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2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians front

Introduction to 2 Thessalonians

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of the Book of 2 Thessalonians
  1. Greetings and thanksgiving (1:1-3)
  2. Christians suffering from persecution
    • They are worthy of the kingdom of God and of his promise of relief from trials (1:4-7)
    • God will judge those who persecute Christians (1:8-12)
  3. Some believers’ misunderstanding about the second coming of Christ
    • Christ’s return has not yet happened (2:1-2)
    • Instruction about the events that will precede the return of Christ (2:3-12)
  4. Paul’s confidence that God will save the Thessalonian Christians
    • His call to “stand firm” (2:13-15)
    • His prayer that God will comfort them (2:16-17)
  5. Paul requests that the Thessalonian believers pray for him (3:1-5)
  6. Paul give commands about idle believers (3:6-15)
  7. Closing (3:16-17)
Who wrote 2 Thessalonians?

Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians. He was from the city of Tarsus. He had been known as Saul in his early life. Before becoming a Christian, Paul was a Pharisee. He persecuted Christians. After he became a Christian, he traveled several times throughout the Roman Empire telling people about Jesus.

Paul wrote this letter while staying in the city of Corinth.

What is the Book of 2 Thessalonians about?

Paul wrote this letter to the believers in the city of Thessalonica. He encouraged the believers because they were being persecuted. He told them to continue living in a way that pleased God. And he wanted to teach them again about Christ’s return.

How should the title of this book be translated?

Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, “2 Thessalonians” or “Second Thessalonians.” Or they may choose a clearer title, such as “Paul’s Second Letter to the Church in Thessalonica,” or “The Second Letter to the Christians in Thessalonica.” (See: How to Translate Names)

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

What is the “second coming” of Jesus?

Paul wrote much in this letter about Jesus’ eventual return to Earth. When Jesus returns, he will judge all mankind. He will also rule over creation. And he will cause there to be peace everywhere. Paul also explained that a “man of lawlessness” will come before Christ’s return. This person will obey Satan and cause many people to oppose God. But Jesus will destroy this person when he returns.

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

What did Paul mean by the expression “in Christ,” “in the Lord,” etc.?

Paul meant to express the idea of a very close union with Christ and the believers. Please see the introduction to the Book of Romans for more details about this kind of expression.

What are the major issues in the text of the Book of 2 Thessalonians?

For the following verses, modern versions of the Bible differ from older versions. The ULT text has the modern reading and puts the older reading in a footnote. If a translation of the Bible exists in the general region, translators should consider using the reading found in those versions. If not, translators are advised to follow the modern reading. * “and the man of lawlessness is revealed” (2:3). The ULT, UST, and most modern versions read this way. Older versions have, “and the man of sin is revealed.” * “For God chose you as the firstfruits for salvation” (2:13) The ULT, UST, and some other versions read this way. Other versions have, “For God chose you from the first for salvation.”

(See: Textual Variants)

2 Thessalonians 1

2 Thessalonians 1 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Verses 1-2 formally introduce this letter. Letters in the ancient Near East commonly had introductions of this type.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Paradox

A paradox is a true statement that appears to describe something impossible. A paradox occurs in verses 4-5: “We talk about your patience and faith in all your persecutions. We talk about the afflictions that you endure. This is a sign of God’s righteous judgment.” People would not normally think that believing in God while being persecuted is a sign of God’s righteous judgment. But in verses 5-10, Paul explains how God will reward those who believe in him and how he will judge those who afflict them. (2 Thessalonians 1:4-5)

2 Thessalonians 1:1

Paul is the author of this letter, but he includes Silvanus and Timothy as senders of the letter. He begins by greeting the church at Thessalonica.

The words “we” and “us” refer to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, unless otherwise noted. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

The word “you” is plural and refers to the believers at the church of Thessalonica. (See: Forms of You)

Σιλουανὸς

This is the Latin form of “Silas.” He is the same person listed in the book of Acts as Paul’s fellow traveler.

2 Thessalonians 1:2

χάρις ὑμῖν

Paul commonly uses this greeting in his letters.

2 Thessalonians 1:3

Paul gives thanks for the believers in Thessalonica.

