INTRODUCTION TO 2 THESSALONIANS
STAND FIRM AND HOLD FAST TO THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL
“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter” (2Th 2:15).
Author, Date and Place of Writing
Regarding the author, date and place of writing, 2 Thessalonians is identical to 1 Thessalonians, except for the date. 2 Thessalonians seems to have been written a short time later (2:2; 3:11). (Refer to 1 Thessalonians introduction.)
Literary Features, Recipients, Historical Background
Refer to the introduction to 1 Thessalonians.
Occasion and Purpose of Writing
In 1 Thessalonians Paul affirmed his love relationship with, and genuine motive toward the Thessalonian believers who were vulnerable to misunderstand Paul’s abrupt departure in the time of persecution. He encouraged them to live a sanctified life and not to grieve over their beloved dead, but to have hope in Jesus’ second coming. He briefly warned those who were idle. In 2 Thessalonians, persecution was ongoing. In the midst of persecution some people asserted that Jesus had already come. The believers were unsettled and confused. Some became busybodies, idle and disruptive. So Paul encouraged them in three ways, addressing their practical issues.
First, Paul expressed thanksgiving for their growing faith and increasing love for one another in the midst of severe persecution (1:3-4). He assured them of God’s right judgment. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well (1:5-7a).
Second, Paul exhorted them not to be deceived, but to hold fast to the truth of the gospel. He wanted them not to become easily unsettled or alarmed, or deceived in any way by false reports allegedly from him (2:2). Some of them asserted that Jesus’ second coming had already taken place. But Paul assured them that the day of the Lord would not come until the rebellion occurred and a man of lawlessness was revealed, and then destroyed by the Lord Jesus (2:3-12). In light of God’s love and calling, Paul exhorted them to stand firm and hold fast to the truth of the gospel (2:13-17).
Third, Paul warned them against idleness (3:6-13). It seems that the false teaching that Jesus had already come had led some people to become idle and disruptive. They neglected their daily duties and Christian responsibilities. Paul reminded them how he had worked night and day among them to set an example. He gave them a rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat,” and commanded them to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive.
Main Theme
Paul teaches the Thessalonians who were undergoing persecution that God’s judgment is right. When Jesus comes again, he is glorified in his holy people and marveled at among all those who believe (1:10). At the same time, he will bring final victory, destroying Satan’s works and condemning those who do not believe the truth (2:9-12). Instead of being deceived by the false teaching, the believers should know that they are loved by the Lord, chosen for salvation, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and called to share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (2:13-14). So they should stand firm and hold fast to the truth of the gospel, and never tire of doing what is good (2:15; 3:13).
Characteristics
God’s character—righteousness and faithfulness: God is just and right in all his judgments (1:5-8). God will pay back trouble to troublemakers and give relief to those who are troubled. He will punish those who do not obey the gospel. The Lord is also faithful (3:3). He will strengthen us and protect us from the evil one.
What will happen when Jesus comes again: At his coming, the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish with everlasting destruction those who do not know God and do not obey the truth of the gospel, and shut them out from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his might (1:7-9). Jesus will be glorified in his holy people and be marveled at among all those who have believed (1:10).
The nature and destiny of the man of lawlessness: Before the coming of Jesus, “the man of lawlessness” will be revealed (2:3a). He will oppose God and exalt himself over everything that is called God or worshiped, and proclaim himself to be God (2:4). He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all wickedness deception (2:9-10). He is doomed to be destroyed (2:3b).
God’s sovereignty over Satan and his works: When the man of lawlessness works powerfully, people can easily be deceived and fearful. But God is sovereign over all, even the powerful delusion that comes upon those who refuse to love the truth and who delight in wickedness (2:11). God will overthrow the man of lawlessness with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming (2:8). He will also condemn those who do not believe the truth but delighted in wickedness (2:12).
Warning against being idle and disruptive: “Idle and disruptive” comes from a single Greek word which means “disorderly, irresponsibly, unruly, undisciplined.” Paul commanded the Thessalonians to “keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive” (3:6). Paul also gave a rule: “Those who do not work shall not eat” (3:10).
Purpose of Our Study
Through this study, we want to stand firm and hold fast to the truth of the gospel. We should not be alarmed or unsettled by false teachings regarding Jesus’ second coming. We need to be discerning and not be deceived by Satan and his works through lies. We need also to avoid becoming idle and disruptive, failing to take responsibility, and to obey the truth of the gospel. Furthermore, we should never tire of doing what is good in the sight of God.
Outline
I. Greetings and Thanksgiving (1:1-4)
1. Authors, recipients and greetings (1-2)
2. Thanksgiving (3-4)
II. God’s Righteous Judgment (1:5-12)
1. God’s judgment is right (5)
2. God is just (6-10)
3. Paul’s prayer (11-12)
III. Man of Lawlessness (2:1-12)
1. Don’t let anyone deceive you (1-3a)
2. The coming and destruction of the man of lawlessness (3b-8)
3. How Satan works (9-12)
IV. Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer (2:13-17)
1. God chose them to be saved and sanctified by the Holy Spirit (13)
2. God called them through the gospel to share in the glory of Jesus (14)
3. Paul encouraged them to stand firm and hold fast to the gospel (15)
4. Paul’s prayer for their encouragement (16-17)
V. Paul’s Prayer Requests (3:1-5)
VI. Paul’s Commands to Keep from Being Idle (3:6-15)
VII. Final Greetings (3:16-18)