2 Thessalonians

Sunday, 15 October 2017

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Here Paul makes a play upon the words of the previous verse –

“for not all have (the) faith.”
“But the Lord is faithful.”

He is taking the same word, and applying it in two ways. He does this also in Romans 3:3. Here, he is in essence saying, “Not everyone possesses the faith. Despite this, the Lord is faithful.” The implication is that for all who have the faith, He is and always will be faithful. That is then explained in the next words. The Lord, who is faithful, “will establish you.” The word indicates “to firmly plant.” He had just prayed for the Thessalonians in verse 2:17 using this exact same word. Now, having made that prayer, he notes that it will be as he has prayed. This is based upon the faithful nature of God towards those who are in Christ Jesus.

And more than being established, he says that the Lord will also “guard you from the evil one.” Some translations simply say “evil.” However, with an article before evil, it should be translated as “the evil,” or “the evil one.” The personification of evil, or the source of evil, meaning the devil, is what is being presented. Again, like the word “faith,” he is using the same word as in the preceding verse, translated there as “wicked,” in order to make a play on the words –

“and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked (evil) men.”
“the Lord will guard you from the evil one.”

Note how he had just asked for prayers for himself and those with him in verse 1 & 2, but how in this verse he has spoken only in the second person. He immediately reverted from his needs to a note of comfort for his beloved brethren. The attitude is selfless and “other” directed. He trusts that the prayers of the church will be effective for him and his companions, and so he redirects immediately for their sake.

Life application: It is good to remember, even when we are in times of need, to extend words of comfort and edification to others. If we can trust that those we hope to receive comfort from will have us in prayer, then they are doing what they can for us. With this assurance, we should remember to build them up in their own walk through this world of trial and difficulty.

Most wonderful Lord! It is such a blessing to be able to share in prayer with others in our times of need. At various times, we all have needs. When it is our time, how wonderful it is to know others are praying for us. And so when their time comes, help us to be mindful to also pray for them. And surely You are attentive to all prayers of Your redeemed people. We know this is true because we have the perfect Mediator who never fails us! Thank You for this. Amen.

Saturday, 14 October 2017

…and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. 2 Thessalonians 3:2

The words here closely reflect those of Romans 15:31 –

“…that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe.”

Paul was constantly hemmed in and persecuted by those who lacked faith. In particular, it was the non-believing Jews. They hounded him, they attacked him, and they did their best to destroy him. This was also true among the Gentiles, but more often than not, their attacks were first spurred on by the unbelieving Jews. The book of Acts carefully details these things, and those in Thessalonica were perfectly aware of this, having seen it in their own city first hand. Acts 17 records this.

His request here, “that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men,” is given to describe the request for prayer of the previous verse. He had made his request, now he gives specific details concerning that request that they can plug into their prayers. The Greek actually has an article in front of “unreasonable.” Thus, he is identifying a specific group of people. It says, “and that we may be delivered from the unreasonable and wicked men.” The word translated as “unreasonable” is rather rare, being used just four times. It is an adjective which signifies “out of place,” and thus “warped.”

There was a specific group of people, warped in their thinking and action, and who were also wicked. Paul desired that prayer be made against them in order to hinder them from effectively stopping the swift and effective transmission of the word of the Lord. To complete his description of them, he says, “for not all have faith.” Again, there is an article in the Greek which is lacking. It says, “the faith.” People may have faith, but are misdirected in their faith. He is unconcerned with their faith, and is targeting his concerns concerning their lack of “the faith” in Christ Jesus. Their lack of this particular faith is what makes them harmful. Not only do they have faith (in something else), they use the faith they have against “the faith” which Paul proclaims.

Again, it seems certain that those of the Jewish faith are who Paul is referring to. He was one of them and their culture, and he had once worked with all of his might to destroy the faith which is found in Christ. He knew the passion these enemies of the gospel possessed, and he knew that prayer was effective in working against their success.

Life application: Paul asked for prayer. Paul wrote about his prayers. The many examples of prayer that he gives us are intended to show us that prayers are not unnecessary, and that they are effective. It may seem pointless to pray to the God who already knows all things, but it is not. We pray and He hears. A prayer which is not uttered is a prayer which will probably not be acted upon.

