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2 Thessalonians Chapter Two                            

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

Teachings in the Truth

A.  Know the Day of the Lord ---- so as not to be shaken by vain words (v.1-12);

1. Two great things of the Day of the Lord ---- the coming of Christ and the rapture of believers (v.1);

2. Believers should not be shaken by any teaching concerning the Day of the Lord (v.2);

3. The Day shall not come unless the apostasy have first come and the man of sin have been revealed (v.3);

4. The manifestation of the man of sin (v.4-5; 9-10a);

5. What restrains of the revelation of the man of sin (v.6-8a);

6. The man of sin shall be annulled by the appearing of Christ’s coming (v.8b);

7. The follower of the man of sin ---- the reason why they follow and their end (v.10b-12);

B.  Know one’s identity ---- so as to stand fast in truth (v.13-15);

1. The origin of believers’ being saved ---- love selection and calling (v.13-15);

2. The condition of believers’ being saved ---- the faith of the truth of the gospel (v.13b 14a);

3. The goal of believers’ being saved ---- obtain of the glory of Christ (v.14b);

4. The responsibility after believers have been saved ---- stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught (v.15);

C.  Know one’s strength ---- so as to be established in word and work (v.16-17);

1. The origin of believers’ strength ---- the Lord Jesus Christ and God and Father (v.16);

2. The form of believers’ strength ---- give…by grace (v.16);

3. The content of believers’ strength ---- everlasting consolation and good hope (v.16b-17a);

4. The result of believers’ strength ---- establish you in every good word and work (v.17b);

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

2Thess. 2:1 “Now brethren concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him we ask you

   YLT: “And we ask you brethren in regard to the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and of our gathering together unto him ”

Meaning of Words: concerning”: for about; “coming”: presence a being near; “gathering”: assembling together a complete collection;

Literal Meaning: “brethren concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ” “concerning” in the original it meaning “for the truth that is mentioned”.

“The coming of Christ and our gathering to Him” according to the original “coming” and “gathering” are under the same article which shows that both of them are relative to each other and are the chief great events when the Lord comes ---- “the coming of the Lord (parousia)” and “the rapture of believers” unto Him. According to the scriptures in other places both of them do not happen “once” but occur step by step.

“Ask” it in the original means beseeching and entreating.

1)    The coming of the Lord: it starts from the hidden presence of Christ from the throne of God in the clouds in the air starting (1Thess. 4:16-17) and ends with the public presence of Christ coming to the earth from the air (1Thess. 1:7-10). Both of them shall keep a period of time.

2)    The rapture of believers: Pre-tribulation Rapture (Rev. 12:5) Mid-tribulation Rapture (Rev. 15:2-4; 7:13-14) and Post-tribulation Rapture (Rev. 14:14-16);

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The Lord Jesus Christ shall come again which shows that He has risen and He is living and true (1Thess. 1:9-10).

2)    The first coming of the Lord Jesus makes us gathered in His name and enjoy His invisible presence (Matt. 18:20). The second coming of the Lord makes us gathered to Him and enjoy His tangible presence (see 1Thess. 4:17).

 

2Thess. 2:2 “not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled either by spirit or by word or by letter as if from us as though the day of Christ had come.

   YLT: “that ye be not quickly shaken in mind nor be troubled neither through spirit neither through word neither through letters as through us as that the day of Christ hath arrived;”

   Literal Meaning: either by spirit or by word or by letter as if from us” “spirit” it means prophesying under the power of the Holy Spirit ---- it is a kind of supernatural revelation; “word”: oral teachings and exhortations; “epistle”: teachings and exhortations in written form; Paul here asks believers to watch for falsehood. Therefore “spirit” may refer to the evil spirit that pretends to be the Spirit and “word” relates to the teaching of false prophets and “epistle” is that which is written by men who as through Paul and his fellow-workers.

“As though the day of the Lord had come” “the day of the Lord” does not refer to a single day but the period from the Lord’s hidden coming in the air to His open judgment until the eternal world during which a series of great events shall happen (see “Controversial Clarification” in verse three).

Not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled “shaken” in the original is used to describe the boat that is waved by the stormy waves and blown away; “shaken in mind” it indicates that the mind and emotion of a man are stirred up and thus lose balance and repose with great wonder and astonishment; “troubled”: a kind of continual anxiety and disturbance.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    There is the spirit of God or not of God e.g. the Spirit of the truth the spirit of error. Therefore we shall not believe every spirit but prove them (1John 4:1-6).

