Where Transformation Began: “Basic Training” – 1 and 2 Thessalonians

The young man standing at my door bore only a slight resemblance to the pudgy little kid that used to live next door. Now twenty-two and serving our nation in the military, this young man had the look of a well-chiseled frame, taught of muscle and sharp in features. I could scarcely see in his eyes the youth and uncertainty that once marked his steps. This was no kid; he was now a US Marine.

I wonder… How did those who were engaged in making Marines out of our boys manage to press deep disciplines into undisciplined, sloppily-dressed apathetic youths? They took them through what has come to be known as “basic training.” They worked to transform these young men with rigorous training, discipline and constant contests against each other and their own lazy inclinations. They tested, tried, taunted and troubled them into transformation of mind and body. They repeated exercises until muscles responded in memory when the brain was still mostly asleep. I don’t know much about the process, but there is the one this anyone who passes through the experience can tell you: Discipline comes at a price. No one becomes well-trained in a passive and unintentional environment.

Dear ones, I have been spending time with believers in a number of places. God is at work in many corners of our planet, and I am blessed to be a part of many things far larger than I ever could have imagined. The believers I have been with come from many parts of the world, and they don’t all share the same experiences, cultures, languages and politics. Yet, it is clear to me as I journey that I am encountering many of the same attitudes and practices no matter where I turn. Out of a heart of concern, I say to you that I believe the world is impacting the believer, in many cases, far more than the believers are impacting the world. Collectively and individually, our salt is in danger of losing its saltiness.

I know that most of you know this basic truth of Scripture:

Believers are called, first and foremost to be “distinct” (the meaning of the word “holy” in Scripture).

When we lose that distinctiveness in look and sound, the “salt loses its savor” and becomes worthless for the purpose of witness and impact on our world. It offers nothing to flavor the world that is unique. Though our worth to God is not in question, our worth in witness is reduced to bland mimicry of the world’s ways. Let’s say it this way: No good cook reaches for salt shakers filled with beach sand to flavor the stew.

How can we go back to the training we received in the beginning to help us recover our individual paths of transformation? That is the question I want to explore for the moments we have together.

Maybe the place to begin is where instruction in our faith began. To that end, I want to look back at where the writings of Paul began to instruct the church to begin their impact on the world around them – by allowing the Spirit to transform them from within. I want to look briefly at his first two letters that were addressed to the Thessalonian believers of the first century. Here is what I believe will become obvious from our study…

Key Principle: The call of the believer is to cling to Jesus while His Spirit transforms us to a distinctiveness we cannot achieve on our own.

Drop your eyes into 1 Thessalonians for a few minutes. In the time allotted, I cannot offer a deeply detailed study, but I am not persuaded that is truly necessary to make the point Paul wanted us to take away.

Transformation by the Spirit can and does happen. It doesn’t always take ions of time and volumes of copious notes. It does, however, take intentional and focused submission to Jesus as we let Him lead us.

Paul’s first epistles opened with simple reminders of the authors and their intended recipients (1 Thessalonians 1:1 and 2 Thessalonians 1:1)

“Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

It is worth recalling that this wasn’t a tiny country village off the beaten track, but rather the capital and largest city of the Roman province of Macedonia. Located on the Egnatian Way, a major road from Rome to the eastern provinces, the city served as center of trade and commerce.

We know about the beginnings of this church.

The establishment of the church is recorded in Acts 17:1-9. This was on Paul’s incredibly difficult second missionary journey, He and his companions (Silas and Timothy) had just left Philippi and passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia to arrive at Thessalonica. As was his custom, Paul immediately located the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews for three Sabbaths concerning Jesus Christ. While some of them were persuaded, including a great number of devout Greeks and leading women, the unbelieving Jews became jealous and created uproar within the city. It became necessary to send Paul and Silas away secretly by night to the city of Berea, almost one hundred fifty (150) miles away!

Despite ominous beginnings, a strong church was established in Thessalonica (cf. 1:2-10). Mostly Gentile (cf. 1:9), its members included Jason (Ac 17:9), Aristarchus, and Secundus (Ac 20:4).

In spite of their initial troubles, Paul tried to open each letter (one written shortly after the other) with something “upbeat.” Listen to how positive his words were, considering the shortness of their time to get underway:

1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ…

5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction…

6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit…

Leaders need to see past the troubles into the joys. Good leaders highlight the good things. They see the problems, but they also balance that with God’s good hand in the midst of the struggle. Paul demonstrated that.

We know about the specific circumstances surrounding the letters.

From the letter itself (1 Thess. 3:1-6), and the record of Paul’s travels in Acts (Ac 17:10-18:11), it appears that Paul wrote this letter soon after arriving in Corinth on his second journey. This would put it somewhere around 52 CE, when Paul was in his late 40’s in age. His concerns were used by God to ignite his writing career, and give us the bulk of the New Testament by his life’s end.

It is obvious when reading, that his abrupt and forced departure from Thessalonica so soon after the beginning of the church left Paul anxious about the condition of the brethren in that city. When Timothy joined Paul at Athens (cf. Acts 17:14-16), his concern prompted Paul to send Timothy at once back to Thessalonica to encourage and ground the new disciples in the faith, and to learn how they were enduring persecution (cf. 3:1-5). When Timothy returned to Paul in Corinth (cf. Ac 18:5), the news was mostly encouraging (cf. 1 Thess. 3:6-7).

Despite persecution they had remained strong (1 Thess. 2:13-16), and even proved themselves to be an example to others (1 Thess. 1:6-8). Yet, as with any young church, they needed further instruction concerning holy living and the work of Jesus in them.

We know about the problems they were facing.