εὐχαριστεῖν ὀφείλομεν τῷ Θεῷ πάντοτε

Paul uses always as a generalization meaning “often” or “regularly.” The sentence emphasizes the greatness of what God is doing in the lives of the Thessalonian believers. Alternate translation: “We should often give thanks to God” (See: Hyperbole)

ἀδελφοί

Here, brothers means fellow Christians, including both men and women. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

καθὼς ἄξιόν ἐστιν

“for it is the right thing to do”

πλεονάζει ἡ ἀγάπη ἑνὸς ἑκάστου, πάντων ὑμῶν, εἰς ἀλλήλους

“you sincerely love one another more and more”

ἀλλήλους

Here, one another means fellow Christians.

2 Thessalonians 1:4

αὐτοὺς ἡμᾶς

Here, ourselves is used to emphasize Paul’s boasting. (See: Reflexive Pronouns)

2 Thessalonians 1:5

εἰς τὸ καταξιωθῆναι ὑμᾶς τῆς Βασιλείας τοῦ Θεοῦ

You can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “that God will consider you worthy to be part of his kingdom” (See: Active or Passive)

2 Thessalonians 1:6

As Paul continues, he talks about God being just.

εἴπερ δίκαιον παρὰ Θεῷ

“for God is certainly right” or “because God is just”

παρὰ Θεῷ, ἀνταποδοῦναι τοῖς θλίβουσιν ὑμᾶς θλῖψιν

Here, to return is a metaphor that means to cause someone to experience the same thing they did to someone else. Alternate translation: “for God to afflict those who are afflicting you” (See: Metaphor)

2 Thessalonians 1:7

καὶ ὑμῖν…ἄνεσιν

These words continue the description of what God is right “to return” to people (verse 6). This is a metaphor that means to cause someone to experience the same thing they did to someone else. Alternate translation: “and to relieve you” (See: Metaphor)

ὑμῖν…ἄνεσιν

You can make it explicit that God is the one who provides relief. Alternate translation: “for God to provide relief to you” (See: Ellipsis)

ἀγγέλων δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ

“his powerful angels”

2 Thessalonians 1:8

ἐν πυρὶ φλογός διδόντος ἐκδίκησιν τοῖς μὴ εἰδόσι Θεὸν

“he will punish with blazing fire those who do not know God” or “then with blazing fire he will punish those who do not know God”

2 Thessalonians 1:9

οἵτινες δίκην τίσουσιν ὄλεθρον αἰώνιον

Here, who refers to the people who do not obey the gospel. You can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the Lord will punish them with eternal destruction” (See: Active or Passive)

2 Thessalonians 1:10

ὅταν ἔλθῃ…ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ

Here, that day is the day when Jesus will return to the world.

ἐνδοξασθῆναι ἐν τοῖς ἁγίοις αὐτοῦ, καὶ θαυμασθῆναι ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς πιστεύσασιν

You can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “when his people will glorify him and all those who believed will stand in awe of him” (See: Active or Passive)

2 Thessalonians 1:11

καὶ προσευχόμεθα πάντοτε περὶ ὑμῶν

Paul is using always as an exaggeration in order to emphasize how often he prays for them. Alternate translation: “we also pray regularly for you” or “we continue to pray for you” (See: Hyperbole)

τῆς κλήσεως

Here, calling refers to God appointing or choosing people to be his children and servants, and to proclaim his message of salvation through Jesus.

πληρώσῃ πᾶσαν εὐδοκίαν ἀγαθωσύνης

“he would make you able to do good in every way that you desire”

2 Thessalonians 1:12

ὅπως ἐνδοξασθῇ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦ, ἐν ὑμῖν

You can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “so that you would glorify the name of our Lord Jesus” (See: Active or Passive)

καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐν αὐτῷ

You can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “and Jesus will glorify you” (See: Active or Passive)

κατὰ τὴν χάριν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν

“because of God’s grace”

2 Thessalonians 2

2 Thessalonians 2 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

“Being gathered together to be with him”

This passage refers to a time when Jesus calls to himself those who have believed in him. Scholars differ on whether or not this refers to Christ’s final glorious return. (See: believe, believer, belief, unbeliever, unbelief)

Man of lawlessness

This is the same as “son of destruction” and “lawless one” in this chapter. Paul associates him with Satan actively working in the world. (See: antichrist)

Sits in the temple of God

Paul could be referring to the Jerusalem temple that the Romans destroyed several years after he wrote this letter. Or he could be referring to a future physical temple, or to the church as the spiritual temple of God. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

2 Thessalonians 2:1

Paul exhorts believers not to be deceived about the day Jesus will come back.