2)    There are many sayings and interpretations concerning the coming of Christ in Christianity. We shall not believe immediately but shall prove and consider whether it is of the truth (see 1Thess. 5:20-21).

3)    We shall not be shaken in mind by any sound word but come back to the light of the Scriptures and search them if these words are so (see Acts 17:11).

4)    Believers shall watch for any teaching outside of the Scriptures so as not to be shaken in mind or troubled.

5)    The Scriptures only give the description of the sign of Christ’s coming again but never predict the certain day of the Lord’s coming. Therefore any day that is predicted to be the Lord’s coming must be of “men” not the revelation of God.

6)    God gives men “mind” to think clearly and soberly so as to judge the verity of everything. If believers are unable to use mind well but shaken by various teachings and sayings it is obviously not the normal condition of Christians (see Eph. 4:14).

 

2Thess. 2:3 “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first and the man of sin is revealed the son of perdition

   YLT: “let not any one deceive you in any manner because -- if the falling away may not come first and the man of sin be revealed -- the son of the destruction ”

Meaning of Words: falling away”: apostasy defection from truth forsake; “the man of sin”: the lawless one; “perdition”: ruin loss destruction;

Literal Meaning: “by any means” “any means” include spirit word and letter (see v.2) and any other means.

“Let no one deceive you” “deceive”: be seduced and misled into wrong recognition and go astray;

“For that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first “that Day” refers to the day of the Lord (see v.2). According to the following context and the prophesies in the Book of Revelation it may refer to the later period of the Tribulation of three years and a half the period before the public revelation of the Lord (see Rev. chap. 13). “The falling away” the word is originally used to describe the political and military defection or revolt. Here it means rebelling against God (see Jos. 22:22) and defect from the truth. Here it unveils that men in the world under the control of Satan will increasingly defect from and rebel against God before the Lord’s coming.

“And the man of sin is revealed the son of perdition” “the man of sin” it is “lawless man” in the original for sin is the transgression of the law (1John 3:4). “The son of perdition” the one who is willing to be indulged in depravity and cut his own throat; it is used to call Judas in the Scriptures (John 17:12). “Is revealed” it suggests that he exists before publicly revelation and before the set time he has not been recognized as that man of sin.

Note that “the man of sin” is not Satan (see v.9) but a man who is used by Satan to resist God. The Bible scholars often call him “antichrist”. However here the antichrist is different from those who resist God and are against Christ in each generation (see 1John 2:18). “The man of sin” is the one who resists God most seriously before the public presence of the Lord in the last days.

There were many Christians who were interested in the man of sin and inferred that some certain famous political or religious character would be the man of sin that Scriptures prophesied according to the number of “six hundred and sixty and six” (see Rev. 13:18). This is really groundless assumption for it only satisfies men’s curiosity and avails common believers nothing.

  Controversial Clarification: concerning the period of the day of the Lord Bible exegetes present various interpretations of the series of events. And traditionally it is believed that the church will be caught before the Tribulation. Therefore Christians in the last days shall not witness “the revelation of the man of sin” but it runs counter to Paul’s purpose of mentioning it here. Therefore as far as the order is concerned the great events that shall happen in “the day of the Lord” are listed as below:

1)    The gospel shall be preached in the whole habitable earth and then the end shall come (Matt.24:14);

2)    “The covenant” is confirmed (Dan. 9:27a); peaceful co-existence in “the first three and a half years” (the rebuilding of the holy temple of the Jews may be allowed in Jerusalem); the hidden coming of the Lord; the rapture of “those that overcome” before the Tribulation (Matt.24:39-41; Rev. 3:10; 12:5; 14:1-5);

3)    The covenant is destroyed (Dan. 9:29b); the Tribulation of the last three and a half years comes (Rev. 11:2; 13:5). The revelation of the man of sin (2Thess. 2:3-4; Rev. 13:11-18); “those who are clothed with white robes” are caught in the Tribulation (Rev. 7:13-14; 15:2-4);

4)    The public presence of the Lord; the majority of believers ---- “the ripe harvest” ---- are caught after the Tribulation (Rev. 14:14-16); the judgment before the seat of Christ (2Cor. 5:10; 1Cor. 3:13-15); “the war of Armagedon” (Rev. 14:19-20; 16:12-16; 19:17-21) and the man of sin is annulled (2Thess. 2:8); the judgment before the glorious throne of Christ (Matt.25:31-46);

