Second Epistle of Thessalonians chapter 1
1:1 For discussion of the salutation, see the note on 1 Thessalonians 1:1.
1:3 Your faith groweth: Paul cannot help but say once again how impressed he is with their spiritual growth (1
Thessalonians chapter 1:2-10). This, no doubt, reflects the brevity of his stay there. Their testimony suggests that
his earlier fears have been dispelled (1 Thessalonians chapter 3:5, 10).
1:5 Token means literally "evidence." Of the righteous judgment of God: Another translation would be "for" the
righteous. Paul is not saying that their suffering reflects God's judgment, rather that it will be "evidence" used in
judgment against those who persecute them. God will righteously repay trouble to the wicked (verses 6-8). Counted
worthy: Their suffering does not qualify them for the kingdom. Instead it is a privilege extended to those who are
genuinely members of the kingdom.
1:6 It is a righteous thing refers back to the righteous judgment of God cited in the previous verse.
1:7 Rest (Greek anesis, "release" or "relaxation"): It is appropriate since Paul is encouraging them to relax and wait
for the Lord's return, at which time, He will judge all those who afflict His people. With us. Paul again uses himself as
an example. He too had suffered (1 Thessalonians chapter 3:3-5). Their suffering only gives them something in
common with the apostle. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed (lit., "at the revelation of the Lord Jesus"): Second
Thessalonians primarily concerns the revelation of Christ at His second coming (Matthew 24:29-31), as distinguished
from the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). The failure to recognize this distinction led to some of the problems at
Thessalonica.
1:8 In flaming fire: The manifestation of the Son of Man employs this same apocalyptic imagery (Daniel 7:13;
Revelation 1:13, 14). Paul employs know in a sense similar to the Hebrew cognate. In this context it signifies being
intimately acquainted with and standing in a close relation to God. Thus, it means more than just knowing someone.
1:9 Everlasting destruction is not annihilation. It is a conscious, continuous expulsion from the presence of God, that
is, from the place of blessing (Isaiah 2:11, 17; Revelation 9:6).
1:10 In that day, that is, the day of His revelation--the Second Coming.
Second Epistle of Thessalonians chapter 2
2:1 Our gathering together is a reference to the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
2:2 Shaken (Greek saleuo) denotes great anxiety and pain. The Thessalonians were deeply troubled by this matter.
As that the day of Christ is at hand (lit., "as though the day of Christ is present"): These people thought the day of
the Lord has already begun.
2:3 Falling away (Greek apostasia) is the great and final apostasy or repudiation of the Christian faith that will occur
at the appearance of the son of perdition (the Antichrist) (1 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:1-5). Man of sin (some mss.
read "man of lawlessness"): This is the beast out of the sea (Revelation 13:1, the little horn (Daniel 7:8), and the
false Christ who will aim to rule the world (Revelation 13:15-17). This is the Antichrist.
2:4 Sitteth in the temple of God parallels the "abomination of desolation" (Matthew 24:15; Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11).
When the Antichrist desecrates the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, he will usurp worship for himself.
2:6, 7 Ye know what withholdeth literally means "restrains," the same word translated "letteth" in verse 7. the
restrainer may be the Holy Spirit, who will restrain sin through the church age until "He be taken out of the way," that
is, until His restraining influence is removed. This will occur at the Rapture of the church.
2:8 Then shall that Wicked be revealed (lit., "Then shall that lawless one be revealed"): Paul argues that the day of
the Lord simply does not begin until the restraint of the Holy Spirit is removed, and the Antichrist is revealed. Since
none of this had occurred, the day of the Lord had not yet come.
2:9 After [meaning "in accordance with] the working of Satan: The Antichrist is so energized by satanic power that he
can even counterfeit the signs of an apostle (2 Corinthians 12:12).
2:10 Them that perish (Greek apollumi means "the lost" or "the perishing." These are lost because they did not
receive (Greek dechomai) the gospel. (Contrast with the Thessalonian believers in 1 Thessalonians 2:13).
2:11 God shall send them strong delusion shows that the judgment of God will already have fallen on them (Matthew
13:10-17 for a similar instance).
2:13 From the beginning implies that from the start, the work of God was intended to bring them to salvation (i.e,
glory, verse 14) rather than to judgment. Spirit and belief: Salvation can only occur as a work of the Holy Spirit and
through the means of belief.
2:14 By our gospel (see Romans 10:17): "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
2:15 Traditions...taught refers to more than customs. In view here is the totality of the apostolic doctrine as it was
given to them.
2:16, 17 Paul's prayer touches on themes given elsewhere in the epistle (1:11, 12; 3:5; 3:16).
Second Epistle of Thessalonians chapter 3
3:2, 3 For all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful: The unfaithfulness of men provides a contrast to the
faithfulness of God, a favorite topic of Paul's (1 Corinthians10:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Timothy 2:13). Keep
means "guard." Evil or "evil one": The reference is to Satan.
3:6 Command, used above in verse 4, is a very strong, authoritative term. Since it is buttressed by an appeal to the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ, one cannot miss the seriousness of the apostle here. Withdraw literally means
"dissociate." This is the only time this term is used in the New Testament to mean church censure. Walketh disorderly
indicates a pattern of life not in conformity to the Word of God.
3:10-12 Paul expounds his simple and straightforward work ethic: If a person will not work, he should not eat! The
Thessalonians' diversion encouraged their meddlesome ways, demonstrating that "idle hands are the Devil's
workshop."
3:14, 15 This instruction falls short of excommunication. Paul intends his readers to shame the brother, who is not an
enemy, into obedience.
3:17 Salutation of Paul: Paul's seal in his own handwriting indicates the authenticity of this letter. This was necessary,
since apparently some forged documents claiming to be from his pen were circulating (2:2). Paul makes clear how
they can identify his genuine writings.