δὲ

The word Now marks a change of topic in Paul’s instructions.

ἀδελφοί

Here, brothers means fellow Christians, including both men and women. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

2 Thessalonians 2:2

εἰς τὸ μὴ ταχέως σαλευθῆναι ὑμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ νοὸς, μηδὲ θροεῖσθαι

“so that you do not easily let yourselves be disturbed in your thinking”

διὰ πνεύματος, μήτε διὰ λόγου, μήτε δι’ ἐπιστολῆς, ὡς δι’ ἡμῶν

“by a spirit or a spoken word or by written letter that pretends to be coming from us”

ὡς ὅτι

“saying that”

ἡ ἡμέρα τοῦ Κυρίου

This refers to the time when Jesus will come back to the earth for all believers.

2 Thessalonians 2:3

Paul teaches about the man of lawlessness.

μὴ ἔλθῃ

“the day of the Lord will not come”

ἡ ἀποστασία

This refers to a future time when many people will turn away from God.

ἀποκαλυφθῇ ὁ ἄνθρωπος τῆς ἀνομίας

You can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God reveals the man of lawlessness” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁ υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας

Paul speaks of destruction as a person who bore a son whose goal is to totally destroy everything. Alternate translation: “the one who destroys everything he can” (See: Metaphor)

2 Thessalonians 2:4

πάντα λεγόμενον θεὸν ἢ σέβασμα

You can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “everything that people consider to be God or everything that people worship” (See: Active or Passive)

ἀποδεικνύντα ἑαυτὸν ὅτι ἔστιν Θεός

“showing himself as God”

2 Thessalonians 2:5

οὐ μνημονεύετε…ταῦτα

Paul uses a rhetorical question to remind them of his teaching when he was with them previously. This can be expressed as a statement. Alternate translation: “I am sure you remember … these things.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ταῦτα

This refers to the return of Jesus, the day of the Lord, and the man of lawlessness.

2 Thessalonians 2:6

τὸ ἀποκαλυφθῆναι αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ αὐτοῦ καιρῷ

You can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will reveal the man of lawlessness when the time is right” (See: Active or Passive)

2 Thessalonians 2:7

μυστήριον…τῆς ἀνομίας

This refers to a sacred secret that only God knows.

ὁ κατέχων

To restrain someone is to hold them back or to keep them from doing what they want to do.

2 Thessalonians 2:8

καὶ τότε ἀποκαλυφθήσεται ὁ ἄνομος

You can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “and then God will allow the lawless one to show himself” (See: Active or Passive)

τῷ πνεύματι τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ

Here, breath represents the power of God. Alternate translation: “by the power of his spoken word” (See: Metonymy)

καὶ καταργήσει τῇ ἐπιφανείᾳ τῆς παρουσίας αὐτοῦ

When Jesus returns to earth and shows himself, he will defeat the lawless one.

2 Thessalonians 2:9

ἐν πάσῃ δυνάμει, καὶ σημείοις, καὶ τέρασιν ψεύδους

“with all kinds of power, and signs, and false wonders”

2 Thessalonians 2:10

ἐν πάσῃ ἀπάτῃ ἀδικίας

This person will use every sort of evil to deceive people to believe in him instead of God.

τοῖς ἀπολλυμένοις

This man who is given power by Satan will deceive everyone who did not believe in Jesus.

ἀπολλυμένοις

Here, perishing has the concept of everlasting or eternal destruction.

2 Thessalonians 2:11

διὰ τοῦτο

“because the people do not love the truth”

πέμπει αὐτοῖς ὁ Θεὸς ἐνέργειαν πλάνης, εἰς τὸ πιστεῦσαι αὐτοὺς τῷ ψεύδει

Paul is speaking of God allowing something to happen to people as if he is sending them something. Alternate translation: “God is allowing the man of lawlessness to deceive them” (See: Metaphor)

2 Thessalonians 2:12

κριθῶσιν πάντες

You can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God will judge all of them” (See: Active or Passive)

οἱ μὴ πιστεύσαντες τῇ ἀληθείᾳ, ἀλλὰ εὐδοκήσαντες τῇ ἀδικίᾳ

“those who took pleasure in unrighteousness because they did not believe the truth”

2 Thessalonians 2:13

Paul gives thanks to God for the believers and encourages them.

