Category: 2 Thessalonians

As Paul brings the second letter to the Thessalonians to an end, he includes a request, a reminder, and a closing. He asks that the church pray for his protection and for the Gospel’s reach to grow. He closes with his own prayer that the church would have peace and grace. And he issues a reminder that we need, as well: we are created for work.

Work was at the center of the city of Thessalonica. It was a major industrial and cultural hub connecting Europe and Asia. The bustling city boasted a large harbor to accommodate the trade ships and an acropolis to protect it from attacks. Prominence in trade and strategic military position led to it becoming the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. So work, whether it be trade, military, or politics, was a major element of every Thessalonian’s life. 

So it makes sense that Paul and his team made work a component of their ministry in this city. During their three-week stay in Thessalonica, the team worked (most likely as tentmakers) to fund their own needs. Paul reminds the church of this work in his first letter, as well. First Thessalonians 2:9 says, “Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.” He further explains in 2 Thessalonians 3:9 that they took this approach “in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.” 

Paul reminded his readers that we were created for work, and the city of Thessonilica was the perfect place to demonstrate this principle taught in the scriptures.

• Genesis 2:15: The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 
• Proverbs 12:11: Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

The world has perverted work to be a goal idolized itself or a burden to escape, but God created work to be one of the ways we glorify His creation and we worship Him. It is His plan for us to use the knowledge, skills, and abilities that He gave us. 

In Thessalonica, those who didn’t work were “idle and disruptive. . .  they are busybodies.” These terms describe a lack of purpose, causing trouble, and wasting time fixating on what others are doing, instead of doing what the person himself is supposed to do. When we don’t work for our good and His glory, we miss out on His design for us and open ourselves to the enemy’s attack. Paul reminds the Thessalonians, and us, that we are created for work and to “never tire of doing what is good,” because it is our way to glorify God and to worship Him.

In the second chapter of this letter, we get to read about how Paul addresses the people of Thessalonica believing the misinformation being spread about Jesus’ second coming. It seems like he had to do this because people were teaching them that Paul said Christ had already come. Second Thessalonians 2:2 says“…by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come.” 

This is a big deal because if Jesus came back and the Thessalonians weren’t justified, then their faith wasn’t what they thought it was. They were facing persecution each and every day for what they believed and were counting on Jesus to come back and save them. Paul gently reassures them that they will know when Jesus comes and reminds them of two things that will have to happen before he does: the rebellion will occur and the man of lawlessness will be revealed.  

But isn’t it interesting that they so easily forgot what Paul had already said in his first letter about the second coming? Let examine Paul and the Thessalonians and see what we can learn from them. First, Paul has to be so patient with the people he is discipling from afar. He already told them in his first letter (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11) about what it will be like when Jesus comes back. What a good reminder as we disciple younger Christians (or our own children) that things we say (or what the Bible says) can be so easily forgotten or watered down as time goes on. Always be ready to gently and confidently correct a misunderstanding.  

Second, the Thessalonians were quick to forget what Paul said and believe false teaching. This could be because as they heard the false teaching, they didn’t go back to his letter to check what was said. We would never be that silly…right? Wrong. How easily do we give into anxious thoughts about what will happen in the future and if we’ll be alright and look at God’s word to remind ourselves what He says about the future (Matthew 6:34, James 4:13-15, Proverbs 16: 9, etc).  

Whatever we struggle with or whatever lie we are believing, we can be reassured by God’s Word. There is truth to combat every lie from the enemy that can so easily trap us. If you are drowning in the enemy’s lies and don’t know what is true about you or the Lord’s character, call a trusted Christian friend and ask them to remind you!

In reading this chapter, we notice Paul’s thankfulness that this church is remaining faithful to the Gospel message and is growing in their faith both (personally and corporately). However, similar to our world today, the culture of Thessalonica and other teachings led to a misunderstanding of Paul’s words over the end times and Christ’s prophesied return. Paul writes again to correct these in this letter.

Paul compliments this church by saying, “We ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in midst of persecutions and afflictions you endure” (v. 4). He continues on in his encouragement to them that Christ, in His glorious return, will deal with the wicked, the oppressors, and all who willfully reject the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

There are two messages for us in this short chapter. First, verse nine sums up the result of unbelief, both then and today. The Message translation of scripture says, “Those who refuse to obey the message will pay for what they have done. Eternal exile from the presence of the Master and His splendid power is their sentence.” The thought of eternal separation from Christ and heaven is sobering and must motivate our hearts to share the gospel willingly and often with others. John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” These words of Jesus give never ending purpose and fullness of life now to all who accept Him along with the promise of eternity in heaven. What good news to be shared with our world!

The second message comes in verse 10 and reminds us of our hope as believers: “When He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day and to be marveled at among all who believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.” Paul emphasizes here that all who believe can live expectantly in the truth and promise of Christ’s return. To live expectantly means to live with excitement that something good is about to happen. Scripture reminds us here that it will be a glorious day filled with awe and joy watching Jesus establish His kingdom of righteousness over earth and heaven. Let us all allow His love, goodness, and power to move purposefully within every aspect of our lives in readiness to rejoice with Him face to face in His victory for all of creation, and may we invite as many people as possible to join us.