5)    The kingdom of one thousand years (Rev. 20:4-6);

6)    The war after the kingdom of one thousand years (Rev. 20:7-10);

7)    The judgment before the white throne in the last day (Rev. 20:11-15);

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The Lord Jesus tells the disciples that many false Christs and false prophets shall arise and shall deceive many (Matt.24:11 24) at the end of the world. Therefore we believer should watch lest we should be deceived in the last time (Matt.24:4);

2)    The greatest sign is that many false Christs and false prophets arise and say that Christ is here and Christ is there before the Lord’s coming (Matt.24:11 23-26).

3)    Believers may be deceived to believe the day of the Lord will come soon so as to regard false Christ as Christ. Today such heretical teachings have prevailed all over the world (e.g. the “Eastern Lightning” in China and the “Unification Church” in Korea).

 

2Thess. 2:4 “who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped so that he sits as God in the temple of God showing himself that he is God.

   YLT: “who is opposing and is raising himself up above all called God or worshipped so that he in the sanctuary of God as God hath sat down shewing himself off that he is God -- .”

   Literal Meaning: who opposes” according to the original “oppose” is synonymous with “devil”. It means that the man of sin is exactly the same with the devil and likes to resist the Lord.

“And exalts himself” puff oneself up or overrate oneself;

“Above all that is called God” here it indicates that all those who call themselves or who are called God including true God and false gods. The man of sin considers him greater than God.

“Or that is worshiped here it indicates that all things that are worshipped e.g. images idols shrines etc.

“So that he sits as God in the temple of God showing himself that he is God” there are two kinds of interpretations:

1)    Symbolic interpretation: “the temple of God” symbolizes the church of God so it suggests that someone in the church exalts himself and calls himself God. Throughout the past generations many so-called heretical sects especially the hierarchs like to call them God or Christ. However they are not “the man of sin” here. 

2)    “The temple of God” it refers to the holy temple in Jerusalem but this temple was early destroyed. Therefore someone thinks the rebuilding of the holy temple in Jerusalem will be allowed when the “covenant” is signed in the last days. After three and a half years the “covenant” is destroyed. The man of sin shall appear in the holy temple and call himself God (see Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:15).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The trail of the falling of Satan is “exalting himself” even above all that is called God (see Is. 14:13-14; Ezek. 28:2 16-17). All those exalt themselves and like to be adorned by believers are unconsciously used by the devil and are usurping the position of God in men’s heart.

2)    The man of sin likes to “call himself God”. Therefore we can recognize that all those who to call themselves “God” or “Christ” must be the heretics of the devil. We shall not be deceived by them.

3)    A normal Christian often emphasizes that he is a “man” (see Acts 10:25-26; 14:13-15) and never dares to compare him with “God”. Therefore anyone or any sect that preaches “man becomes God” has gone to extremes and is unbelievable.

4)    Christians are the sons of God (Gal. 3:26). The divine life and nature of God (2Pet. 1:3-4) will sufficiently enable us to be sanctified (1John 5:18). There is no need of the high-sounding concept that “man becomes God”.

 

2Thess. 2:5 “Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things

   YLT: “Do ye not remember that being yet with you these things I said to you?”

   Literal Meaning: it indicates that Paul had ever taught believers in the church in Thessalonica things of the Lord’s coming again before he was forced to leave Thessalonica. Now he merely mentions it again and helps them to have knowledge about it.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The apostle Paul taught believers in Thessalonica things about the Lord’s second coming though they had believed the Lord less than one year and were still young in spirit. Therefore the Lord’s second coming is greatly connected with the conversation of believers on the earth.

2)    Today some of the Christians who have believed the Lord for many years have never heard the teaching of the Lord’s coming again. Though some have heard the truth they are indifferent to the Lord’s coming. No wonder that they have neither testimony in life nor growth in spirit.

 

2Thess. 2:6 “And now you know what is restraining that he may be revealed in his own time.

   YLT: “and now what is keeping down ye have known for his being revealed in his own time ”

Meaning of Words: restrain”: hold down keep (in memory) seize on withhold;

Literal Meaning: “and now you know” “know” they know … because of Paul’s teaching (see v.5).

