Exposition of 2 Thessalonians 2. Class 6, 7, and 8

Tod Kennedy, March 31-April 14, 2010

2 Thessalonians 2 Outline

1.     Verses 1-2. The Day of the Lord has not come; it is still future.

2.      Verses 3-5. The apostasy and the man of sin-lawlessness will be revealed when the Day of the Lord begins.

3.     Verses 6-7. The restrainer holds back the lawless man until the right time, but meanwhile the mystery of lawlessness is working.

4.     Verses 8-12. Once the restrainer is removed the lawless one, ruled by Satan, will be revealed; and he will work Satanic wickedness on those who did not believe the truth.

5.     Verses13-17. God chose believers for salvation through sanctification by the Holy Spirit and faith in the truth, so stand firm in the faith and doctrine.

Main points of Bible doctrine that chapter 2 presents

1.     Knowing biblical prophecy orients us to God’s world and God’s plan.

2.     The biblical worldview shapes how we should look at life around us—morality, values, truth, money, responsibility, politics, religion, and more.

3.     When one rejects God’s word one becomes vulnerable to all kinds of lies and propaganda. Furthermore it corrupts one’s ability to evaluate truth, meaning, and values.

4.     The Holy Spirit has extensive ministry in restraining evil in the world on the one hand and in bringing people to faith in Christ and spiritual growth on the other hand.

5.     Faith must have the right object to be of any value. God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the gospel, and the Bible are right objects of faith.

6.     Faith in Jesus Christ for eternal salvation grants of many blessings because our relationship with him and in him.

7.     Both God the Father and God the Son treat us in grace—from loving us to providing comfort, encouragement, and hope.

8.     One good prayer, which Paul prayed, is that God will comfort and strengthen our hearts as we serve him.

2 Thessalonians 2 exposition

1.     Verses 1-2. The Day of the Lord has not come; it is still future.

1.1.          Verse 1. Paul begins with a statement of the Lord coming and gathering believers to himself. Those he gathers are church age believers “our gathering together to Him.” Paul also taught this in his first letter to the Thessalonians, chapter 4. This is the rapture. “Gathering together” is episunagoge. It is also used in Hebrews 10:25, “assembling together.”

1.2.          Verse 2. We have a prepositional phrase with the infinitive is indicating an object clause, what Paul is asking. Shaken is the word saleuo in the aorist passive infinitive. The word means to rock or vibrate or move up and down or roll like a ship in a stormy sea. The passive voice indicates that something is shaking them—their misunderstanding of the historical events within the biblical teaching about the future.

1.2.1.   They were shaken by false information. Paul says that false information could come from a spirit such as a false prophetic speaker, or a word or message that someone brought, or even from a counterfeit letter that claimed to be from him.

1.2.2.   The false teaching said that the day of the Lord has set in (enistemi in the perfect active indicative). That was wrong. They were not in the day of the Lord.

1.2.3.   Note the devastating effect that ignorance or wrong sources of teaching can cause. Beware of your sources of teaching about the Bible. This false information shook their minds and frightened them.

2.     Verses 3-5. The apostasy and the man of sin-lawlessness will be revealed when the Day of the Lord begins. Spiritual deception is the way of Satan and his supporters. The only way to recognize and reject spiritual deception is to learn the truth—the Bible. Certain events must happen before the day of the Lord will be evident. They are worldwide apostasy (3), the man of sin-lawlessness will be revealed (3 and 8), and the restrainer removed (7).

2.1.          Apostasy is apostosia and the primary meaning is defection or rebellion, though some translate it as departure. Defection seems to be  the primary meaning. This refers to a definite world wide rebellion against God and his word. This word for apostasy is also found in Acts 21:21 where they accuse Paul of telling Jews to forsake Moses.

2.2.          The man of sin-lawlessness will be revealed (aorist passive subjunctive of apokalupto; to uncover, unmask, reveal; also in 2:6 and 8). This means that he will become the public leader of an evil and anti-God worldview and policy. “Of sin-lawlessness” indicates relationship and characteristics. Son of destruction further indicates that he will be characterized by destruction of whatever is in his path to power and complete control. Furthermore, his end will be destruction. The NT ften his word to emphasize future destruction (Romans 9:22; Philippians 1:28 and 3:19; 1Timothy 6:9; Hebrews 10:39; 2 Peter 3:16).

2.2.1.   I have used both lawless and sin for this dictator. The external or mss evidence is divided. Sin seems to be the better attested reading. “Lawlessness” is attested in two good Egyptian mss (Aleph and B), but “sin is attested in A, D, F, G, Psi, and others. Sin is also the harder reading.

