December 2 A READ 2 THESSALONIANS 1–3
Work While You Wait
OVERVIEW
The Thessalonians were waiting expectantly for Christ’s return, and that was good. But in addition, some were waiting unproductively, and that was bad. False teachers had come claiming that the “day of the Lord” had already come. Paul refutes their teaching by reminding the Thessalonians of the events that must precede the coming of the Lord. But how should they live in the light of that glorious expectation? Not with lazy resignation, but with steadfastness and renewed labor for the Lord. Therefore, Paul urges, “Never get tired of doing good” (3:13).
MY DAILY WALK
Is there at least one other person you pray for every day? Is there at least one time every day (apart from mealtimes) when you regularly pray? Is there at least one person you regularly pray with about mutually shared problems and praise items?
Paul entreated the Thessalonian Christians, “Pray for us” (3:1). He also asked for prayer in 1 Thessalonians (5:25), in Colossians (4:3-4), and in Ephesians (6:18-20). The apostle Paul was acutely aware of his need for prayer support to undergird his ministry for Jesus Christ. And he labored daily for the Lord, knowing that dozens of people in congregations scattered throughout the Roman Empire were praying for him by name.
Do you pray regularly for your spouse? for your children? for your roommate? for your pastor and church staff? for the leaders of strategic Christian schools and organizations? They need your prayers just as badly as Paul needed the prayers of the Thessalonians. Take your calendar for December, and write the name of one person you will pray for on each day of the month.
THE MORE YOU PRAY, THE MORE YOU WILL BECOME CONVINCED OF ITS POWER.
INSIGHT
In Case You Missed It . . . | 2 Thes. 1:10
The subject of Jesus’ return (1:10) is mentioned 318 times in the 260 chapters of the New Testament.
INSIGHT
The Mark of Authenticity | 2 Thes. 3:17
Although Paul sometimes dictated his letters to a secretary (or an amanuensis such as Tertius; see Romans 16:22), he often added a line or two, written in his own hand (2 Thessalonians 3:17), in order to identify his letters as genuine (compare 1 Corinthians 16:21 and Colossians 4:18).
Greetings from Paul
1This letter is from Paul, Silas,* and Timothy.
We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2May God our Father* and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Encouragement during Persecution
3Dear brothers and sisters,* we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. 4We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. 5And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. 6In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you.
7And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, 8in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 9They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. 10When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him.
11So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.*