  “What is restraining” it is restraining him from working his power according to his own will. Here it suggests that he has early begun to stir and yet has been restrained so he will be poised for its revelation.

  “That he may be revealed in his own time” here it indicates that the purpose of “restraining” is not making him unable to reveal but that he is unable to reveal until the set time; “time”: the time ordained by God to let him reveal;

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    To everything and everyone in the world and even everything that everyone shall meet in his life there is a season (Eccl. 3:1; 8:6). And they are of the will of God and are connected with God’s appointment.

2)    What is most important for Christians is to know the will of God and know how to work according to the time of God (John 7:6) and know that everything coming upon us is of the good will of God the Father (see Matt. 11:25-26; Rom. 8:28).

 

2Thess. 2:7 “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

   YLT: “for the secret of the lawlessness doth already work only he who is keeping down now -- till he may be out of the way ”

   Literal Meaning: “for the mystery of lawlessness is already at work” “lawlessness”: be not controlled or restrained by the law and ignore the law; “mystery”: it indicates that a kind of existing thing or truth is a mystery before it is revealed. Once it is exposed it will be no longer a mystery. “At work”: work in secret; 

    The whole world lies in the wicked (1John 5:19). Everyone has lawless thought in his flesh. Most of the people are restrained by the external law and internal conscience (believers are more restrained by the indwelling Christ or the law of Christ) so as not to act presumptuously. However the lawless mind is at work.

He who now restrains” what the difference between “what is restraining” and “he who restrains” is. Why does the apostle Paul use such vague expression? Or does he have scruples about it? The Bible expositors throughout the past generations have different views upon it but satisfactory interpretations have still not been presented. Now the present interpretations can be classified into the following points:

1)    Which refer to the Roman Empire and the Roman emperor; it seemed to be reasonable in the first century. However there is no longer Roman emperor now.

2)    Which refer to the allegoric (Rev. 17:16-17) Roman Empire and the Roman emperors namely political and religious Babylon the great; “be taken out of the way” it means that the great harlot is overturned by the beast (Rev. 17:16-17).

3)    Which refer to the regime of law and the law-executors; it means that the man of sin is restrained by the national politics and law and is unable to act presumptuously until he takes the power. However the law-executor shall be in the plural and yet here “he now who restrains” is in the singular.

4)    Which refer to the evil power and Satan; “be taken out of the way” it indicates the devil is cast out into the earth from the heaven (Rev. 12:7-12). And then the man of sin appears (Rev. 13:11-18).

5)    Which refer to the ministry of the gospel and the church; the gospel shall be preached in the whole world and then shall come the end. “Be taken out of the way” it indicates that the church is caught before the Tribulation and then the man of sin appears. However in fact there are still believers (namely the church) who are on the earth during the Tribulation (Rev. 14:12-16).

6)    Which refer to the appointment in the council of God and the government of the Spirit over the world; “be taken out of the way” it indicates that the Spirit does not keep it any more.

7)    Which refer to the supernatural power given by God to control it and the designated angel who has received the power; “be taken out of the way” it means cancelling the task of the angel;

The complier thinks that it is better to regard “he who restrains” as the “element” of restraint set by God than to “personalize” him e.g. God had commanded Satan not to hurt Job (see Job. 1:12; 2:6) so this commandment had restrained Satan from doing whatever it wants.

“Until He is taken out of the way” in order to fulfill this prophecy God will remove the restraining elements until His set time.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    In the past generations the works of resisting God were always going on and became increasingly fierce and obvious. The lawless thing has eroded every corner of the society and even the church.

2)    Many times “the mystery of lawlessness” is “working” in many people but they hold still because of the restraint of the law and conscience. Sometimes Satan puts the lawless thought into the mind of believers. At this time we shall resist it with firm faith (see 2Cor. 10:4-5; 1Pet.5:8-9).

3)    May the Lord keep back us from presumptuous (Ps. 19:13).

 

2Thess. 2:8 “And then the lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

YLT: “and then shall be revealed the Lawless One whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the manifestation of his presence ”

Meaning of Words: breath”: spirit; “consume”: destroy; “destroy”: bring to nothing abolish become of no effect;

Literal Meaning: and then the lawless one will be revealed the lawless” it refers to the man of sin (see v.3); “be revealed” it does not mean he does not exist previously and appears before the world suddenly but that he exists before his revelation. However men in the world do not know he is that man of sin. Until one day when his true face is revealed all is suddenly enlightened.

“Whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth the breath of His mouth” the spirit or power in his word (see John 6:63; Luke 1:37) namely “the sharp sword out of his mouth” prophesied in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 19:15 21).

“And destroy with the brightness of His coming” “brightness” it is used to describe the revelation of God; when the Lord Jesus first came to the earth he had transiently appeared his brightness on the Mountain (Luke 9:32; 2Pet. 1:16-17). However when he comes to the world again he will manifest His glory (1John 3:2). Such brightness of His coming has surpassing power: 1) which is able to subdue all things to Himself (Phil. 3:21); 2) which is able to transform the body of believers (Phil. 3:21; 1John 3:2); 3) which is able to destroy the wicked one;

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The Lord’s word is greatly operative (Heb. 4:12). As long as there is a word of Him the unclean spirit must be cast out (Matt. 8:16). And as long as there is a word of Him man shall be healed (Matt. 8:8).

2)    The word is the weapon for believers in war (Eph. 6:17). Therefore let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom (Col. 3:16 the original) for a rainy day.

3)    Where there is the presence of the Lord there is the brightness of the Lord (John 12:46). The more we enjoy the presence of the Lord the more will we imbibe and reflect the Lord’s glory (2Cor. 3:18).

4)    Though the power of darkness is rampant it must fail eventually. Just as a Chinese saying goes like this: “From time immemorial evil cannot conquer uprightness”. Christians cannot measure things by sight but by the impending end.

 

2Thess. 2:9 “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan with all power signs and lying wonders

   YLT: “whose presence is according to the working of the Adversary in all power and signs and lying wonders ”

   Literal Meaning: the coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan “working”: according to the original it is works with power; therefore “the working of Satan” it indicates that he acts according to the power given by Satan to him (see Rev. 13:11-15 see 1-5).

“With all power signs and lying wonders” “power” it refers to the special power manifested from his works signs” it indicates that his works reveal uncommon marks wonders” it means that his works are difficult to be understood (John 8:44).

“Lying” according to the original it describes not only wonders but also power and signs. “Lying” it does not mean what he has done is not true and just likes magic but that the origin is not out of the true God but out of vanity ---- Satan (John 8:44). Therefore what he has done cannot bring true and profitable fruits to men.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Some of the power and signs and wonders are of God and some of Satan. The problem is that Satan likes to be transformed into an angel of light (2Cor. 11:14) to deceive men that the power and signs and wonders are of God. Therefore Christians should beware of not being deceived by those supernatural phenomena.

2)    The Charismatic Movement in Christianity draws many people by various power and signs and wonders. Some of them are false but there even also many Christians who turn to follow them. What a worry such condition is. We do not know how many Christians will become apostates when the man of sin is revealed.

3)    The power and signs and wonders in the Scriptures are manifested naturally when they are needed. And it is not appealing men to visit the power and signs and wonders by trumpets or drums in the Scriptures. Therefore if we draw the people by power and signs and wonders no matter whether the purpose is right (e.g. the preachment of the gospel) there are still problems with the verity.

 

2Thess. 2:10 “and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved.

   YLT: “and in all deceitfulness of the unrighteousness in those perishing because the love of the truth they did not receive for their being saved ”

   Literal Meaning: “among those who perish those who perish”: those who are not saved (see 1Cor. 1:18); the previous verse relates to what the man of sin has done and this verse mentions what he has done through all those who do not believe; 

    “With all unrighteous deception” “unrighteous” it refers to all forms of sins ---- here it describes the nature and characteristics of all things they have done; “deception” it describes the motivation and means of things they have done.

“Because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved” “they”: those who do not believe; this verse points out the reason why they are deceived by the man of sin and are not saved ---- they “refuse the love of truth”.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    It is the only way for men to be saved of accepting the truth and receiving the truth of the gospel. God has already put the truth of salvation before men so those who perish have only themselves to blame.

2)    If man does not love “reality” he will seek “vanity” (see v.9) and be cheated by the power and signs and wonders worked by those who are lawless.

3)    The Lord Himself is the truth (John 14:6). If man receives truth and loves truth he has just received Him and loved Him and will thus have truthful righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:21 24). This is salvation.

4)    We believers are those who love the truth so we shall detest the vain power signs and wonders. If we still seek vanity with curiosity it points that our love of the truth goes wrong.

