The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
2Th 1:1a Paul 1 Thes. 1:1
2Th 1:11 church
See note 11 in 1 Thes. 1.
2Th 1:12 Thessalonians
See note 12 in 1 Thes. 1.
2Th 1:3a thank 1 Thes. 1:2; 2 Thes. 2:13
2Th 1:31b faith 1 Thes. 1:3; 3:6; 5:8
See note 32 in 1 Thes. 1. In the first Epistle to the Thessalonians, faith and love were considered constructing elements of the believers’ life for the church. Here, in this Epistle, faith and love are growing and increasing in the Thessalonians’ Christian life.
2Th 1:4a boast 2 Cor. 7:4, 14; 9:2-3
2Th 1:41 endurance
The endurance issued from and was supported by the hope of the Lord’s coming back (1 Thes. 1:3). Such endurance resulting from hope is always accompanied by faith. Hence, the phrase endurance and faith is used here. Both endurance and faith are needed in persecutions and afflictions.
2Th 1:4b persecutions Mark 10:30; 2 Cor. 12:10
2Th 1:5a indication Phil. 1:28
2Th 1:51 righteous
God’s judgment is righteous and just upon all men. It will be finalized in the future (Rom. 2:5-9; Rev. 20:11-15). The way God deals with different people in this age is an indication, a token, a proof, of the future execution of His righteous judgment.
2Th 1:5b worthy 2 Thes. 1:11; Luke 20:35; Rev. 3:4
2Th 1:52c kingdom 1 Cor. 6:9, 10; James 2:5
The believers have been called into God’s kingdom and glory (1 Thes. 2:12). To enter into this kingdom, we need to pass through afflictions (Acts 14:22). Hence, the persecutions and afflictions are a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment, showing that we may be accounted worthy of the kingdom of God.
2Th 1:71 rest
Or, relief, ease, repose, liberty. In this age the believers suffer persecutions and troubles for the Lord. At the Lord’s coming back they will be relieved of their sufferings and will enter into the Lord’s rest and enjoy its liberty.
2Th 1:7a revelation Luke 17:30; 1 Pet. 1:7
2Th 1:7b heaven 1 Thes. 4:16; Acts 1:11
2Th 1:7c angels Matt. 16:27
2Th 1:7d fire Isa. 66:15; Mal. 4:1; Rev. 10:1; 1 Cor. 3:13; Heb. 10:27; 12:29
2Th 1:8a not 1 Thes. 4:5
2Th 1:8b obey Rom. 16:26
2Th 1:81 Christ
Some MSS omit, Christ.
2Th 1:9a destruction Phil. 3:19; 2 Pet. 3:7
2Th 1:91 presence
Lit., face.
2Th 1:9b glory Matt. 25:31
2Th 1:10a comes 1 Thes. 1:10
2Th 1:101b glorified John 17:10
The Lord is the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:8); He was glorified in His resurrection and ascension (John 17:1; Luke 24:26; Heb. 2:9). Now He is in us as the hope of glory (Col. 1:27) to bring us into glory (Heb. 2:10). At His coming back, on the one hand He will come from the heavens with glory (Rev. 10:1; Matt. 25:31), and on the other hand He will be glorified in His saints; that is, His glory will be manifested from within His members, causing their body of humiliation to be transfigured into His glory, conforming it to the body of His glory (Phil. 3:21). Thus, the unbelievers will marvel at Him, admire Him, wonder at Him, in us, His believers.
2Th 1:10c testimony 1 Cor. 1:6
2Th 1:10d that 2 Tim. 1:12, 18; 1 Cor. 3:13
2Th 1:11b worthy 2 Thes. 1:5
2Th 1:111 good
Or, delight. The apostles prayed that God might fulfill the good intention, the delight, of the Thessalonians for goodness.
2Th 1:11d work 1 Thes. 1:3
2Th 1:12a name 2 Thes. 3:6
2Th 1:121 grace
The grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ is the Lord Himself within us as our life and life supply that we may live a life that will glorify the Lord and cause us to be glorified in Him. See notes 171 in John 1, 101 in 1 Cor. 15, and 141 in 2 Cor. 13.
2Th 2:11 with
Or, on behalf of.
