Free Bible Commentary
“Introduction to 2 Thessalonians”
Categories: 2 ThessaloniansThe Apostle Paul wrote this second letter to the church in Thessalonica very shortly after the first letter had been delivered. Most scholars say that no more than two months had passed before Paul felt the urgency to write the brethren a second time. As mentioned in the introduction to the first epistle, Paul stressed the certainty of the Lord’s Second Coming by declaring it on five separate occasions. Even though chapters and verses were not a part of the original article, each chapter’s end gives reference to that great final day.
Evidently some of the Thessalonians had become so convinced that the Lord would return immediately, they quit working to support themselves and their families, and literally decided to “wait” for the Lord to come back from heaven (1 Thessalonians 1:10). I will give them credit for their eager expectation of the Lord’s return. Being nearly 2,000 years removed from Christ’s ascension, we have the tendency to be numbed to the nearness and the certainty of His spectacular return. It could be another 2,000 years before Jesus comes back, but it could also be in next two seconds!
We all need to be living our lives as if Jesus could come back today! But, unlike the Thessalonians, that anticipation should prompt us to be ever more eager and active in our faith, and not slothful and meddlesome as some of these brethren had become (3:10-12). Paul’s exhortation to them is just as important and applicable to us today: “But as for you brethren, do not grow weary of doing good” (3:13)! The Lord is coming at a time that we do not know (Mark 13:33). When He returns it will be to deal “out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus,” and to “be glorified in His saints on that day” (1:8-10). The key is to be ready so that you are in the second category and not the first!
Praise be to God, it was not all gloom and doom for the Thessalonians. Paul was encouraged by their faithfulness, and had some good words of encouragement for them because of their steadfastness. “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.” (1:3-4)
We will look at these verses more closely tomorrow, Lord willing.
Please read 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5 for tomorrow.
- Louie Taylor
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