 

2Thess. 2:11 “And for this reason God will send them strong delusion that they should believe the lie

   YLT: “and because of this shall God send to them a working of delusion for their believing the lie ”

   Literal Meaning: and for this reason God will send them strong delusion “therefore” it is because that they refuse the truth (see v.10); “send them strong delusion” it is the power that works in men to give them up to error (Judas v.11). This is not God’s active giving but passive reaction. When men purposefully refuse the truth of God God will give them up to the pursuit of vanity (see Rom. 1:24-28).

“That they should believe the lie” “lie” it is not only all the lies but especially that lie of the man of sin who calls him God (see v.4) and all lying works (see v.9). If men do not believe the truth they will turn to the lie.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    All those who purposefully shut up the door of heart and refuse to receive the light of the truth (see v.10) will inevitably fall into error and sank more deeply into it.

2)    Once man’s heart is wrong everything goes wrong. If one believes a wrong object what he does not believe will also be wrong ---- for he believes the lie and does not believe the truth (v.12). And if one loves a wrong object what he does not love will also be wrong ---- for he loves unrighteousness (v.12) and does not love the truth (v.10).

3)    God reigns in the universe. When men are hardened to refuse the grace of God they will inevitably be rewarded by the righteousness of God (see Rom. 2:4-5).

4)    Generally we hear men say: “I believe nothing”. Actually it is not that he does not believe anything but he does not believe the truth (see v.12) but the lie.

 

2Thess. 2:12 “that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

   YLT: “that they may be judged -- all who did not believe the truth but were well pleased in the unrighteousness.”

   Literal Meaning: did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” “did not believe the truth” and “believe the lie” are opposite (see v.11). The belief of the lie is the unbelief in the truth. “Had pleasure in unrighteousness” it is the result of the unbelief in the truth. If men regard lie as truth they will naturally love unrighteousness.

    “Be condemned” “condemned” it is “judgment” according to the original. Man’s wrong “judgment” upon things will be under God’s “judgment”.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Believers love kindness (1:11). He who does not love the truth loves righteousness.

2)    Man’s attitude towards the truth will decide what he shall reap ---- to those who receive the truth the coming of Christ is the ultimate deliverance from sins (see v.13). Therefore this is the experience of victory. However to those who refuse the truth the coming of Christ is judgment and condemnation and final perdition.

 

2Thess. 2:13 “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you brethren beloved by the Lord because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth

   YLT: “And we -- we ought to give thanks to God always for you brethren beloved by the Lord that God did choose you from the beginning to salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth ”

   Literal Meaning: brethren beloved by the Lord” “the Lord” here refers to the Lord Jesus. Once we believers have received Him we have received His love.

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you” “give thanks to God” for He is the origin of salvation. It is God that created the redemption and chose men and then sent the Lord Jesus to fulfill the redemption. 

“Because God from the beginning chose you” it indicates that God has chosen us before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4).

“Belief in the truth” “belief” it the condition of man’s receiving the salvation of God; God reveals the way of salvation to men through the truth of the gospel. Men can only be saved by the belief of the truth of the gospel (Eph. 1:3).

“By the Spirit” the inspiration of the Spirit makes us open our heart to receive the Savior and the accomplished salvation by Him.

This verse mentions God the Lord and the Spirit ---- the works of the holy Trinity ---- God is the origin of the salvation and the Lord comes to accomplish the salvation and the Spirit accomplishes the salvation in us.

“Through sanctification” “sanctification” it is through the working of the Spirit which can be divided into three different phases and steps: 1) the Spirit works in man and brings demonstration of sin in man (John 16:8). This is the sanctification of man’s mind that he is willing to receive the Lord Jesus (1Pet. 1:2); 2) when the Spirit regenerates man man is washed and sanctified and justified ---- this is the positional sanctification (1Cor. 6:11); 3) after the Spirit has reborn man He will renew us continually (Titus 3:5) to sanctify us in conversation (see 1Thess. 4:7-8) ---- this is the sanctification in essence (or experience).

“For salvation it does not say one can be saved only after he has been sanctified but that salvation is the combination of the provision of the holy Trinity and man’s believing. Neither God’s provision without man’s believing nor man’s believing without God’s provision can make man saved.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The salvation of believers does not start in time but from eternity for God had chosen us in the beginning.

2)    The election of God shows His love to us. “From the beginning” it also indicates that the love of God to us has never changed from the beginning.