The letters made clear issues were lurking beneath the surface. The three most prominent problems in Thessalonica were persecution, confusion and discouragement.:

In 1 Thessalonians 2 and 2 Thessalonians 1, Paul noted the church barely got started, and was swamped with persecutors and problems – they needed confidence that God understood their problem.

One of the most powerful attacks of the enemy is PERSECUTION. It is not simply the act of beating down believers that he uses. He seeks to get believers stirred with a rage of injustice in order to get them to doubt God’s reality or perhaps question God’s true goodness. Troubles make us impatient at best, cynical at worst. This is an old ploy – and the enemy has used it since the beginning of the church. Because people are against your message does not mean that the message is wrong. It may mean their hearts are the problem. If you look closely, the condition of the attackers hearts will become apparent.

Paul made clear God is not unaware of the unfair attacks believers suffer – He simply awaits the proper time to respond. This is the nature of 2 Thessalonians 1. Be careful of being led away from sharing Jesus because of the injustice of an irrational lost world. It is a trick. Judgment will come in due course – but not until the last man, woman or child is reached by a sharing believer! If we allow ourselves to get stirred up, love will dissipate, and anger will suppress our call to obedience.

In our world, “wrong” (as defined by God’s Word) will be called “right.” God will be mocked by mutineers. People will make outrageous charges against the people of the truth – and allow others who are clearly sinister to walk by untouched by accusation. We must anticipate it, and we dare not allow ourselves to be distracted by it. God promised His unending presence; not unabated fairness.

By the time of 2 Thessalonians 2, it seems some were shaken by a false letter and forged explanations of eschatology that were designed to throw them off track of following the truth – they needed clarification of what Paul already taught them.

The enemy loves CONFUSION in the church. Sometimes it is the muddling of false doctrine that emerges from improper use of the text of Scripture. Sometimes it is the elevation of false scripture – or the relentless charges against the true Word of God. Still other times, it is the misguided and poorly formed teaching of a wayward pulpit. After two thousand years, the enemy has played a role in all of these.

Both letters show that some were upset and distracted by undisciplined and disorderly Christians, who were not living the truth – they needed a charge to make certain their responses.

This third attack invokes DISCOURAGEMENT. It is hard to serve God when you see so many believers that act with disregard to the Word and God’s Spirit! Paul ascribed the bad behavior in the wayward as undisciplined behavior. He didn’t simply call them lazy, he argued that proper disciplines in life that were essential to obedience were simply lacking – and that resulted in dependencies on others that were not right.

In the letters, I could seven direct calls toward transformation. That doesn’t cover every detail of the two epistles, but it does give the essentials to the basic training in the first of the manuals given to the church by God.

Seven Calls to Transformation

Drop directly into 1 Thessalonians 4, where Paul picked up on the opening instructions of seven points of transformation, and look at their purpose:

1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. 2 For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

There it is! The clear purposes of each letter was to:

• Make a special request: erōtáō (from eromai, “ask”) – make an earnest request, especially by someone in a “preferred position” – as Paul obviously was.

• As well as offer a special encouragement: parakaléō (from pará, “from close-beside” and kaléō, “to call”) – properly, “make a call” while being “close-up and personal.”

• The point of these personal requests were that they “excel more” (perisseúō: meaning “to exceed previous levels”) in a holy (distinctive) walk.

Don’t miss that verse two says the commands came from Jesus (1 Thess. 4:2) so they were essential.

What were they? Follow the line of his writings in the rest of the first epistle and in the second letter as well.

Call One: Live in Distinctive Purity

Paul started with the believers surrendered use of their body for God’s purposes. He wrote:

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God … 8 So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

Sexual freedom as defined by our society is a masquerade for godless, pagan, rebellion. It isn’t rejection of the church – it is the rejection of God’s right to be God. He made us. He called us to define right and wrong NOT BY OUR FALLEN DESIRES but by His carefully stated and illustrated Word.

I plead with you if you know Christ today to learn to curb the desires of your body and walk in obedience to Jesus Christ. One million years from now, you will celebrate that victory. Don’t excuse your bad behavior by your desires. We all have them. They shouldn’t define you, nor should they control you. You and I are called to be different than the world around us.

Call Two: A Call to Distinctive Focus

If you keep reading, Paul offered a second word – and this one is about the sparkling objects to which we most pay attention. This one is about where we focus…

1 Thessalonians 4:10b “…But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, 12 so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.

We live in a time when many will spend hours surfing the web and picking up causes over which they can fume. They will read about injustice. They will read about abuses. They will fall into the negative trap of believing that offering an opinion is what will change the world.

The believer should spend more time loving the girl who got pregnant out of wedlock and drawing her to Jesus than protesting Planned Parenthood. The latter deserves to be derided, but not more than caring for the people in our lives. Get busy doing more than criticizing what is wrong with our world. I would humbly suggest the world has more critics than it needs already. Get involved in something that stirs your heart and make a difference. Work hard. Be a person with that reputation. You and I are called to be different than the world around us.

Call Three: A Call to Distinct Understanding

Paul kept the fire hot and wrote…

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. … 15 …we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive [n]and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. 5:1 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. … 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. …11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Believers are to understand the times we live in. Some of us will die, but the body sown in the ground will get recycled at the coming of Jesus. Jesus can deal with all of it when He returns, and HE WILL RETURN. It will be sudden, when the world has tossed aside the idea that He ever came, let alone the idea that He will return.

Because we know He is coming again, we should be encouraged. We should be watchful. We should care about how we use our time, our talent and our treasure. We only have what we have because He gave it to us. You and I are called to be different than the world around us.