Lord God, help us to improve our prayer lives. Your word shows us that prayers are both expected, and that they are effective. Should we presume to know more than the word You have given us? Rather, help us to live in accord with Your word, and to be people who pray with conviction, and in hopes of a favorable response. And should the response not be favorable, help us to understand that Your wisdom is far higher than ours. In the end, we will see why all things have transpired as they have. Amen.

Friday, 13 October 2017

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 Thessalonians 3:1

Chapter 3 begins with the word, “Finally.” Though there were no chapter and verse divisions in the original books of the Bible, this is a logical place to begin the chapter. He has finished the main purpose of the book with its theological discourse on the timing of the end times. As was seen, those in Thessalonica had been disturbed by input from someone telling them that the day of the Lord had already come. Paul ensured them (and thus us!) that such was not the case, and that we could know how this was true. He gave a concise and precise detailing of the sequence of end-time events so that we wouldn’t be duped by others, and so that we wouldn’t waste our time speculating on who the Antichrist would be.

After opening the final section, he immediately again says, “brethren.” This is the fifth of seven times that he will say this in this short book. Thus, he is ensuring they don’t forget that they are “beloved by the Lord” (verse 2:13). Despite the things which may come against them and afflict them, they are united in Christ as brethren. With that understanding, he then petitions them for prayer.

As brethren, this is right for him to ask, and for them to respond. Paul was known for keeping his beloved brethren and their churches in prayer (such as in verse 1:11), and he anticipated that they would likewise be in prayer for him and those with him. And so with specificity, he names the type of prayer they seek. It is “that the word of the Lord may run swiftly.” His request is reflected in the 147^th Psalm –

“He sends out His command to the earth;
His word runs very swiftly.” Psalm 147:15

The request of Paul and his companions is that their work of spreading the word would be swift, that it would not be in any way hindered, and that it would be without any type of anxiety or stress which could slow down its progress. And in addition to this, he asks that they pray that the message conveyed will “be glorified.” This is not asking for Paul and his associates to receive distinction or honor, but that the message itself would be honored. The desire is for the exaltation of the gospel message, and thus for the honor of the Lord upon whom it is based. The thought is reflected in Acts 12 where it says that “the word of God grew and multiplied” (verse 24). This was the continued hope of Paul and his company.

Finally he notes, “just as it is with you.” If they wanted to know exactly what to pray for, all they needed to do was to look at how the word had taken hold in their own church. It had been presented, received, and brought honor to the Lord. This was the hoped-for condition of each place to be encountered by Paul’s group.

Life application: There are churches in towns and villages around the world, but there are still places where the word has not been conveyed. Churches are set groups that generally don’t go far beyond their own places of meeting. But then there are missionaries who are willing to travel extensively to share the gospel. Even though churches don’t head out from their home areas, they can, and should, support those who do. This is one of the major purposes of the church. We are to ensure that we don’t stagnate behind walls, but that we continue to refresh ourselves and the gospel through the support of missionaries.

Lord God, we who live and work in various towns and cities enjoy gathering together to worship You and hear Your word explained, but we are also grateful for those who go out into the mission field, forsaking home and comfort, in order to help others establish what we already possess. Today, we pray for those who are willing to do this, knowing that they face times of trial, difficulty, and loneliness. Be with them and guide them. May their message run swiftly, and may Your word be glorified through them. Amen.

Thursday, 12 October 2017

…comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. 2 Thessalonians 2:17

The verse here is divided in a way where it cannot be taken alone. The word “comfort” is based on Paul’s previous words – “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ, and our God and Father … comfort your hearts.” The word “comfort” here is tied into the intervening words of that same verse which said, “who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace.” There, the word “consolation” is a noun form of the closely corresponding verb “comfort” here.

As those in Thessalonica were facing trials and troubles, Paul is praying that they will be comforted by the comfort which exists in the Lord Jesus Christ, and in God the Father. He then adds in, “and establish you in every good word and work.” To be established is to be firm and fixed. It is to be unyielding when difficulties or confrontations come. The word in Greek means to stand against vacillation. And Paul applies it to “every good word and work.”

