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2
Thessalonians Chapter One
2 Thessalonians 1
In the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians, the apostle
corrects some errors into which these disciples had fallen with regard to the
day of the Lord through certain false teachers; as in part of the first epistle
he had enlightened the ignorance of the believers themselves respecting the
portion of the saints at the coming of Christ to take them to Himself-a point
on which they were evidently but little instructed.
A measure of Jewish darkness was on their minds; and they were, in
some points, still subjected to the influence of that unhappy nation, which was
ever struggling to maintain a position lost through its unbelief.
This Jewish influence enables us to understand why the
apostle spoke as he did in chapter 2:15, 16 of the first Epistle. At that time
this influence shewed itself in the tendency of the Thessalonians to lose sight
of the heavenly side of the Lord's coming, to think that He would return to the
earth and that they should then be glorified with Him-as a Jew might have
believed-and that the dead saints would therefore not be present to share this
glory. I do not say that this thought had assumed a definite form in the minds
of the Thessalonians. To them the principal and living object was the Lord
Himself, and they were awaiting His return with hearts full of joy and life;
but the heavenly side of this expectation had not its place clearly marked in
their minds, and they connected the coming too much with the manifestation, so
that the earthly character predominated, and the dead seemed to be shut out
from it.
When the Second Epistle was written, this Jewish
influence had another character; and the false teachers were more directly
concerned in it.
The faithful at Thessalonica had learnt to contemplate
"the day of the Lord" as a day of judgment. The Old Testament had
spoken much of this day of the Lord, a day of darkness and unparalleled
judgment, a day of trial to men. (Compare Isaiah 13, Joel 2i, Amos 5:18) Now
the Thessalonians were undergoing dreadful persecution. Perhaps their hope of
an earthly intervention of the Lord, during their lifetime, was weakened. The
apostle at least rejoiced at the increase of their faith, and the abundant
exercise of their love, while he is silent with regard to their hope; and the
joy of christian life is not found here as it was manifested in the First
Epistle. Nevertheless they were walking well, [1] in the
churches of God. But the false teachers profited by their condition to mislead
them by means of their sufferings, which weighed more heavily on their hearts
from the joy of hope being a little weakened; and at the same time the remains
of the influence of Judaising thoughts or of habits of mind formed through
them, furnished occasion to the assaults of the enemy. The instrument of the
subtle malice told them that the day of the Lord, that fearful time, was
already come-the word (chap. 2:2) is not "at hand,"but " come, [2] --and
all that the Thessalonians were suffering, and by which their hearts were
shaken, appeared like a testimony to prove it and to confirm the words of the
false teachers. Was it not written that it should be a day of trial and
anguish?
The words of these teachers, moreover, had the pretension of being
more than human reasoning; it was a word of the Lord, it was the Spirit who
spoke, it was a letter from an inspired channel: and so bold and wicked were
they in regard to this matter, that they did not fear to adduce the apostle's
own name as their authority for declaring that the day was come. Now the
dominion of fear, which Satan can exercise over the mind, when it is not kept of
God in peace and joy, is astonishing. "In nothing terrified by your
adversaries," is the apostle's word to the Philippians, "which is to
them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of
God." In such a state of mind as this everything is believed; or rather
everything is feared, and nothing is believed. The heart gives itself up to
this fear, and is ready to believe anything; for it is in darkness an knows not
what to believe. Thus the apostle exhorts the Thessalonians (chap. 2) not to be
soon shaken in mind so as to lose their stability in the truth, and not to be
troubled.
The apostle deals with the case in the same manner as in
the First Epistle. Before entering on the error he treats the same subject in
its true light, building upon the knowledge which the Thessalonians already
possessed. Only he sets it forth with clearness in its application to the
circumstances of the moment. By this means they were delivered from the
influence of the error, and from the disturbance of mind which it had caused;
and were rendered capable of looking at the error, as being themselves outside
it, and of judging it according to the instruction that the apostle gave them.
They were persecuted and were in distress and suffering,
and the enemy took advantage of it. The apostle puts that fact in its right
place. He encourages them with the thought that it was a kind of seal upon them
of their being worthy of the kingdom for which they were suffering. But more,
the "day of the Lord" was the coming of the Lord in judgment; but it
was not to make His own suffer that He was coming---it was to punish the
wicked. Persecution therefore could not be the day of the Lord; for in
persecution the wicked had the upper hand and did their own will and inflicted
suffering on those whom the Lord loved. Could that be His day! The apostle does
not apply this argument to the question, but he puts the facts in their place;
so that all the use which the enemy made of them fell of itself to the ground.