2.3.          Verse 4. This man will proclaim himself as god and above gods. He will oppose worship of anyone or anything else. He will take over the Jerusalem temple that he have been rebuilt. He will publically claim to be God. All of this indicates a world wide Satan inspired and controlled religion. Revelation 17 adds details. This will all happen in the tribulation period.

2.4.          Verse 5. Paul taught the Thessalonian believers these truths during the short time he was with them. We learn from this that Paul taught prophecy even to these new believers. He did so in order to orient them to the world, both present and future.

3.     Verses 6-7. The restrainer holds back the lawless man until the right time, but meanwhile the mystery of lawlessness is working.

3.1.          Verse 6 states the restraining work. The word translated restrainer is the articular present active participle, neuter singular accusative of the Greek work katecho which means to hold, to hold back, to withhold, to possess, to prevent, to restrain. What is the restrainer? Suggestions are law and order, government, military, the church, or world events. The restraint must be something or someone with God’s power and knowledge. The Holy Spirit indwelling the church is the only thing that meets all the requirements. When God removes the church at the rapture, the great universal indwelling in the church goes also. The Holy Spirit is omnipresent; He remains, but does not indwell that large body of people, since they are gone. The restraint of the man of sin has been removed.

3.2.          Verse 7. The mystery of lawlessness is Satan’s program to bring in and promote the man who will be against Christ. Right now the restrainer is preventing the full tak3eover. This mystery of lawlessness is something that people do not understand. It is seen today in the trends against God, against biblical truth, and against biblical morality. The trends toward globalism or internationalism in religion, economy, communications, education, law enforcement, and the control of individual lives and freedom are part of this mystery. People without biblical understanding of the world do not related these trends to evil. They related them to progress. When God calls the church to heaven all of mystery will become very public.

4.     Verses 8-12. After the restrainer is removed the lawless one-man of sin, ruled by Satan, enters the public stage. He will be revealed (apokalupto, future passive indicative). Satan brings him forward. He will work satanic wickedness on those who did not believe the truth. Satan will work so that people will think this man is god. The Lord Jesus Christ, at his second coming to earth, will slay him by a command.

4.1.          Verse 8. Jesus Christ will end his rule and destroy him at his second coming to earth. The breath of his mouth refers to Jesus’ command. “Slay” is anairo, to take up, destroy, annul, bring down. “Bring to an end” is katarageo, to nullify, make powerless, set aside, wipe out. Jesus, at his return to earth will completely end this dictator’s rule.

4.2.          Verse 9. Satan orchestrated the man of sin’s activities. Satan controls this dictator. Satan works through him with power (dunamis, might, power), and signs (semeion, a supernatural mark, omen, signal), and false wonders (teras, a marvel, a false miracle).

4.3.          Verse 10. The man of sin successful deceives those who “did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.”

4.3.1.   Faith reception of God’s word and a love of the truth will protect people from the deluding influence of the man of sin. This will be specific during the tribulation. We can learn a principle of Bible doctrine. Positive volition or faith reception and love of God’s word can protect us from the Satanic worldview that has greatly increased worldwide. Salvation comes from faith response to God’s word. Deliverance from the propaganda of the world system comes from listening and understanding and applying God’s word right now.

4.4.          Verse 11. God will send a deluding influence (working of error) and so they will believe the lie of the man of sin and his propaganda ministers. Romans 1:24-30 is a commentary on this. First Kings 22 is an historical parallel. God sends a deceiving spirit to test them as to whether they will accept God’s warning or reject that warning and pursue evil. The Satanic power, signs, and wonders will deceive them. The people will take pleasure in unrighteousness. This deluding influence will be a spiritual influence—probably propaganda from Satan and furthered by his demon forces.

4.5.          Verse 12. The purpose of the evil propaganda will be to demonstrate the willingness of those unbelievers to reject God and choose the Satan inspired man of sin. The judgment that comes will be deserved.

5.     Verse 13. Verses13-17. God chose believers for salvation through sanctification by the Holy Spirit and faith in the truth, so stand firm in the faith and doctrine.

5.1.          Verse 13. Note how Paul again expresses his thanksgiving that God worked in these believers so that they might be saved. God chose the Thessalonian as firstfruits of the gospel message—among the first ones to hear and respond and demonstrate his gracious message. This choosing was through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit ministered to them and they understand the message. They responded by faith.

5.1.1.   God chose as firstfruits. The text is strongly divided. I prefer aparchen (firstfruits) simply from Pauline usage. He does not use ap arches in any other place. Chosen as fruitfruit does make sense here. Choosing refers to choosing for salvation. He chose based upon his foreknowledge of faith in the gospel. The Scripture references include  Romans 8:28-30, 1 Peter 1:1-2, and Ephesians 1:3-6.