The word is the word of God, and the doctrine which flows from it. The work is applying that doctrine properly and in accord with the word. It then is a thought more fully fleshed out by Paul in Ephesians 4:13, 14 –

“…till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.”

The words of the word, combined with a right application of them, will lead to good works which are suitable and pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to God the Father. And this is exactly what is implied here in Paul’s choice of words in the Greek. The verbs are in the singular, but the corresponding pronouns are “the Lord Jesus Christ” and “God the Father” of verse 16. Both are united in the use of the singular verbs. Thus, once again, there is the implication of the divine unity between these two Persons. It is another reference to the nature of the Godhead.

Life application: These words were written to those in Thessalonica, but they are a part of the word of God. And so Paul’s words to them are still a prayer of Paul to us today. They are a hope which endures through the ages of the church age, and they are words which we can rely on in our own times of trial and trouble, knowing that eons before we existed, the faithful apostle was making this petition to God on our behalf as well.

Glorious, precious, and wonderful heavenly Father! It is good to give thanks and praise to You. You have established us, You have granted us so very much good, and You are merciful and forgiving of our failings when we submit ourselves to You through Christ our Lord. Surely we are undeserving of the least of Your favors, and yet You have lavished us with abundance. Thank You for Your kind hand upon our lives. Amen.

Wednesday, 11 October 2017

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, 2 Thessalonians 2:16

In these words, Paul presents a prayer which is connected to the exhortation he just made. He asked those in Thessalonica (and thus us!) to “stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” In response to these words, he issues a prayer to confirm this in them. In a rather unusual construction, he says, “Now may the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father…” In this, he begins with Jesus, and only then does he move to the Father. This is the opposite of 1 Thessalonians 3:11 –

“Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.”

The reason for placing the Lord Jesus first is because of words which follow, and which describe the work of the Father. However, in doing this, there is the implicit hint, as is seen so many times elsewhere, of the equality of the Persons within the Godhead. The word “and” between the two shows that they are separate and distinct (a Godhead is thus identified), and that they are equal within this Godhead. As this is a prayer made directly to Jesus, as well as to the Father, it recognizes the equality of the two.

With that understood, it says that it is God the Father “who has loved us.” God the Father is the Source of the love which is being expressed in the thought. His love for us is what then leads to Paul’s next thought, that He has “given us everlasting consolation.” These words describe a type of comfort which is enduring, and which cannot be robbed from us. No matter what happens, our comfort will endure. How untypical of all other faiths where adherents place their lost loved ones in the grave, and who then mourn their eternal loss. But this is completely untrue with the Christian faith. As Paul noted in verse 13, God chose us “for salvation in (as the Greek reads) sanctification by the Spirit.”

This is the everlasting consolation now being referred to. Those in Christ are saved, and they have been sanctified. Every terrifying thing described earlier in the chapter (and elsewhere in Scripture) concerning those who fail to come to Christ has no bearing on us. Instead, we have the everlasting consolation “and good hope by grace.” The words in Greek read “in grace.” This denotes the mode of the everlasting consolation and good hope which we have been given. Grace is the element in which it occurs and is experienced. The words here then correspond to verse 13 –

“God from the beginning chose you for salvation in sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.”

“God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope in grace.”

We are chosen for salvation in sanctification, and we are given everlasting consolation and good hope in grace. This shows us the extent of the Father’s love for us. He sent Christ Jesus to accomplish these things for us in order to reconcile us to Him, and it is this Gift of Christ Jesus which is a reflection of His unlimited grace. Praise be to God.

Life application: If you struggle with the concept of the Trinity, that’s OK. It is a difficult concept for us to grasp. Not fully understanding something, however, does not mean that we cannot accept it as true. The word of God clearly teaches this doctrine, and so we are expected to accept it by faith, even if we do not fully understand it. Have faith in God’s word, and do not let others bring you into error because they are unwilling to take God at His word.

Lord God, we may not understand everything presented in Your word, but we can still have faith that Your word is true. And this isn’t a naive trust in a dubious thing. Rather, it is trust in a word which has confirmed itself countless times. It has been proven true so many times that we would be ignorant fools to not accept the parts we don’t yet get. Our faith is grounded, and our hope is sure. We step into Your revealed light when we enter into the pages of Scripture! Amen.