3)    In order to save us the working of the holy Trinity accomplishes the salvation in us. God cares about us so much and His will is utterly manifested here.

4)    If there is only the will and works of God without man’s faith it still avails nothing. Therefore what is most important is to open one’s heart and receive all that God has done for us. This is the way of enjoying the blessing of God.

5)    The Spirit dwells and works always in believers in order to renew and transform us thus sanctifying us. This work of sanctification needs our cooperation with and obedience to the Spirit so that we shall bear the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16 22-25).

6)    We shall not be satisfied with “the salvation of the Spirit” and the deliverance from the hell only but shall continue to seek “the salvation of soul” (1Pet. 1:9 the original) and “the salvation of body” (Rom. 8:23) until when our spirit and soul and body are preserved blameless (1Thess. 5:23).

 

2Thess. 2:14 “to which He called you by our gospel for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

   YLT: “to which He did call you through our good news to the acquiring of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

   Literal Meaning: “to which He called you by our gospel” “called” it was the calling of believers obtained from God when they were saved; “to which”: to the degree that believers are sanctified (see v.13) in experience after they are saved.

    “For the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” “glory”: the manifestation of God; “the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” it means that God has fully manifested in the Lord Jesus (1Tim. 3:16). “The obtaining of … the glory of the Lord” it indicates that believers have been sanctified to a degree that they are able to manifest God like the Lord (see 1John 3:3).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    God called us to let us be preserved blamelessly in spirit and soul and body thus fulfilling the full salvation (see v.13) in us. Therefore don’t think we have already obtained or are already perfected but pursue (see Phil. 3:12-15).

2)    If believers desire to obtain the glory of the Lord in His second coming and enjoy the profits of the Lord’s glory we have to turn to the Lord today and look on the glory of the Lord with unveiled face and are transformed according to the same image from glory to glory (2Cor. 3:16-18).

 

2Thess. 2:15 “Therefore brethren stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught whether by word or our epistle.

   YLT: “so then brethren stand ye fast and hold the deliverances that ye were taught whether through word whether through our letter;”

Meaning of Words: traditions”: precept ordinance; 

Literal Meaning: “therefore brethren stand fast” “stand fast” the tense indicates that it is a continual state; though believers in Thessalonica have stood fast in faith (1Thess. 3:8) they shall still keep the state until the Lord comes again.

  “The traditions which you were taught whether by word or our epistle” in the early church time since the New Testament had not been composed the church lived the church life according to the teaching of the apostle (see Acts 2:42). That is to say the church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Eph. 2:20). And the teachings of the apostles were mainly delivered in oral and written form. Therefore the “traditions” were the teachings of the apostles and the prophets. Afterwards the New Testament was mainly composed of the epistles collected from the churches and the gospels written or dictated by the apostles

  “Hold”: seize closely;

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Today the revelation of God has been fully recorded in the Holy Bible. Believers need not to seek any other oral or dictated traditions outside of the Holy Bible (the Apocrypha and the Pseudepigraph).

2)    What is most important is that Christians shall not teach as the doctrines the precepts of men nor make void the commandment of God on account of your traditional teaching (Matt. 15:2-8).

 

2Thess. 2:16 “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and our God and Father who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace

   YLT: “and may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and our God and Father who did love us and did give comfort age-during and good hope in grace ”

   Literal Meaning: now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and our God and Father it indicates that the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father work together on the things of comforting and strengthening believers (see v.17).

“Who has loved us and given us it suggests that all that God has done to believers is out of love and through grace. Love is the origin and grace is the way.

“Everlasting consolation and good hope by grace” “consolation” is the motivating power and “hope” is the drawing power. Both of them provide strength to believers to run the race that lies before us.

“Everlasting consolation” shows that it is not the transient but continual and everlasting power; and good hope” it is not vain illusion but glorious hope that can be seen (see Heb. 11:13) and appreciated and truly seized (see Col. 1:27).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The help that men can afford us is always short and imperfect. Only the Lord and God the Father that love us can provide us unceasing and everlasting and good help.

2)    All the experienced Christians know that only consolation and hope can mostly strengthen us and help us to overcome afflictions in difficult conditions (see 2Cor. 1:3-7; 4:16-18).

 

2Thess. 2:17 “comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

   YLT: “comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.”