Call Four: A Call to Distinct Gratefulness

Look for a moment at the reminder of how we should sound concerning those God has given us to serve with in the Kingdom…

1 Thessalonians 5:12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work.

Paul noted the way to do that is:

• 13b “…Live in peace with one another.
• 14b “…admonish the unruly.
• 14b “…encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
• 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.
• 16 Rejoice always;
• 17 pray without ceasing;
• 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
• 19 Do not quench the Spirit;
• 20 Do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;
• 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

What if believers lived out those truths? What if the people of our churches focused on getting along instead of sharing dirt behind the scenes? What if we lovingly built relationships where correction wasn’t a mallet, but an act of love? You and I are called to be different than the world around us.

Call Five: A Call to Distinct Courage

Paul offered in 2 Thessalonians 1 some inspiration to oppressed and persecuted Christians as he wrote these words:

2 Thessalonians 1: 5 [This is] a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. 6 For after all it is [only] just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and [to give] relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire…

He noted that believers must “take heart” in persecution?

If the days grow dark, we are to keep growing and know that our testimony is enhanced by the testing of persecution. We must learn to be settled in recognizing that God will deal with those who are hurting you (1:6). We have to remember that the Magnificent One is on His way! (1:10). We have to understand that God will use your lives powerfully to glorify Jesus (1:11-12). Ask the Coptic Christians that withstood fear in the face of Muslim Brotherhood. Ask the Iraqi believers who endured the horror of ISIS.

Massive numbers of followers of Jesus have sprung from those events. Though pushed out of some places in the Middle East, there are plenty of new congregations and believers. We have to be courageous. We have to stand firm. We have to stop trying to appease evil. You and I are called to be different than the world around us.

Call Six: A Call to Distinct Commitment

Paul offered instruction to perplexed Christians with this simple command:

2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we request you… 2 that you not be quickly shaken …or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for [it will not come] unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, … 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. … 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false… 15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught…

Believers are called to recognize that God clearly holds our future in His hands!

When trouble came, they tried to decide if they were in the wrath of the “Day of the Lord” – but they weren’t (2 Thess. 2:1-2). Knowing the Word and resting in its surety would have saved them much in anxiety. Paul made clear that first came the “snatching away” and then the “Man of Sin” would be revealed (2:3).

The Greek noun “apostasia” is used twice in the New Testament (here and Acts 21:21 referencing Paul as “teaching Jews among the Gentiles to forsake (apostasia) Moses.” The term is “apo” or from and “istemi” “stand” with a core meaning of “departure”. The Liddell and Scott Greek Lexicon defines “apostasia” as either “a defection or revolt” or a “departure or disappearance.” Is this the rapture of the church? Is this the falling away of the church? I cannot say for sure, though I have an opinion.

The point is that we are called to understand the times based on the revealed truths of the Word. God isn’t playing games, and times must be seen through the glass of the Word.

What is clear is there is a restraint on the lawlessness that is growing, and will come to an explosion when the end comes. (2:4-7). Lawlessness means “making up our own rules.” The pressure is building, and that shouldn’t surprise us – but there is a God-ordained restraint upon him right now. Don’t be dismayed, Jesus will deal with his power! (2:8). The enemy will work, and God will dull minds, but it will all be dealt with in the coming judgment (2:9-12). Be thankful with us that God has called us to rescue and deliverance! (2:13-17). Don’t let discouragement over the behaviors you see take over your heart. You and I are called to be different than the world around us.

Call Seven: A Call to Distinct Discipline

At the heart of Paul’s “Injunctions to disorderly Christians” he the need to deal with the unruly in the church. Many will be the voices that suggest we should ignore bad behavior because we don’t want to come off as “judgy.” Here is what the Word says:

2 Thessalonians 3: 6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we [kept] working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; 9 not because we do not have the right [to this], but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example…

There will always be wayward ones in our world. Paul made clear:

• Back away from them during their disobedience (3:6).
• Keep walking in discipline and work hard (3:7).
• Don’t try to get things from others for free – work hard (3:8-10).
• Remember that people need productive work to do or they will multiply sinful behaviors (3:11).
• Recognize that practical instruction is part of the work of the church (3:12).
• Don’t tire of doing right and walking in obedience (3:13-14a).
• If someone won’t follow the Word, mark them and admonish them in brotherly affection (3:14b-15).

The point is clear: The call of the believer is to cling to Jesus while His Spirit transforms us to a distinctiveness we cannot achieve on our own.

Before we are finished, let’s hear two warnings:

First, while we are called to walk well, I won’t hesitate to remind you, that isn’t our ultimate focus. In fact, if we focus on doing right, our works will be good. If we focus on walking with Him, that relationship will help us begin to understand holiness – true distinctiveness. The two do not end in the same place because they come from a different place. One is rooted in accomplishment; the other builds on relationship.

Second, Jesus said that when He left, He sent the Spirit of God to work in the LOST to bring conviction. (John 16:8-9). Look at what a comfort that truth is!

• We do not ARGUE people into the Kingdom of God.
• We don’t PROTEST them into the throne room of the King.
• We don’t SHAME them into following Jesus.

We teach His Word – and do it with love and grace. We accept their harsh words, as those who “know not what they are doing” but stand unapologetically by the Word of the King.

How does that “weak” and “unaggressive” method work in such a “dog eat dog” world? It works incredibly well – because we have the privilege of laboring beside the powerful partner of the Spirit of God.

Jesus does the changing; we hold His hand and follow His lead.

