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Christ's Coming in Judgment and Glory (2 Thess. 1) |
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Paul begins this second epistle much like
he opened the first with a warm greeting and thanksgiving for their
perseverance in the faith. Paul commends them for their faithfulness in
the midst of affliction and defends their suffering as an indication of
the righteous judgement of God. This might seem a bit backward to them,
but what Paul is trying to get across to them is that they suffer in order
that they might be prepared to enter the Kingdom of God. Those who
persecute the people of God will fall subject to His final judgement,
being repaid by His wrath, and destined to suffer in eternal destruction
apart from Him. However, in the present time, it is for the good of his
people that he allows the to triumph over them. Finally, Paul encourages
them to live in anticipation of the day when Christ will be revealed in
his glory. For He will exclude those who have rejected him and through His
people, He will be glorified.
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Christ's Coming and the Man of Lawlessness (2 Thess. 2) |
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In addition to those who were persecuting
the Thessalonians, Paul was equally concerned about the false teachers
that were among them. Paul begins by refuting the misconception that the
day of the Lord had come, which they had acquired through false teaching.
Paul follows this with an attempt to equip them with the truth concerning
this age and the age to come. Before the day of the Lord the Man of
Lawlessness will appear and lead a rebellion, against both the law and
against God Himself.
| Christ's Coming and Christian Discipline (2 Thess. 3) |
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In this final section of his writing to
the Thessalonians, Paul concludes by exhorting them to prayer and
discipline. He appeals to them to be in prayer for the furtherance of the
gospel and commends their faith by expressing his confidence in God
concerning their faithfulness and perseverance. He warns them against
idleness as he instructs them to follow his example in continuing to work
hard and avoiding being a burden to others. Paul then becomes very
confrontational directly addressing the idle and undisciplined. He charges
them to work hard in quiet and to provide be responsible in making
provision for themselves. The Thessalonians are not to associate with
those who disregard Paul's teaching, but they are to continue to treat
them as brothers not as enemies.
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