The truth of the facts was there in its simplicity, giving them their evident
and natural character. When God should take the thing in hand, He would
recompense tribulation to those who troubled His children, and these should
have rest-should be in peace. The moment of their entering into this rest is
not at all the subject here, but the contrast between their actual condition
and that which it would be if Jesus were come. It was not to persecute and
harass His own that He was coming. In His day they should be at rest, and the
wicked in distress; for He was coming to punish the latter by driving them away
for ever from the glory of His presence. When we understand that the
Thessalonians had been induced to believe that the day of the Lord was already
come, the import of this first chapter is very plain.
Two principles are here established. First, the righteous
judgment of God: it is righteous in His eyes, on the one hand, to reward those
who suffer for His kingdom's sake: and, on the other, to requite those who
persecute His children. In the second place, the glorious manifestation of the
Lord Jesus: His own should be in rest and happiness with Him, when His power
should be in exercise.
We see also here two reasons for judgment-they did not
know God, and they did not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. All being
without excuse as to the testimony that God had ever given concerning Himself,
some among them had added the rejection of the positive revelation of His grace
in the gospel of Christ to their abuse of their natural relationship with God
and their forgetfulness of His majesty.
Meanwhile the apostle presents the positive result in
blessing of the manifestation of Jesus in glory. He will come to be glorified
in His saints, and to be admired in all them that have believed in Him, and
therefore in the Thessalonians: a thorough proof, at least that they were not
to view their persecuted condition as a demonstration that the day was come.
With regard to themselves, they werethus entirely delivered from the confusion
by which the enemy sought to disquiet them; and the apostle could treat the
question of this error with hearts which, as to their own condition, were set
free from it and at rest.
These considerations characterised his prayers on their
behalf. He sought from God that they might always be worthy of this vocation,
and that the Lord might be glorified in them by the power of faith, which would
shine the brighter through their persecutions; and that afterwards they might
be glorified in Him at the manifestation of His glory according to the grace of
God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now that the apostle has placed their souls on the ground
of truth, he enters upon the subject of the error, shewing that which had
occasioned his remarks. Of this we have already spoken.
[1] In
the First Epistle he says he needed not to speak of them, seeing that the world
itself recounted everywhere the principles by which they were governed. We
shall see a similar difference all through. It is no longer the same fresh
energy of life.
[2] See
Romans 8:38;1 Corinthians 3:22; where it (enistemi) is translated
"present," in contrast with " things to come."
── John Darby《Synopsis of 2 Thessalonians》
2 Thessalonians 1
Chapter Contents
The apostle blesses God for the growing state of the love
and patience of the Thessalonians. (1-4) And encourages them to persevere under
all their sufferings for Christ, considering his coming at the great day of
account. (5-12)
Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4
(Read 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4)
Where there is the truth of grace, there will be an
increase of it. The path of the just is as the shining light, which shines more
and more unto the perfect day. And where there is the increase of grace, God
must have all the glory. Where faith grows, love will abound, for faith works
by love. It shows faith and patience, such as may be proposed as a pattern for
others, when trials from God, and persecutions from men, quicken the exercise
of those graces; for the patience and faith of which the apostle gloried, bore
them up, and enabled them to endure all their tribulations.
Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
(Read 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)
Religion, if worth anything, is worth every thing; and
those have no religion, or none worth having, or know not how to value it,
cannot find their hearts to suffer for it. We cannot by all our sufferings, any
more than by our services, merit heaven; but by our patience under sufferings,
we are prepared for the promised joy. Nothing more strongly marks a man for
eternal ruin, than a spirit of persecution and enmity to the name and people of
God. God will trouble those that trouble his people. And there is a rest for
the people of God; a rest from sin and sorrow. The certainty of future
recompence is proved by the righteousness of God. The thoughts of this should
be terrible to wicked men, and support the righteous. Faith, looking to the
great day, is enabled partly to understand the book of providence, which appears
confused to unbelievers. The Lord Jesus will in that day appear from heaven. He
will come in the glory and power of the upper world. His light will be
piercing, and his power consuming, to all who in that day shall be found as
chaff. This appearance will be terrible to those that know not God, especially
to those who rebel against revelation, and obey not the gospel of our Lord
Jesus Christ. This is the great crime of multitudes, the gospel is revealed,
and they will not believe it; or if they pretend to believe, they will not obey
it. Believing the truths of the gospel, is in order to our obeying the precepts
of the gospel. Though sinners may be long spared, they will be punished at
last. They did sin's work, and must receive sin's wages. Here God punishes
sinners by creatures as instruments; but then, it will be destruction from the
Almighty; and who knows the power of his anger? It will be a joyful day to
some, to the saints, to those who believe and obey the gospel. In that bright
and blessed day, Christ Jesus will be glorified and admired by his saints. And
Christ will be glorified and admired in them. His grace and power will be
shown, when it shall appear what he has purchased for, and wrought in, and
bestowed upon those who believe in him. Lord, if the glory put upon thy saints
shall be thus admired, how much more shalt thou be admired, as the Bestower of
that glory! The glory of thy justice in the damnation of the wicked will be
admired, but not as the glory of thy mercy in the salvation of believers. How
will this strike the adoring angels with holy admiration, and transport thy
admiring saints with eternal rapture! The meanest believer shall enjoy more
than the most enlarged heart can imagine while we are here; Christ will be
admired in all those that believe, the meanest believer not excepted.
Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 1:11,12
(Read 2 Thessalonians 1:11,12)
Believing thoughts and expectations of the second coming
of Christ should lead us to pray to God more, for ourselves and others. If
there is any good in us, it is owing to the good pleasure of his goodness, and
therefore it is called grace. There are many purposes of grace and good-will in
God toward his people, and the apostle prays that God would complete in them
the work of faith with power. This is to their doing every other good work. The
power of God not only begins, but carries on the work of faith. And this is the
great end and design of the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ, which is
made known to us, and wrought in us.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 2
Thessalonians》
2 Thessalonians 1
Verse 3
[3] We
are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that
your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward
each other aboundeth;
It is highly observable, that the apostle
wraps up his praise of men in praise to God; giving him the glory.
Your faith groweth —
Probably he had heard from them since his sending the former letter.
Aboundeth —
Like water that overflows its banks, and yet increaseth still.
Verse 4
[4] So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience
and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
Which ye endure —
"That ye may be accounted worthy of the kingdom."
Verse 5
[5]
Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be
counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
A manifest token —
This is treated of in the sixth 2 Thessalonians 1:6 and following verses.
Verse 6
[6]
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that
trouble you;
It is a righteous thing with God — (However men may judge) to transfer the pressure from you to them. And
it is remarkable that about this time, at the passover, the Jews raising a
tumult, a great number (some say thirty thousand) of them were slain. St. Paul
seems to allude to this beginning of sorrows, 1 Thessalonians 2:16, which did not end but with
their destruction.
Verse 8
[8] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey
not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Taking vengeance — Does
God barely permit this, or (as "the Lord" once "rained brimstone
and fire from the Lord out of heaven," Genesis 19:24) does a fiery stream go forth from
him for ever? Who know not God - (The root of all wickedness and misery) who
remain in heathen ignorance.
And who obey not —
This refers chiefly to the Jews, who had heard the gospel.
Verse 9
[9] Who
shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord,
and from the glory of his power;
From the glory of his power — Tremble, ye stout-hearted.
Everlasting destruction — As there can be no end of their sins, (the same enmity against God
continuing,) so neither of their punishment; sin and its punishment running parallel
throughout eternity itself. They must of necessity, therefore, be cut off from
all good, and all possibility of it.
From the presence of the Lord — Wherein chiefly consists the salvation of the righteous. What
unspeakable punishment is implied even in falling short of this, supposing that
nothing more were implied in his taking vengeance!
Verse 10
[10] When
he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that
believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
To be glorified in his saints — For the wonderful glory of Christ shall shine in them.
Verse 11
[11]
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of
this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of
faith with power:
All the good pleasure of his goodness — Which is no less than perfect holiness.