God on the Move: “Power Lifting” – 2 Thessalonians

hysterical strength1Every now and then, you may hear of a report of what researchers have termed “hysterical strength.” This is displayed when an act of what appears to be “superhuman” strength is demonstrated by someone who appears otherwise “normal.” It usually occurs during a rescue of others in a life and death situation. Most common among the anecdotal examples are mothers lifting boulders, an adult pulling a child from under a vehicle while lifting the structure of it, or some other weighty item pushed aside by a normal adult in order to rescue their trapped child and save their life or limb. Some speculate that it is accomplished by an overabundance of adrenaline brought on by hysterical fear, and physicians note that it can often result in torn muscles and sometimes even permanent physical impairment to the rescuer. Some examples from the news of this uncommon event include:

In 1982, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Tony Cavallo was repairing a 1964 Chevrolet Impala automobile from underneath. The vehicle was propped up with jacks, but it fell. Cavallo’s mother, Mrs. Angela Cavallo, lifted the car high enough and long enough for two neighbours to replace the jacks and pull Tony from beneath the car. (Clark, Josh. “How can adrenaline help you lift a 3,500-pound car?” 11 December 2007. HowStuffWorks.com. retrieved 13 November 2008).

In 2006, Quebec resident Lydia Angiyou saved several children by fighting a polar bear until a local hunter shot it. (Jane George (2006-02-17). “Polar bear no match for fearsome mother in Ivujivik”. Nunatsiaq News / Nortext Publishing Corporation (Iqaluit). Retrieved 2009-01-01).

In 2009, in Kansas, 5 ft. 7 in (1.70 m), 185 lb. (84 kg) Nick Harris lifted a Mercury sedan to help a 6-year-old girl pinned beneath (Associated Press. “Kansas dad somehow lifts car off 6-year-old girl”, 18 December 2009. news.yahoo.com. retrieved 19 December 2009).

In 2011, in Tampa, Florida, 6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m), 295 lb. (134 kg) college football player Danous Estenor lifted a 3,500 lb. (1,600 kg) car off of a man who had been caught underneath. The man was a tow truck driver who had been pinned under the rear tire of a 1990 Cadillac Seville, which had lurched forward as he worked underneath it. The man suffered only minor injuries (Greg Auman (2011-06-24). “USF Bulls offensive lineman Danous Estenor lifts car to free trapped man”. St. Petersburg Times (Tampa Bay, FL).

In 2012, in Virginia, 22-year-old Lauren Kornacki rescued her father, Alec Kornacki, after the jack used to prop up his BMW slipped, pinning him under it. Lauren lifted the car, then performed CPR on her father and saved his life. (http://abcnews.go.com/US/superhero-woman-lifts-car-off-ad/story?id=16907591#.UMay 9Hfeba4).

In 2013, in Oregon, teenage sisters, Hanna (age 16) & Haylee (age 14) lifted a tractor to save their father pinned underneath. (http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/04/11/oregon-man-pinned-under-3000-pound-tractor-saved-by-two-teen-daughters/).

In each of these cases, otherwise normal people did the extraordinary – and they rescued another person. Most of us love these kinds of stories! Just imagining that people can, under duress, come to the rescue gives us a special kind of hope. Knowing that they did perform extraordinary rescue to save another, the people I mentioned gained a sense of special courage and love. Often in these stories, they are referred to as “heroes.”

In the physical realm, it is easy to see the heavy lifting and the rescue – whereas in the spiritual realm it is less obvious, but more significant – because it is eternally valuable. I am thinking a spiritual leader, and his writings to an oppressed congregation. I am think about how he gave hope in the face of suffering for their faith. We are again returned to the life of Paul the Apostle. It’s true, he didn’t lift an overturned chariot off a helpless child, nor did he fend off a runaway camel in the marketplace – but he was used of God to rescue believers who were feeling the weight of persecution, confusion and discouragement. He lifted baby Christians to help effect a spiritual rescue from the weight on them. Let me assure you: There is very little that a believer will ever do that is more difficult than lifting another disciple of Jesus who is beat down – but there is little that is as rewarding!

Key Principle: Mature believers can lift younger believers by offering God’s perspective (through His Word) to those trapped in a tough place.

There were three problems in Thessalonica that Paul offered help concerning:

The Attack of Persecution: Inspiration to Oppressed Christians

The church barely got started, and was swamped with persecutors and problems – they needed confidence that God understood their problem.

2 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 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; 4 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. 5 [This is] a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. 6 For after all it is [only] just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and [to give] relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed– for our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.

One of the most powerful attacks of the enemy is PERSECUTION. It is not simply the act of beating down believers that he uses. He seeks to get believers stirred with a rage of injustice in order to get them to doubt God’s control or perhaps question God’s true goodness. Troubles make us impatient at best, cynical at worst. This is an old ploy – and the enemy has used it since the beginning of his pursuit to destroy God’s program. Remember this: Because people are against your message does not mean that the message is wrong. It may mean their hearts are the problem. If you observe the verses we read closely, the condition of the attacker’s hearts was made apparent.

What was God’s answer? He offered comforting truths about the way He plans to deal in judgment. God is not unaware of the unfair attacks believers suffer – He simply awaits the proper time to respond. This is the nature of 2 Thessalonians 1. Be careful of being led away from sharing Jesus because of the injustice of an irrational lost world. It is a trick. Judgment will come in due course – but not until the last man, woman or child is reached by an obedient believer! If we allow ourselves to get stirred up against injustice without grasping God’s heart, love will dissipate, and anger will overtake our call to obedience. In our world, wrong will be called right. God will be mocked. People will make outrageous charges against the people of the Truth – and allow others who are clearly sinister to walk by untouched. We must anticipate it, and we dare not allow ourselves to be distracted by hatred – that isn’t a Christian response to persecution. What ARE we to do? How do believers take heart in persecution?