2Th 2:12a coming 2 Thes. 2:8; 1 Thes. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15
Gk. parousia, meaning presence. See notes 191 in 1 Thes. 2 and 33 in Matt. 24. Two matters are covered here: the Lord’s parousia (presence) and our gathering together (rapture) to Him. The Lord’s parousia will begin with the rapture of the overcomers to the throne of God in heaven (Rev. 12:5-6); at the end of the great tribulation, which will occur in the last three and a half years of this age, the second half of the last week in Dan. 9:27 (Matt. 24:21 and note; Rev. 11:2 and note 4), it will come to the air (Rev. 10:1 and note 2) and last for a time; and it will end with its manifestation, “the manifestation of His parousia” (v. 8; Matt. 24:30 and note 4). During the time in which the Lord’s parousia remains in the air, the majority of the believers will be raptured to meet the Lord there (1 Thes. 4:17). According to the context, the day of the Lord in v. 2 refers to the day of the Lord’s parousia (coming), in which the rapture of the majority of the believers will occur. Verse 3 tells us affirmatively that before that day Antichrist will be revealed to play the major role in the great tribulation (v. 4; Rev. 13:1-8, 12-15). This reveals clearly and definitely that the Lord’s coming (parousia) to the air and the rapture of the majority of the believers cannot take place before the great tribulation.
2Th 2:1b gathering 1 Thes. 4:17
2Th 2:13 to
Lit., toward.
2Th 2:21 in
Lit., from the mind; i.e., “from a steady and soberly judging mind” (Darby).
2Th 2:22a spirit 1 Cor. 12:10; 1 John 4:1
Referring to a speaking spirit that pretends and claims to have the authority of divine revelation.
2Th 2:23 day
See note 22 in 1 Thes. 5.
2Th 2:31 deceive
Or, beguile; “not only making a false impression, but actually leading astray” (Vincent).
2Th 2:32a apostasy 1 Tim. 4:1
I.e., falling away (from the straight way of God’s economy as revealed in the Scriptures).
2Th 2:33 man
Antichrist, as prophesied in Dan. 7:20-21, 24-26; 9:27; 11:36-37; Rev. 13:1-8, 12-18; 19:19-20. He will be the man of lawlessness and will change laws, destroy and corrupt many to an extraordinary degree, blaspheme God, and deceive men. Hence, the Lord will utterly destroy him, and he will become the son of perdition.
2Th 2:3b lawlessness 2 Thes. 2:7-8; Matt. 7:23; Rom. 6:19
2Th 2:3c son cf. John 17:12
2Th 2:3d perdition 2 Thes. 2:8; Dan. 7:26; 8:25; Rev. 19:20
2Th 2:41a exalts cf. Isa. 14:13
This fulfills the prophecy concerning Antichrist in Dan. 11:36-37. This will take place in the second half of the last week, as prophesied in Dan. 9:27. See note 151 in Matt. 24.
2Th 2:4b God 1 Cor. 8:5
2Th 2:4c sits cf. Isa. 14:13-14; Ezek. 28:2
2Th 2:42d temple cf. Matt. 24:15
This is “the holy place” in Matt. 24:15, indicating that the temple of God will be rebuilt before the Lord comes back.
2Th 2:61 restrains
This refers to some power that hinders the revelation of the man of lawlessness, Antichrist.
2Th 2:62 time
The time appointed by God, which will be the last of the seventy weeks, as prophesied in Dan. 9:27; 7:24-26; Rev. 13:1-8.
2Th 2:71 mystery
The lawlessness that will characterize Antichrist (v. 3) is already operating in this age mysteriously. It is the mystery of lawlessness working today among the nations and in human society.
2Th 2:7a lawlessness 2 Thes. 2:3
2Th 2:72 goes
This probably means that the restraining one is taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8a lawless 2 Thes. 2:3
2Th 2:81 slay
This will be fulfilled in Rev. 19:19-20.
2Th 2:82b breath Job 4:9; Isa. 11:4
The same Greek word as for spirit.
2Th 2:8c mouth Rev. 2:16; 19:15, 21
2Th 2:8d bring 2 Thes. 2:3
2Th 2:83 manifestation
Or, shining forth. This indicates that the Lord’s coming (parousia) will be hidden before it is manifested openly (see note 271 in Matt. 24). This indicates also that the Lord’s coming will last a period of time (see note 12). First, it will be in secret, and then it will be manifested to the public.
2Th 2:84e coming 2 Thes. 2:1
See note 12.
2Th 2:91 according
As prophesied in Rev. 13:2, 4, 7.
2Th 2:9a power Rev. 13:2; Dan. 8:24
2Th 2:9b signs Rev. 13:13-14; Matt. 24:24
2Th 2:92 lie
The entire operation of Satan to deceive people (v. 10) is in its totality a lie, just as he is a liar and the father of liars (John 8:44).