   Literal Meaning: “comfort your hearts “comfort”: encourage strengthen; Paul prays for the believers in Thessalonica to be internally strengthened. 

“And establish you in every good word and work” the purpose of Paul’s prayer is that there will be effect in both work and word. Work and word are two important parts of the testimony of Christian’s life (Titus 2:6-8) through which the faith of truth shall be manifested vividly.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    “The good word and work” of Christians may not be praised by men but caused hostile slander of men. Such frustration may easily make believers discouraged. Only the consolation and encouragement will revive us and stand firm unto the end.

2)    Today many Christians emphasize the defense of the truth but ignore the living manifestation of the truth in life. Actually the best way of defending the truth is to put the truth into practice.

3)    Concerning our bearing witness to the truth our “work” should be consonant with our “word”. “Good word” shall be accompanied with “good work” (1John 3:18). And our “good work” shall be supplemented with “good word” so that it is perfect.

4)    The good word and work of Christians should not be sought occasionally but shall be established firmly and done persistently.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

Know that Man of Sin ---- the Lawless One

A.   His nature (v.3-4):

1.    The falling away ---- the apostasy;

2.    The man of sin ---- lawlessness;

3.    Oppose the Lord ---- resist God;

4.    Show himself that he is God ---- exalt himself;

B.   His danger (v.5) ---- since he relates to the church crucially the church should previously teach the things of him;

C.   His revelation (v.3 6-8a):

1.    Be revealed before the Day of the Lord;

2.    He shall be revealed until the fixed time because of the restraint;

3.    Though he is not manifested the mystery of lawlessness is already at work.

4.    He will be revealed until the one who restrains is taken out of the way.

D.   His end ---- perdition (v.3 8b):

1.    Be consumed by the breath of the Lord’s mouth;

2.    Be destroyed by the brightness of the Lord’s coming;

E.   His works(v.9-10):

1.    According to the working of Satan;

2.    With all power signs;

3.    With lying wonders;

4.    With all unrighteous deception;

F.    His followers (v.10-12):

1.    They shall perish;

2.    They not receive the love of the truth;

3.    They believe the lie ---- not believe the truth;

4.    They have pleasure in unrighteousness;

5.    They are condemned;

 

The Comparisons Worthy of Observation

A.  The coming of the Lord Jesus (v.1 8) ---- the revelation of the man of sin (v.3 6 8);

B.  The Day of the Lord (v.2) ---- the time when the man of sin is revealed (v.6-8);

C.  Spirit or word or letter as if from the apostles (v.2) ---- the traditions which the apostles taught whether by word or our epistle (v.15);

D.  Be shaken in mind or troubled (v.2) ---- stand fast hold and establish (v.15 17);

E.  The falling away (v.3) ---- hold the traditions (v.15);

F.   Call himself God (v.4) ---- be consumed by the breath of the Lord’s mouth (v.8);

G.  Be destroyed by the brightness (v.8) ---- the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (v.14);

H.  According to the working of Satan (v.9) ---- by the Spirit (v.13);

I.     With all unrighteous deception (v.10) ---- every good word and work (v.17);

J.   Do not receive the love of the truth not believe the truth (v.10 12) ---- belief in the truth (v.13);

K.  Perish be condemned (v.10 12) ---- salvation the obtaining of the glory (v.13 14);

L.   Believe the lie (v.11) ---- belief in the truth (v.13);

M.  Strong delusion (v.11) ---- by the Spirit (v.13);

N.  Have pleasure in unrighteousness (v.12) ---- sanctification (v.13);

 

Know the Salvation of God

A.   The origin of the salvation ---- the work of the holy Trinity (v.13-14):

1.    The love of the Lord;

2.    The election and calling of God;

3.    The inspiration of the Spirit;

B.   The steps of the salvation:

1.    Through the preachment of the gospel (v.14a);

2.    Through the unbelief in the truth (v.13b)

C.   The fulfillment of the salvation ---- (v.13-14):

1.    Salvation;

2.    Sanctification;

3.    The obtaining of the glory of our Lord

D.   The persistence of the salvation ---- (v.15):

1.    Stand fast;

2.    Hold the traditions

E.   The provision of the salvation ---- (v.16-17):

1.    The joint provision of the Lord and God the Father

2.    Because of the love and grace of God;

3.    Obtain the eternal consolation of God;

4.    Obtain the good hope;

5.    The establishment in every good word and work;

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Mary Zhou