Paul offered a number of important ways to respond:

First, believers should remember that when we follow God, our message keeps growing. People we do not know are hearing of our testimony, and they are better able to make it through the testing of persecution because of our steadfastness in the Gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:3-5).

Second, we must be settled by the fact that God has promised He will deal with those who are hurting His people (2 Thessalonians 1:6). He has not forgotten those who are suffering, and He will make all things right in the end.

Third, we must recognize the timing of the Lord in regard to judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8). Christians will be killed, as they have been for centuries. They will be mocked, ostracized and pressed by a lost world. That isn’t a sign that God is dead – it is a sign that what He promised has continued to come to pass. God doesn’t set His prophetic watch by our comfort – generations before us have learned this lesson. It may now become our turn.

Fourth, remember that the suffering of every follower of Jesus has an end, but the judgment of those without Christ has no end (2 Thessalonians 1:9). The most profound description of their judgment is the word “eternal”. Does that not move your heart to pray against the deception that has so blinded them? We must not forget that the “Magnificent One” is on His way! (2 Thessalonians 1:10).

Finally, we must recall that suffering is a calling of God that is given to refine a people to bring glory to Him. The world doesn’t understand the concept of such sacrifice, and worldly Christians won’t either. God created us to follow Him, and saved us to powerfully glorify Jesus (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12). Our lives are FOR HIM, or they are for us. True Christianity has offered to God all that we are to be used by Him for His purpose – whether in comfort or in persecution.

The Attack of Confusion: Instruction to Perplexed Christians

Some generations were not attacked by overt persecution. Yet, they were not exempt from attack. Theirs came in the form of confusing tricks planted by the enemy. In the case of the Thessalonians, on top of external pressures, some were shaken by a forged letter with false explanations of eschatology that were designed to throw them off track of following the truth – they needed a refresher of what Paul already taught them.

2:1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for [it will not come] unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? 6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 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. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9 [that is], the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word [of mouth] or by letter from us. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

This second attack of the enemy – this CONFUSION – is and example of the intentional mixing of false doctrine that is planted like an explosive device beside the road. It often stems from someone’s intention and improper use of the text of Scripture. Sometimes it is the elevation of false scriptures – or the relentless charges against the true Word of God. Still other times, it is the misguided and poorly formed teaching of a wayward pulpit. After two thousand years, the enemy has played a role in all of these.

Walk the streets and talk to people about Christ. You will bump into the Mormon that has another book beside the Bible – and the discussion will shift to canonization and what is the Word of God – away from the clear need for Jesus as Savior. Keep walking, you will find the cultural Christian of the Bible belt that has been fed a Hallmark card Jesus who loves everyone and condemns no one’s feelings. He is the fairy tale Jesus that is not found in the Gospels, but no matter, He is “preached” in all kinds of churches as they find rights for all sorts of moral wrong. Go a bit further, you will meet the atheist, the agnostic and the cynic. If they don’t frustrate you, keep walking and you will find the “self-benefit” Christian, who has been systematically taught to pick and choose morsels of from their bullet-point Bible without context – and they will begin to espouse some kind of mixture of Republican politics and conservatism, all rolled into their so-called “Christian” faith. After unprecedented blessing of the church for decades, you can see the damage of liberal Christianity, prosperity Christianity, television pop Christianity… but you will struggle to find well-balanced and mature believers that know God’s Word. Confusion has been a major attack in our time.

What was God’s answer? He offered in the letter some statements that were to help His followers recognize the voice of the Heavenly Shepherd, and follow Him alone. This is the sound found in 2 Thessalonians 2. Be careful to learn the Word in its context. Be careful to learn from sources that have been well-grounded, and evidence properly living. No one is perfect, and no one’s understanding is complete – but there are clearly better sources and worse ones. Stay away from the flimsy and speculative – and be proactive about your growth in understanding of the Word.

Remember that a events unfold, God revealed the future holds. Here is what Paul shared:

First, don’t think that the wrath of the “Day of the Lord” is what you are experiencing – it isn’t (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2). You are being persecuted, but that isn’t the Great Tribulation – it is YOUR great tribulation.

Second, don’t be fooled – first is the “snatching” and then the “Man of Sin” is revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:3). The Greek noun “apostasia” is used twice in the New Testament (here and Acts 21:21 referencing Paul as ” teaching Jews among the Gentiles to forsake (apostasia) Moses.” The term is “apo” or from and “istemi” “stand” with a core meaning of “departure”. The Liddell and Scott Greek Lexicon defines “apostasia” as either “a defection or revolt” or a “departure or disappearance.”

I know there is confusion in the church about whether this means we should expect a great falling away from the faith or whether or not this refers to the snatching away of the church. Let me take a moment and make a brief argument in favor of Paul stating this was the removal of the church to the clouds, and not some great liberal departure from the truth of the Christian faith.

First, recognize the word “apostasia” was rendered by the first seven English translations as either ” departure” or ” departing.” They are as follows: Wycliffe Bible (1384); Tyndale Bible (1526); Coverdale Bible (1535); Cranmer Bible (1539); Breeches Bible (1576); Beza Bible (1583); Geneva Bible (1608). In addition, the verb form of the word is used often of a “spatial departure” or exit from the scene.

Next, recognize that translators of the King James Version were the first to introduce the new rendering of “apostasia” as ” falling away” though no valid reason was ever given by them.