2Th 2:10a perishing 1 Cor. 1:18; 2 Cor. 2:15; 4:3
2Th 2:111 because
Because the perishing ones did not receive the love of the truth, which God intended to give them that they might be saved (v. 10), God sends to them an operation of error, an active power of misleading, that they might believe the lie.
2Th 2:11a sends cf. Rom. 1:24, 26, 28
2Th 2:11b lie 1 Tim. 4:2; Rom. 1:25
2Th 2:12a truth Rom. 1:18; 2:8
2Th 2:121 pleasure
The believers have a good intention for goodness (1:11); the perishing ones (v. 10), who reject the truth of God, take pleasure in unrighteousness. To sin is a delight to them (Rom. 1:32).
2Th 2:13a thank 2 Thes. 1:3
2Th 2:13b beloved 1 Thes. 1:4
2Th 2:131c chose 1 Thes. 1:4
God loved us (v. 16), chose us from the beginning, and called us through the gospel (v. 14). He chose us unto His salvation, which is by sanctification of the Spirit, and He called us to the obtaining of the Lord’s glory. Now He is taking us on with eternal comfort and good hope in grace.
2Th 2:132 from
I.e., from eternity past (cf. Eph. 1:4). Some ancient MSS read, as firstfruits.
2Th 2:13e salvation 1 Thes. 5:9
2Th 2:133f sanctification 1 Thes. 4:3; Rom. 15:16; 1 Pet. 1:2
Sanctification of the Spirit consists of three steps: (1) the Spirit’s seeking us and convicting us at the time that He caused us to repent and believe (1 Pet. 1:2; John 16:8); (2) His sanctifying us both positionally and dispositionally (Heb. 13:12; 1 Cor. 6:11) at the time we were saved; and (3) His sanctifying us dispositionally as we pursue the growth in life (Rom. 6:19, 22). By these three steps of the Spirit’s sanctification, God’s salvation is applied to us that we may obtain and enjoy it fully. The three steps of the Spirit’s sanctification not only separate us from all old and negative things, making us holy unto God, but also sanctify us, making us a new creation full of the Lord’s essence and element, that we may obtain the Lord’s glory.
2Th 2:134 belief
Or, faith. By the Spirit’s sanctification God’s salvation is revealed and brought to us; by our believing we receive all that is revealed and brought to us by the Spirit, so that we obtain God’s salvation.
2Th 2:13g truth 1 Tim. 2:4
2Th 2:141 which
Referring to salvation in sanctification… and belief… in the preceding verse. God chose us unto salvation in eternity, and then in time He called us unto the obtaining of the glory of our Lord. Salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth is the procedure; the obtaining of the glory of our Lord is the goal.
2Th 2:14a called 1 Thes. 2:12; 1 Pet. 5:10
2Th 2:14b gospel 1 Thes. 1:5
2Th 2:142c glory Matt. 25:31
The glory of the Lord is that He, as the Son of God the Father, possesses the Father’s life and nature that He may express the Father. To obtain the Lord’s glory is to be in the same position as the Son of God that we may express the Father (John 17:22 and note 1).
2Th 2:15a stand 1 Cor. 16:13; Phil. 4:1
2Th 2:151b things 2 Thes. 3:6; 1 Cor. 11:2
See note 21 in 1 Cor. 11.
2Th 2:161 Lord
Our Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father work together to comfort and establish the believers (v. 17).
2Th 2:16a loved John 3:16; 1 John 4:10
2Th 2:162 eternal
Not temporary and transitory comfort and strengthening but eternal comfort by the divine life. This comfort is sufficient for any kind of environment and situation; thus, it is with good hope.
2Th 2:163 good
The hope of glory (Col. 1:27), which is the hope of the Lord’s coming (1 Thes. 1:3), when we will be either resurrected or transfigured into glory (1 Thes. 4:13-14; Phil. 3:21; Heb. 2:10).
2Th 2:16b hope 1 Pet. 1:3; Eph. 1:18; 4:4
2Th 2:164 grace
God Himself in Christ for us to enjoy (see note 171 in John 1) that we may be sanctified by His Spirit (v. 13) and comforted and established (v. 17) with eternal comfort and good hope.
2Th 2:17a establish 2 Thes. 3:3; 1 Thes. 3:2, 13; 1 Pet. 5:10
2Th 3:1a pray 1 Thes. 5:25; Eph. 6:18-19; Col. 4:3
2Th 3:1b run Psa. 147:15
2Th 3:11 glorified
To have the divine riches contained in the word of the Lord released and expressed in the believers’ living.
2Th 3:12 with
Lit., toward.
