April 9, 2025
2 Thessalonians 2 ESV
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. 5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Discussion Questions:
1) What was the current situation of the Thessalonian brethren when Paul wrote his second letter?
2) How was Paul encouraging the brethren this time?
Discussion Summary:
There are various views as to who wrote 2 Thessalonians and when it was written. We are assuming it was written by the Apostle Paul while he was in the city of Corinth, possibly within a year of writing 1 Thessalonians. He wrote the second time to further encourage the brethren in Thessalonica and to correct their misunderstandings from the first letter.
The second letter shows that the brethren in Thessalonica were growing in faith and continuing to show their love for one another. They were under increasing persecutions within their city from their neighbours. Paul desires them to remain steadfast in their faith and to persevere under severe trials.
Paul’s tone has changed from the first letter he wrote. In the first letter he was full of gentle sympathy and referred to them as his children. Now in a firm, fatherly tone he is explaining the reason for their persecution and how they need to approach these trials because at the moment they are in a “frenzy,” “distraught,” “shaken in mind” (2 Thessalonians 2:2).
In verse 5, Paul explains that God’s judgement is righteous. God’s method of dealing with the brethren in Thessalonica is developing fruitage. It is having its intended effect. Even though other Christians such as Paul himself in Corinth are not being dealt with in this same manner, they see the example of their suffering brethren and it is giving them courage. Paul wants them to look at their suffering as something positive as we should too (Hebrews 12:7).
The Thessalonians are also to realize that God’s judgement will also be ultimately brought to bear on those who are persecuting them. This justice may seem long in coming (Romans 9:20-23). Meanwhile they are to have the example of Stephen, the first martyr, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60). This judgement process against the wicked is long and complicated taking the entire 1,000-year kingdom. It begins when Christ is “revealed” (Greek: apokalypsei).
We also note the secondary theme of prayer throughout 2 Thessalonians. Chapter 1 begins with a “prayer” in verse 3 and closes with a “prayer” in verse 11.
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