Finally, put the statement in the context of the time and place Paul was writing. He COULD have been saying to them: “Don’t worry, the tribulation won’t come until millions accept the Gospel, and then through a series of enemy attacks they systematically fall away from Christ and the truth!” Would that make sense to them? They were a small band of believers that had never seen many come to Christ at all. Would they have conceptualized the future of the West? Since Paul specifically wrote in the first letter about the coming of Jesus to remove the believers to the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) is it unreasonable that this single word should recall that “departure” as preparatory of the Tribulation?

IF the word “apostasia” referred to the departure of the church at the “Rapture”, that event will precede the revealing of the “man of sin” and the Great Tribulation he brings with him. If it meant “falling away” from the faith, that will precede the revelation of the “man of sin” and the Great Tribulation. Does anyone really want to try to convince us right now that the world is growing TOWARD CHRIST? In either case, the end looks like it is closing in…Taking into account both theological approaches, our expectation is either greater persecution before the end or a rescue in the clouds. I’d keep my eyes on the eastern sky.

Paul to them: “Don’t forget!” There is a restraining influence on the man of lawlessness’ full revealing that will be removed before the end comes. (2:4-7). The influence is there, and the hunger to be revealed – but there is a God-ordained restraint upon him right now. I believe that is the believer. I cannot imagine what will happen to the definition of marriage the moment every believer is removed from the legislature. People picture the tragedy of the moments after the rapture by showing disappearing pilots from planes. That is not the worst of it. It is the disappearance of Biblically derived morality from law that will destroy civilian society.

Paul told them: “Don’t be dismayed, Jesus will deal with all that is created by the evil one’s power!” (2 Thessalonians 2:8, paraphrased). The enemy will perform his work while he can and God will dull minds as a penalty – but it will all be dealt with in the coming judgment (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

Paul called believers to be thankful that God has called us to rescue and deliverance! (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17). The promises of God are true, and clinging to His Word is the answer to confusion! Grab it! Read it! Know It!

The Attack of Discouragement: Injunctions for Dealing with Disorderly Christians

As if problems from outside the faith weren’t bad enough – some Christians were living unruly and undisciplined lives and confusing the testimony of the church. Others in the church were also upset by the disorderly Christians, who were not living out the truth – but they weren’t sure how to respond. They wanted to be loving, but they also wanted to be right in their response.

This third attack is still common today, that of DISCOURAGEMENT. It is hard to serve God when you see so many believers that act as bad as the world! Paul ascribes the bad behavior they saw in the wayward as undisciplined behavior. He didn’t simply call them lazy, he argued that proper disciplines in life that were essential to obedience were simply lacking – and that resulted in dependencies on others that were not right.

What was God’s answer? The church needed to take external actions to make clear the unacceptable nature of the wayward believer’s individual choices. The body needed to instruct, correct and if need be, withdraw from them. Discouragement infects the body when it becomes a victim of the situation and leaders refuse to respond to sin. If left alone, the body would be constantly weakened – sapped of resources and grumbling behind the scenes. The best way to deal with wrong is mark it, and then make clear the proper boundaries and responses to behaviors.

3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as [it did] also with you; 2 and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil [one]. 4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will [continue to] do what we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ. 6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we [kept] working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; 9 not because we do not have the right [to this], but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15 [Yet] do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all! 17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

How should believers handle those who are wayward in the ranks? Paul offered seven directives:

1. Back away from them during their disobedience (3:6).
2. Keep walking in discipline and work hard (3:7).
3. Don’t try to get things from others for free – work hard (3:8-10).
4. Remember that people need productive work to do or they will multiply sins (3:11).
5. Recognize that practical instruction is part of the work of the church (3:12).
6. Don’t tire of doing right and walking in obedience (3:13-14a).
7. If someone won’t follow the Word, mark them and admonish them in brotherly affection (3:14b-15).

Mature believers can lift younger believers by offering God’s perspective (through His Word) to those trapped in a tough place.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln said, “We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.” May we not allow this thinking to drive the church in this hour!

May we humble ourselves and recognize the goodness of God every moment we live without the threat of a sword on our children at home, and seek God prayerfully for our brothers and sisters whose bodies are being broken by evil men this very hour. May we trust God to lift them with grace we have not experienced, because they are facing terror we have not faced? May we remember that God knows every child’s name who is being brutalized, and He will make things right in His time? One more thing: Cherish your Bible, it may not always be accessible or well thought of – even here. Those under the sword don’t need our panic, they need our prayer-filled, joy-filled confident responses to help them stand. The attack is not over, it has just begun… but God has a plan.

One Hour – One Book: “The Second Letter to the Thessalonians”

beat upBeat up, confused and discouraged – these were the early believers of Thessalonica that Paul wrote. Here are some STUDENT NOTES that may help you study the letter more effectively.

The church barely got started, and was swamped with persecutors and problems – they needed confidence that God understood their problem.

One of the most powerful attacks of the enemy is PERSECUTION. It is not simply the act of beating down believers that he uses. He seeks to get believers stirred with a rage of injustice in order to get them to doubt God’s reality or perhaps question God’s true goodness. Troubles make us impatient at best, cynical at worst. This is an old ploy – and the enemy has used it since the beginning of the church. Because people are against your message does not mean that the message is wrong. It may mean their hearts are the problem. If you look closely, the condition of the attackers hearts will become apparent.

What was God’s answer? He offered comforting truths about the way He will deal in judgment. God is not unaware of the unfair attacks believers suffer – He simply awaits the proper time to respond. This is the nature of 2 Thessalonians 1. Be careful of being led away from sharing Jesus because of the injustice of an irrational lost world. It is a trick. Judgment will come in due course – but not until the last man, woman or child is reached by an obedient believer! If we allow ourselves to get stirred up, love will dissipate, and anger will suppress our call to obedience. In our world, wrong will be called right. God will be mocked. People will make outrageous charges against the people of the Truth – and allow others who are clearly sinister to walk by untouched. We must anticipate it, and we dare not allow ourselves to be distracted by it.