2Th 3:2a delivered Rom. 15:31
2Th 3:2b faith Acts 28:24
2Th 3:3a faithful 1 Thes. 5:24; 1 Cor. 1:9
2Th 3:31b establish 2 Thes. 2:17
By eternal comfort and good hope (2:16-17).
2Th 3:32 guard
The entire world lies in the evil one (1 John 5:19), but the divine life, which we have by being born of God, keeps and guards us from him (1 John 5:18, 4; 3:8-9).
2Th 3:3c evil John 17:15; Matt. 6:13
2Th 3:41b charge 2 Thes. 3:6, 10, 12; 1 Thes. 4:2, 11
Such as the charges in 1 Thes. 4:2-4, 9-12; 5:11-22; 2 Thes. 2:2, 15; 3:6, 10, 12-15.
2Th 3:51a direct 1 Thes. 3:11
By the leading of the Spirit, through whom the love of God has been poured out into our hearts (Rom. 8:14; 5:5).
2Th 3:5b hearts 1 Chron. 29:18
2Th 3:52 into
I.e., to love God with the love of God that we have enjoyed and experienced.
2Th 3:53c love Mark 12:30
Our love toward God, issuing from the love of God (1 John 4:19) that has been poured out into our hearts.
2Th 3:54 into
I.e., to endure with the endurance of Christ that we have enjoyed and experienced.
2Th 3:55 endurance
On the positive side, we need to enjoy the love of God that we may love Him in order to live for Him, and on the negative side, we need to participate in the endurance of Christ that we may endure sufferings, as He did, to stand against Satan, the enemy of God. Loving God and enduring sufferings are excellent characteristics of a Christian living.
2Th 3:6a name 2 Thes. 1:12; 1 Cor. 5:4
2Th 3:6b keep 2 Thes. 3:14
2Th 3:61 walking
See note 141 in 1 Thes. 5. Cf. vv. 7, 11. To walk disorderly not only is according to the flesh (Rom. 8:4) but also is against the building up of the church life (1 Thes. 5:11; Rom. 14:19; 1 Cor. 10:23).
2Th 3:6c disorderly 2 Thes. 3:11; 1 Thes. 5:14
2Th 3:62d things 2 Thes. 2:15
See note 21 in 1 Cor. 11.
2Th 3:7a imitate 2 Thes. 3:9; 1 Thes. 1:6; 1 Cor. 4:16
2Th 3:71 not
The apostles were for the building up of the church in all things (2 Cor. 12:19); they were absolutely not disorderly among the believers but were a pattern for the believers to imitate (v. 9).
2Th 3:8a labor Acts 20:35; Eph. 4:28
2Th 3:8b worked 2 Thes. 3:12; 1 Thes. 2:9; Acts 18:3
2Th 3:8c burdensome 2 Cor. 11:7, 9; 12:13-14, 16
2Th 3:9a right 1 Cor. 9:4, 6, 12
2Th 3:9b pattern Phil. 3:17; 1 Pet. 5:3; cf. 1 Thes. 1:7
2Th 3:9c imitate 2 Thes. 3:7
2Th 3:10a charge 2 Thes. 3:4
2Th 3:11a disorderly 2 Thes. 3:6
2Th 3:111b busybodies 1 Tim. 5:13; 1 Pet. 4:15
They were busy but were doing no work at all; i.e., they were busy with only what was not their own business.
2Th 3:12a charge 2 Thes. 3:4
2Th 3:12b exhort 1 Thes. 2:3; 4:1
2Th 3:12c work 2 Thes. 3:8
2Th 3:12d quietness 1 Thes. 4:11
2Th 3:12e eat cf. 2 Thes. 3:8
2Th 3:14a not Matt. 18:17
2Th 3:141b not 1 Cor. 5:9, 11
I.e., not to have company, not to keep company.
2Th 3:15a admonish 1 Thes. 5:12, 14; cf. Matt. 18:15; Lev. 19:17
2Th 3:16a peace 1 Thes. 5:23; Rom. 15:33
2Th 3:161b peace Num. 6:26
By keeping the charge in vv. 12-15, the believers receive peace from the Lord continually in every way.
2Th 3:16c with Matt. 28:20; Ruth 2:4
2Th 3:17a my 1 Cor. 16:21; Col. 4:18
2Th 3:181a grace 1 Thes. 5:28
It is only when the Lord is enjoyed by us as grace that we can guard the church life from any kind of misleading and disorderliness. To live a proper church life and to keep the church life in order, we need to enjoy the Lord as the supplying grace. See note 281 in 1 Thes. 5.