Verse 12
[12] That
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him,
according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
That the name —
The love and power of our Lord may be glorified - Gloriously displayed in you.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on 2 Thessalonians》
Chapter 1. The Comfort of Coming Again
Suffer for the
Kingdom of God
Get Relief Together
I. Thank God
for Believers
II. Present
Suffering
III. Future
Glory
── Chih-Hsin
Chang《An Outline of
The New Testament》
Chapter One General Review
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To note the virtues that demonstrated the spiritual growth and development of the church at Thessalonica 2) To glean what will happen when Christ comes again, and upon whom His vengeance will fall SUMMARY
As in the first epistle, Paul is joined by Silvanus and Timothy as heextends a salutation to the church of the Thessalonians, along with a petition for grace and peace in their behalf (1-2). He makes mention of his obligation to always thank God for the growthof their faith and the way their love abounded towards one another. Heis so impressed that he has boasted to other churches of their patienceand faith in the midst of persecutions and tribulations (3-4). Paul then offers encouragement in their persecutions by reminding themof the righteous judgment of God. Because of their suffering, which made them worthy of the kingdom of God tribulation upon those who trouble them, and to give them rest along with Paul and others. This will happen when Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, when in flaming fire He will take vengeance on those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. While these are punished with everlasting destructionfrom the presence of the Lord, Christ Himself will be glorified in thatDay and admired by all those who believe (5-10). This leads to his prayer concerning them. His desire is that God wouldcount them worthy of His calling, fulfill His good pleasure and the work of faith with power, and that the name of the Lord might be glorified in them, and they in Him, in keeping with the grace of Godand the Lord Jesus Christ (11-12). OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION (1-2)
A. SALUTATION (1a ) 1. From Paul 2. Also Silvanus and Timothy B. GREETINGS (1b-2) 1. To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1b) 2. Grace and peace from God and Jesus (2) II. ENCOURAGEMENT IN PERSECUTIONS (3-12)
A. THANKFUL FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL GROWTH (3-4) 1. Such thanksgiving is fitting in view of: a. Their faith growing exceedingly (3a ) b. Their love abounding toward each other (3b) 2. Paul and his companions even boast of them among the churches of God (4a ) a. For their patience and faith (4b) b. In all their persecutions and tribulations they endured (4c ) B. ENCOURAGEMENT IN TRIAL IN VIEW OF CHRIST'S RETURN (5-10) 1. Their persecutions are evidence of God's righteous judgment to come (5-7a ) a. In which they shall be counted worthy of the kingdom of God (5) b. In which God will repay with tribulation those who trouble them (6) c. In which they will receive rest (7a ) 2. Such judgment will occur when Jesus is revealed from heaven (7b-9) a. With His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance (7b-8a ) 1) On those who do not know God (8b) 2) On those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (8c ) b. Punishing such with everlasting destruction (9a ) 1) From the presence of the Lord (9b) 2) From the glory of His power (9c ) 3. Jesus will come in that Day... (10a ) a. To be glorified in His saints (10b) b. To be admired among all those who believe (10c ) -- Because Paul's testimony among them was believed (10d) C. HIS PRAYER FOR THEM (11-12) 1. That God would... a. Count them worthy of His calling (11a ) b. Fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power (11b) 2. That according to the grace of God and the Lord Jesus Christ... a. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in them (12a ) b. And they may be glorified in Him (12b) REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Introduction (1-2) - Encouragement in persecutions (3-12) 2) Who joins Paul in sending this letter? (1)
- Silvanus and Timothy 3) How does Paul identify the church? (1)
- The church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ 4) What two reasons does Paul give for why he thanks God always forthem? (3)
- Because their faith grows exceedingly - Because their love abounds toward each other 5) What did Paul boast among the churches of God in regards to theThessalonians? (4)
- Of their patience and faith in all the persecutions and tribulations they endured 6) What was one consequence of their suffering? (5)
- That they may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God 7) What does God consider it a righteous thing to do? (6)
- To repay with tribulation those who trouble them 8) What will those who are troubled receive when the Lord is revealedfrom heaven? (7)
- Rest with Paul and others 9) Who will accompany Jesus when He is revealed from heaven? (7)
- His mighty angels 10) Upon whom will Jesus take vengeance in flaming fire? (8)
- Those who do not know God - Those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 11) How will they be punished? (9)
- With everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power 12) What two things will happen to Jesus when He comes? (10)
- He will be glorified in His saints - He will be admired among all those who believe 13) What five things does Paul pray for in behalf of the Thessalonians?(11-12)
- That God would count them worthy of His calling - That God would fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness - That God would fulfill the work of faith with power - That the name of Jesus Christ may be glorified in them - That they may be glorified in Him
－－《Executable
Outlines》
The comfort
of coming again
Suffer for the
Get relief together
I.
Thank God for believers
1.
Growing faith
2.
Increasing love
3.
Enduring trials
II.Present suffering
1.
Bless the sufferer
2.
Repay the misery-giver
3.
Judge and set apart
III.
Future glory
1.
Worthy of His calling
2.
Act by faith
3.
Blessed hope
－－ Chih-Hsin
Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》