Some were shaken by a false letter and forged explanations of eschatology that were designed to throw them off track of following the truth – they needed clarification of what Paul already taught them.

A second attack that has been successfully used by the enemy is CONFUSION. Sometimes it is the muddling of false doctrine that emerges from improper use of the text of Scripture. Sometimes it is the elevation of false scripture – or the relentless charges against the true Word of God. Still other times, it is the misguided and poorly formed teaching of a wayward pulpit. After two thousand years, the enemy has played a role in all of these.

What was God’s answer? He offered in the letter some statements that were to make His follower recognize the voice of the Heavenly Shepherd, and follow Him alone. This is the sound found in 2 Thessalonians 2. Be careful to learn the Word in its context. Be careful to learn from sources that have been well grounded, and evidence properly living. No one is perfect, and no one’s understanding is complete – but there are clearly better sources and worse ones. Stay away from the flimsy and speculative – and be proactive about your growth in understanding of the Word.

Some were upset by undisciplined and disorderly Christians, who were not living the truth – they needed a charge to make certain their responses.

A third attack that is still common today is that of DISCOURAGEMENT. It is hard to serve God when you see so many believers that act as bad as the world! Paul ascribes the bad behavior the saw in the wayward as undisciplined behavior. He didn’t simply call them lazy, he argued that proper disciplines in life that were essential to obedience were simply lacking – and that resulted in dependencies on others that were not right.

What was God’s answer? The church needed to take external actions to make clear the unacceptable nature of the wayward believer’s individual choices. The body needed to instruct, correct and if need be, withdraw from them. Discouragement infects the body when it doesn’t know a response – and it therefore becomes a victim of the situation. If left alone, the body would be constantly weakened – sapped of resources and grumbling behind the scenes. The best way to deal with wrong is mark it out, and then make clear the proper boundaries and responses to it.

The letter has three parts:

Inspiration to Oppressed Christians (1)

2 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 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; 4 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. 5 [This is] a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. 6 For after all it is [only] just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and [to give] relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed– for our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.

Instruction to Perplexed Christians (2)

2:1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for [it will not come] unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? 6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 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. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9 [that is], the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word [of mouth] or by letter from us. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

Injunctions to Disorderly Christians (3)

3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as [it did] also with you; 2 and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil [one]. 4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will [continue to] do what we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ. 6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we [kept] working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; 9 not because we do not have the right [to this], but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15 [Yet] do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all! 17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Acceptance of the Letter as Authentic

One of the critical debates a student of the Word today will face outside the halls of a Bible believing church is this: How do we know that what we have TRULY came from the Apostles and is our uncorrupted? The Bible is only the answer if we recognize its authority – and there are many voices that try to erode both its authority and its influence – even in some “Christian” circles. Bible believers tend to just “write off” the critics – but that does little to help prepare our youth to have their faith attacked in the public university, and now even in many a “Christian” college.

What do critics say about 2 Thessalonians, and how can their critiques be addressed?

Critical scholars have made arguments about whether Paul actually wrote the second letter to the Thessalonians. In fact, among the Bible’s critics, it is one of the least accepted books of the “corpus Paulinum”. For purposes of understanding the variety of critical scholars, it might be interesting to note that Epistles that are accepted by as Pauline include Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians and Galatians. Most, but not all, accept Philippians, 1 Thessalonians and Philemon as authentically Pauline in origin. More objections have been raised about Colossians – although it is still generally accepted as Pauline. From there, the scales tip against Pauline authorship in the minds of critical scholars. They find many objections in 2 Thessalonians, and even more in Ephesians. Perhaps the least accepted are the so-called Pastoral Epistles – 1, 2 Timothy and Titus. The reasons for their doubts vary, but it is worth offering some brief responses to their criticisms of the letter we are studying – 2 Thessalonians.

Fact: This letter had great acceptance and support in the earliest years of the faith.

We should recall that the earliest lists of the letters that are widely regarded INCLUDE the letter and do not challenge its legitimacy or authorship. These lists include both Marcion’s canon (c.144 CE) and the Muratorian canon (c.180 CE).

• In July, 144 CE, Marcion, (son of the bishop of Sinope who was a wealthy ship-owner), stood before the presbyters to defend his teachings. He was excommunicated and he began to use his money to spread a strand of Christianity that quickly took root in the Roman Empire and by the end of the 2nd century. His followers, called the Marcionites set up their church to defy the mainstream. He left only one single work, Antitheses (Contradictions), in which he set forth his ideas, but it was not wholly preserved. Scholars try to piece together its contents from the the writings of his theological opponents — particularly in Tertullian’s five volumes written against Marcion – Adversus Marcionem. The main points of Marcion’s teaching were the rejection of the Old Testament and a distinction between the Supreme God of goodness and an inferior God of justice, the God of the Jews. He regarded Christ as the messenger of the Supreme God. Marcion argued the Old and New Testaments were irreconcilable to each other. He accepted the following Christian writings in this order: Gospel according to Luke, Galatians, 1, 2 Corinthians, Romans, 1,2 Thessalonians, Ephesians (which Marcion called Laodiceans), Colossians, Philemon and Philippians – but even these had some things that needed to be adjusted. In his opinion the 12 apostles both misunderstood the teaching of Christ, (thinking Him to be the Messiah of the Jewish God) and falsified his words from that standpoint. He charged Judaizing interpolations had been introduced and he took them out – making his “authentic text” of the Gospel according to Luke into the “Evangelicon”, and his adapted ten Pauline letters into the “Apostolikon”.