Paul now changes topics.

δὲ

Paul uses this word here to mark a change in topic.

ἡμεῖς…ὀφείλομεν εὐχαριστεῖν…πάντοτε

The word always is a generalization. Alternate translation: “we should continually give thanks” (See: Hyperbole)

ἡμεῖς…ὀφείλομεν

Here, we refers to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy.

ἀδελφοὶ ἠγαπημένοι ὑπὸ Κυρίου

You can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “for the Lord loves you, brothers” (See: Active or Passive)

ἀδελφοὶ

Here, brothers means fellow Christians, including both men and women. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

ἀπαρχὴν εἰς σωτηρίαν ἐν ἁγιασμῷ Πνεύματος καὶ πίστει ἀληθείας

Being among the first people to be saved is spoken of as if the Thessalonian believers are firstfruits. (See: Metaphor)

ἀπαρχὴν εἰς σωτηρίαν ἐν ἁγιασμῷ Πνεύματος καὶ πίστει ἀληθείας

You can state this to remove the abstract nouns salvation, sanctification, belief, and truth. Alternate translation: “to be among the first people who believe what is true, and whom God has saved and set apart for himself by his Spirit” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Thessalonians 2:15

ἄρα οὖν, ἀδελφοί, στήκετε

Paul exhorts the believers to hold fast to their faith in Jesus.

κρατεῖτε τὰς παραδόσεις

Here, traditions refers to the truths of Christ that Paul and the other apostles taught. Paul speaks of them as if his readers could hold on to them with their hands. Alternate translation: “remember the traditions” or “believe the truths” (See: Metaphor)

ἐδιδάχθητε

You can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “we have taught you” (See: Active or Passive)

εἴτε διὰ λόγου, εἴτε δι’ ἐπιστολῆς ἡμῶν

Here, by word is a synecdoche for “by instructions” or “by teachings.” (See: Synecdoche)

εἴτε διὰ λόγου, εἴτε δι’ ἐπιστολῆς ἡμῶν

You can make clear the implicit information. Alternate translation: “whether by what we taught you in person or by what we wrote to you in a letter” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

2 Thessalonians 2:16

Paul ends with a blessing from God.

δὲ

Paul uses this word here to mark a change in topic.

ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν…ὁ ἀγαπήσας ἡμᾶς καὶ δοὺς

The words our and us refer to all believers. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

αὐτὸς…Κύριος ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς

Here, himself gives additional emphasis to the phrase Lord Jesus Christ. (See: Reflexive Pronouns)

2 Thessalonians 2:17

παρακαλέσαι ὑμῶν τὰς καρδίας, καὶ στηρίξαι

Here, hearts represents the seat of emotions. Alternate translation: “may he comfort you and strengthen you” (See: Metonymy)

παντὶ ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ ἀγαθῷ

“every good thing you do and say”

2 Thessalonians 3

2 Thessalonians 3 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Idle and lazy persons

In Thessalonica, there apparently was a problem with people in the church who were able to work but refused to do so. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

What should you do if your brother sins?

In this chapter, Paul teaches that Christians need to live in a way that honors God. Christians should also encourage one another and hold each other accountable for what they do. The church is also responsible for encouraging believers to repent if they sin. (See: repent, repentance and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

2 Thessalonians 3:1

Paul asks the believers to pray for him and his companions.

τὸ λοιπὸν

Paul uses the word Finally to mark a change in topic.

ἀδελφοί

Here, brothers means fellow Christians, including both men and women. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

ἵνα ὁ λόγος τοῦ Κυρίου τρέχῃ καὶ δοξάζηται, καθὼς καὶ πρὸς ὑμᾶς

Paul speaks of God’s word spreading as if it were running from place to place. (See: Metaphor)

ἵνα ὁ λόγος τοῦ Κυρίου τρέχῃ καὶ δοξάζηται, καθὼς καὶ πρὸς ὑμᾶς

You can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “that more and more people will soon hear our message about our Lord Jesus and honor it, as happened with you” (See: Active or Passive)

2 Thessalonians 3:2

ῥυσθῶμεν

You can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “God may save us” or “God may rescue us” (See: Active or Passive)

οὐ γὰρ πάντων ἡ πίστις

“for many people do not believe in Jesus”

2 Thessalonians 3:3

ὃς στηρίξει

“who will strengthen”

τοῦ πονηροῦ

“Satan”