5.1.1.1.  For salvation (eis soterion)

5.1.1.2.  Through sanctification by the Holy Spirit (en hagiasmoi pneumatos).

5.1.1.3.  By faith in the truth (pistei aletheias).

5.2.          Verse 14. God called them to this through the gospel (dia tou euaggelious). Calling means to send out a message and expects an answer or response. Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ. God called us to share or experience Christ’s glory.

5.2.1.   Gain the glory is eis peripoiesin doxes… Probably to share his glory by relationship with him. Peripoiesis means preserving, saving, gaining, possession.

5.3.          Verse 15. Therefore. Ara oun. Consequence. Stand firm and hold to. Both pres act imperatives=general commands. Traditions taught are the biblical doctrine that Paul taught them. This is where they are to stand and the doctrines are those which they are to hold. Notice Paul’s emphasis: God choosing by the Holy Spirit sanctifying or setting apart for the message, faith in the truth, the gospel is required, believers get to share Christ’s glory, stand firm and hold the doctrine. We have developed these biblical principles under the doctrine of stand, walk, run, and the doctrine of stand firm.

5.4.          Verse 16.Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father are called upon to do something for believers. Note first what is said about the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father. They loved us (agapao). They gave us (didomi). Both are aorist active participles. These actions occurred before he comfort and strengthens us (16). They gave eternal comfort—encouragement and comfort that lasts. It is always there for us. They also gave us good hope. Hope is the confident expectation based upon God’s character and revealed in God’s word. The crowning thought is that God did all this for us by grace (en charity), God’s favor on us who can never deserve or earn it.

5.5.          Verse 17.  The request is that the Father and Son will comfort (parakaleo) and strengthen (sterizo) the believers’ hearts in whatever ministry—whether of action or speaking. Comfort and strengthen hearts. This, of course, is very practical for the Thessalonians because they are criticized and attached.

Some observations from chapter 2

1.     Paul addresses brethren—believers, 1.

2.     When Lord comes he will gather believers to together to himself, 1.

3.     Do not be troubled by anything saying that the day of the Lord has already come, 2.

4.     Let no one deceive you, 3.

5.     The falling away must come first—before the day of the Lord, 3.

6.     The man of sin/lawlessness must be revealed, 3.

7.     The man of sin/lawlessness is the son of perdition, 3.

8.     The man of sin/lawlessness opposes God and exalts himself above all called god and worshipped, 4.

9.     The man of sin/lawlessness sits as God in the temple, 4.

10. The man of sin/lawlessness shows himself as God, 4.

11. Previously, Paul was with the Thessalonians, 5.

12. When Paul was there he taught them about the day of the Lord, 5.

13. The man of sin/lawlessness is now restrained until he is revealed, 6.

14. There is a mystery of lawlessness, 7.

15. This mystery of lawlessness is at work now, 7.

16. The restrainer of the mystery of lawlessness will restrain until he is removed, 7.

17. When the restrainer is removed the lawless one will be revealed, 8.

18. The Lord will slay the lawless one, 8.

19. The Lord will slay him with his breath—command, 8.

20. The Lord’s coming will end the lawless one’s rule, 8.

21. The lawless one will come according to Satan’s plan and action, 9.

22. The lawless one will show power, sings, and false wonders, 9.

23. The lawless one will also wickedly deceive those who perish, 10.

24. Those who perish did not receive the love of the truth, 10.

25. They then rejected salvation, 10.

26. Because they did not receive the truth God will send a deluding influence on them, 11.

27. The result is that they will believe the lie, 11.

28. The purpose of the deluding influence is so they may be judged, 12.

29. They who did not believe the truth, 12.

30. They took pleasure in wickedness, 12.

31. Paul, Silas, and Timothy ought to give thanks for the Thessalonians, 13.

32. The Thessalonians are brethren and beloved by the Lord.

33. Give thanks because or that God has chosen them from the beginning, 13.

34. Chosen for salvation or deliverance, 13.

35. Chosen by sanctification by the Spirit, 13.

36. Chosen by faith in the truth, 13.

37. God called the Thessalonians for salvation, 14.

38. God called the Thessalonians through Paul, Silas, and Timothy’s gospel, 14.

39. God called the Thessalonians so they may gain or possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, 14.

40. It is the Lord’s glory, 14.

41. Paul addresses brethren, 15.

42. Therefore, a conclusion, 15.

43. Stand firm, 15.

44. Hold to the traditions you were taught, 15.

45. The Thessalonians had been taught biblical doctrine, 15.

46. Taught by Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, 15.

47. Taught by word or letter, 15.

48. Paul gives a benediction in the form of a plea to the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father, 16.

49. It is our LJC and God our Father, 16.

50. God has loved us and given eternal comfort and good hope, 16.

51. God has given these by grace, 16.

52. The plea is that God will comfort and strengthen the Thessalonians’ hearts, 17.

53. Where comfort and strengthen? In every good work and word, 17.