Second Thessalonians is both quoted and named in the extant works of Irenaeus, and referenced by Ignatius, Justin Martyr, and Polycarp. The letter is included in the most ancient MSS (Latin, Syriac, and others), suggesting its full acceptance from the earliest times of the church. Don’t back up to frivolous charges like “Everyone knows they have proven these letters weren’t written by Paul!” There is no such PROOF, there are only recent academic opinions, and these were formed quite late in history. Early followers didn’t have these deep doubts.

What arguments are offered against the Pauline Authorship of the letter, and how can we pose some answers to these?

We could outline essentially five arguments that are often used to challenge the authenticity of this letter as from Paul’s own heart and quill.

First, there is what some see as a reversal in the eschatology of Paul from his previous letter to them. Some think this letter argues the Lord’s return is not imminent because there are signs that precede the Lord’s return. According to this argument, Paul’s authenticated work in 1 Thessalonians anticipated the Lord’s swift return, while 2 Thessalonians 2 seems to slow that down.

That appears an unfair evaluation in my view. Paul was facing a tricked and demoralized congregation, because of a fake set of messages that took what he wrote to be a comfort and turned it into pain. He wasn’t simply building on the last letter, he was calming them down from an attack. A careful look at the text shows that he was not fully explaining his position, but asking them to recall things he told them when he was with them (2:5,6). He withheld full explanation for brevity, to get the letter quickly to them and reassure them – snatching and revealing of the Man of Sin will precede the ending wrath of the “Day of the Lord”. A restraint will be removed, but it hadn’t happened yet.

Second, some cite linguistic features – that the language of the letter varied from Paul’s other writing. Here is the problem – such a comparison on only three chapters if very thin. If you took only three chapters of Romans, it may be possible to show that it was stylistically different than other parts of the same letter – because it was written over a period of time. I would suggest that the tone change may have to do with the rushed nature of the letter.

Akin to this argument is a third challenge by critics – the letter appears more formal in style than the earlier one. Again, I would argue that it was written under the duress of time, and sensitivity to a new type of attack on the congregation.

A fourth challenge has been raised about assumptions. To some it appears the readers were assumed to have a greater knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures than would be expected (in the view of the critic) of Roman Gentiles. This clarity of Gentile domination doesn’t take into account that many congregational leaders were likely Jews. The work began in a synagogue (Acts 17:1-10) and the leaders were likely chosen who knew much of God’s Word already (1 Tim. 3:6).

From an entirely different direction comes the claim of over similarity of his earlier letter. “Would Paul write twice to the same audience about the same topic?” some ask. This seems to ignore the stated reason for the letter – they were under attack and needed additional answers.

Date of writing

This letter was written between 50 and 54 CE near the end of the Second Mission Journey (closer to 54). It should certainly be dated very shortly after 1 Thessalonians, and is written with some urgency (cf. 2:1-3).

Paul was there for only three Sabbaths, and then forced to leave. He sent back messengers to checek on and correspond with the church. Since the Second Journey began in 50 CE or shortly after, and since the long part of the journey was the year and a half in Corinth, from which this letter was written, we suspect it was written in about 53 CE, the year before Emperor Claudius died.

Lessons of the Book

In chapter one, “Inspiration to Oppressed Christians” Paul spoke to those under attack and offered critical lessons:

How do believers take heart in persecution?

• Keep growing and know that your testimony is enhanced by the testing of persecution (1;3-5).
• Be settled in recognizing that God will deal with those who are hurting you (1:6).
• Recognize the timing of the Lord in regard to judgment (1:7-8).
• Remember that your suffering has an end, but their coming judgment does not end (1:9).
• Don’t forget the magnificent One is on His way! (1:10).
• Recall our prayers, that God will use your lives powerfully to glorify Jesus (1:11-12).

In chapter two, “Instruction to Perplexed Christians” Paul outlined the future:

Has God said clearly what our future holds? YES!

• Don’t think that the wrath of the “Day of the Lord” is what you are experiencing – it isn’t (2:1-2).
• Don’t be fooled – first is the “snatching” and then the “Man of Sin” is revealed (2:3).

The Greek noun “apostasia” is used twice in the New Testament (here and Acts 21:21 referencing Paul as ” teaching Jews among the Gentiles to forsake (apostasia) Moses.” The term is “apo” or from and “istemi” “stand” with a core meaning of “departure”. The Liddell and Scott Greek Lexicon defines “apostasia” as either “a defection or revolt” or a “departure or disappearance.”

• Don’t forget! There is a restraint on the man of lawlessness’ revealing that will be removed before the end comes. (2:4-7). The influence is there, and the hunger to be revealed – but there is a God-ordained restraint upon him right now.
• Don’t be dismayed, Jesus will deal with his power! (2:8). The enemy will work, and God will dull minds, but it will all be dealt with in the coming judgment (2:9-12).
• Be thankful with us that God has called us to rescue and deliverance! (2:13-17)

In chapter three, “Injunctions to Disorderly Christians”, Paul explained how to deal with the unruly:

How should believers handle those who are wayward in the ranks?

• Back away from them during their disobedience (3:6).
• Keep walking in discipline and work hard (3:7).
• Don’t try to get things from others for free – work hard (3:8-10).
• Remember that people need productive work to do or they will multiply sins (3:11).
• Recognize that practical instruction is part of the work of the church (3:12).
• Don’t tire of doing right and walking in obedience (3:13-14a).
• If someone won’t follow the Word, mark them and admonish them in brotherly affection (3:14b-15).