2 Thessalonians 3:4

πεποίθαμεν

“we have faith” or “we trust”

2 Thessalonians 3:5

ὁ…Κύριος κατευθύναι ὑμῶν τὰς καρδίας

Here, hearts is a metonym for a person’s thoughts or mind. Alternate translation: “may the Lord cause you to understand” (See: Metonymy)

εἰς τὴν ἀγάπην τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ εἰς τὴν ὑπομονὴν τοῦ Χριστοῦ

Paul speaks of God’s love and Christ’s endurance as if they were destinations on a path. Alternate translation: “to know how much God loves you and how much Christ has endured for you” (See: Metaphor)

2 Thessalonians 3:6

Paul gives the believers some final instructions about working and not being idle.

δὲ

Paul uses this word to mark a change in topic.

ἀδελφοί

Here, brothers means fellow Christians, including both men and women. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

ἐν ὀνόματι τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

Here, name is a metonym for the person of Jesus Christ. Alternate translation: “as if our Lord Jesus Christ himself were speaking” (See: Metonymy)

τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν

Here, our refers to all believers. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

2 Thessalonians 3:7

μιμεῖσθαι ἡμᾶς

“to act the way that my fellow workers and I act”

οὐκ ἠτακτήσαμεν ἐν ὑμῖν

Paul uses a double negative to emphasize the positive. You can state this as a positive. Alternate translation: “we lived among you as those who had much discipline” (See: Double Negatives)

2 Thessalonians 3:8

νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας ἐργαζόμενοι

“working during the night and during the day.” Here, night and day are a merism and they mean “all the time.” Alternate translation: “working all the time” (See: Merism)

ἐν κόπῳ καὶ μόχθῳ

Paul emphasizes how hard his circumstances were. The word toil implies work that requires great effort. The word hardship implies they endured pain and suffering. Alternate translation: “in very difficult circumstances” (See: Doublet)

2 Thessalonians 3:9

οὐχ ὅτι οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν, ἀλλ’

Paul uses a double negative to emphasize the positive. You can state this as a positive. Alternate translation: “and we certainly have the right to receive food from you, but instead we worked for our food” (See: Double Negatives)

2 Thessalonians 3:10

εἴ τις οὐ θέλει ἐργάζεσθαι, μηδὲ ἐσθιέτω

You can state this in positive form. Alternate translation: “If a person wants to eat, he must work” (See: Double Negatives)

2 Thessalonians 3:11

τινας περιπατοῦντας…ἀτάκτως

Here, walking stands for behavior in life. Alternate translation: “some who are living idle lives” or “some who are being lazy” (See: Metaphor)

ἀλλὰ περιεργαζομένους

Meddlers are people who interfere in the affairs of others without being asked to help.

2 Thessalonians 3:12

μετὰ ἡσυχίας

“in a quiet, peaceful, and mild manner.” Paul exhorts the meddlers to stop getting involved in other people’s affairs.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

δέ

Paul uses this word to contrast the lazy believers with the hardworking believers.

ὑμεῖς

The word you refers to all the Thessalonian believers. (See: Forms of You)

ἀδελφοί

Here, brothers means fellow Christians, including both men and women. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

2 Thessalonians 3:14

εἰ…τις οὐχ ὑπακούει τῷ λόγῳ ἡμῶν

“if anyone does not obey our instructions”

τοῦτον σημειοῦσθε

Notice who he is. Alternate translation: “publicly identify that person” (See: Idiom)

ἵνα ἐντραπῇ

Paul instructs believers to shun lazy believers as a disciplinary action.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Paul makes closing remarks to the believers at Thessalonica.

αὐτὸς…ὁ Κύριος τῆς εἰρήνης, δῴη ὑμῖν

You can make explicit that this is Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians. Alternate translation: “I pray that the Lord of peace himself gives you” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

αὐτὸς…ὁ Κύριος τῆς εἰρήνης

Here, himself emphasizes that the Lord will personally give peace to believers. (See: Reflexive Pronouns)

2 Thessalonians 3:17

ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ χειρὶ, Παύλου, ὅ ἐστιν σημεῖον ἐν πάσῃ ἐπιστολῇ, οὕτως γράφω

“I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, which I do in every letter, as a sign that this letter is truly from me”

οὕτως γράφω

Paul makes it clear that this letter is from him and is not a forgery.