CHAPTER TWENTY
The Second Letter to the Thessalonians
Orientation
There is hardly a letter more fully eschatological—that is, concerned with the “end”—than Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians. Though the letter is short, the entire first half of the letter deals exclusively with issues related to the end of the age, which will be heralded by the return of Christ.
The Historical Origins of 2 Thessalonians
The Thessalonians have been enduring persecution, and the return of Christ is the hope to which Paul points. When the Lord comes, he will bring peace for the afflicted and wrath for those who persecute God’s people. The day of the Lord will see the terrible vengeance of God alongside the glory of Christ. It will bring salvation and judgment. In the meantime, believers must stand firm, holding on to what they have been taught, knowing that Christ himself will encourage their hearts.
Exploration—Reading 2 Thessalonians
Judgment and Glory
READ 2 THESSALONIANS 1:1–12
The letter begins with a greeting from Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy (as does 1 Thessalonians), after which Paul expresses his thankfulness for the Thessalonians’ flourishing faith and love, and for their perseverance through persecutions and afflictions (1:3–4).
Figure 20.1. Thessalonica ruins [Shutterstock / stoyanh]
The persecutions and afflictions that the Thessalonians have faced spark one of Paul’s most fiery descriptions of God’s righteous judgment. While their persecution is evidence that the Thessalonians will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, it will cause God to “repay with affliction those who afflict you” (1:5–6). God will bring relief for the afflicted at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven, which will also bring “vengeance with flaming fire” on those who reject God (1:7–8).
The Structure of 2 Thessalonians
God’s vengeance on the disobedient will result in their eternal destruction. This is described as “from the Lord’s presence,” though is sometimes understood as “away from the Lord’s presence” (1:9). Most likely the former option is correct, indicating that the Lord himself will enforce the destruction of those under his judgment through his glorious strength.
All of this will happen on the day of Jesus’s return. Though it will be a day of judgment, it will also be a day of glory, as Christ is glorified by all who have believed in him (1:10). In this way, we see that glory and judgment go hand in hand. The final victory of Christ and his people can be fully consummated only when evil has been overthrown and abolished. Both are wrapped up in the return of Christ.
This reality inspires Paul’s prayers for the Thessalonians, that they will remain worthy of Christ and that the Lord Jesus would be glorified in their lives according to the grace of God (1:11–12).
When the Day of the Lord Comes
READ 2 THESSALONIANS 2:1–12
Since Paul has been talking about the return of Christ, he addresses the issue of when this will or will not happen. He doesn’t want the Thessalonians to become distressed by people claiming that the day of the Lord has already come and they missed it somehow (2:1–2).
The Day of the Lord
The Thessalonians should not be deceived by such false claims, since the day of the Lord will be preceded by certain things that have not yet come. First there will be “the apostasy,” and the “man of lawlessness” will come. Whoever this man of lawlessness is, he will make himself an object of worship, proclaiming himself to be God. This man of lawlessness is currently being restrained, but he will be released and revealed (2:3–8).
The Man of Lawlessness
Wrath, Judgment, Hell, and Fire
But the lawless one will be destroyed by the Lord Jesus “with the breath of his mouth,” and he will come to nothing. The lawless one works in conjunction with Satan to perform false miracles, signs, and deceptions. Sadly, he will drag people away with his deceptions. God even allows such people to be deceived because that will confirm their rejection of the truth (2:8–12). All in all, this is a tough passage that raises several unanswered questions. We can only assume that Paul’s readers knew what he was talking about (2:5).
The Breath of His Mouth
Chosen for Salvation
READ 2 THESSALONIANS 2:13–3:5
Again thanking God for the Thessalonians, Paul reflects on the fact that they were chosen by God from the beginning. God called them to sanctification by the Spirit and to share in the glory of Christ through the gospel. Because of this work of God in their lives, the Thessalonians are to stand firm in what they have been taught (2:13–15). God gives eternal encouragement and good hope to strengthen the believers in every good work (2:16–17).
Figure 20.2. The Last Judgment by Pieter Huys [The Walters Art Museum. Acquired by Henry Walters with the Massarenti Collection, 1902.]
Just as Paul and his colleagues pray for them, he asks the Thessalonians to pray for their needs too. Paul asks for prayer concerning the word of the Lord, that it would spread and be honored. He also asks that he and his team would be delivered from wicked people. Paul trusts in the faithfulness of God, who will guard the Thessalonians from the evil one. They have done well so far, and the Lord gives Paul confidence that they will continue in the same way (3:1–5).
Against Idleness
READ 2 THESSALONIANS 3:6–15
It seems that idleness is a bit of a problem in Thessalonica. After the gentler encouragement in 1 Thessalonians 4:10–12, now Paul steps it up to disciplining action. Believers are to disassociate from anyone who remains lazy (3:6, 14–15). Instead of being idle, believers should follow Paul’s example: he and his colleagues worked hard day and night and were a burden on no one (3:7–8).
Though the servants of the gospel have a right to be supported financially, they set an example for the Thessalonians to follow, insisting that everyone should make a meaningful contribution of work. Instead of being busy with work, some are “busybodies,” probably occupying themselves in gossip and idle chitchat. Paul again commands them to work and provide for themselves (3:9–13).
Final Greetings
READ 2 THESSALONIANS 3:16–18
Paul concludes the letter with his own handwritten greeting, wishing peace for the believers in every way. The Lord of peace will grant them peace, will be with them, and will give them grace (3:16–18).
Implementation—Reading 2 Thessalonians as Christian Scripture Today
Persecution of believers still happens today. Though Western believers may experience it only verbally or socially, nevertheless these subtle forms of persecution challenge us to live out our faith in Christ. And the harsh reality for many non-Western believers around the world involves physical persecution and violence. Though often neglected, 2 Thessalonians continues to offer hope to persecuted believers.
The return of the Lord Jesus Christ is the event toward which all history is headed, and when he comes, his magnificent glory will be revealed for all to see. But alongside his glory will come his wrath, poured out upon those who are opposed to God and those who have so violently persecuted the faithful.
The call for believers today is the same as in Paul’s day: stand firm. Believers have been called through the gospel to obtain the glory of Christ. The world as we know it is passing away, and glory is coming. Until then we must allow the Lord to direct our hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.
- Do you find the idea of Jesus’s vengeance difficult to accept (2 Thess. 1:7–8)? Why or why not?
- The phrase “they will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence” (2 Thess. 1:9) could also be rendered “they will pay the penalty of eternal destruction away from the Lord’s presence.” Discuss which you think is most likely and why.
- Interpretations of who “the man of lawlessness” might be (2 Thess. 2:3–4) abound throughout church history. Who do you think it might be? Does it refer to an actual person, or a “type” of person?
- What exactly is wrong with idleness (2 Thess. 3:6–15)? Why should believers work, and what about those who can’t work for reasons of health, age, or situation?