness (2:3-4, B-9). A comparison of this passage with Daniel 9:27, 12:11; Matthew 24:15; First John 2:18; Revelation 11:7; l3: l-l0 shows that the man of lawlessness is the Antichrist who will be fully manifested when the restrainer is removed (2:6-9). The Thessalonians knew the identity of this restrainer, but we cannot be sure of what Paul had in mind. The prominent views of the identity of the restrainer are the Holy Spirit, the church, or civil government. In any case, the conflict of lawlessness and of Christ will continue until the climax of Christ's victorious appearance. Paul then concludes with a word of encouragement and a benedictory prayer of comfort before moving to his next topic (2:13-17).

Paul’s Exhortation to the Church (3: l -18): Paul requests the Thessalonian church to pray on his behalf and to wait patiently for the Lord (3: l -5). Having thus commended, corrected, and comforted his readers, the tactful apostle closes his letter with o sharp word of command to those who have been using the truth of Christ's return as an excuse for disorderly conduct (3:6-15; cf. I Thess. 4:11-12). The doctrine of the Lord's return requires a balance between waiting and working. lt is a perspective that should encourage holiness, not idleness. This final section, like the first two, closes on a benedictory note (3: I 6-l 8).