2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

God will…

“He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” 2 Thessalonians 1:8

Context

Paul, with Silas and Timothy, came to Thessalonica on his second missionary journey which we read in Acts 17 (mostly verses 1-10). Although it appears he was only in Thessalonica for a few weeks, there is reason to believe that he spent more time there than is implied. He describes in 1 Thessalonians 2:9 that he had worked among them and so was there long enough to establish himself in his trade.  Also Philippians 4:15 mentions financial support being sent more than once to him while in Thessalonica. Perhaps he returned on another occasion or perhaps the account in Acts 17 is somewhat truncated. Either way, Paul had quite an impact on the church and the church had an impact on him. The persecution he received from the citizens, including the Jews of this town, was impressive and forms the backdrop to the first chapter of this letter.

Observation

Structure

  • 1-2 Initial Greetings
  • 3-4 The cause for Paul’s prayer
  • 5-10 Paul’s encouragement to stay faithful
  • 11-12 The content of Paul’s prayer

1-2 Initial Greetings

“Paul, Silas and Timothy” Paul authored the letter in the company of Silas and Timothy whom the Thessalonian believers would remember as part of Paul’s ‘company’ in Acts 17. Paul may have used a scribe to pen the letter but he at least concludes it in his own hand (2 Thessalonians 3:17).

“…in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” This is the distinguishing feature of the church – that the assembly (church) in Thessalonians meet to worship God the Father and Jesus Christ their Lord.

“Grace and peace to you…” much of these opening verses are standard greetings in Paul’s letters. The starting point in any Christian communication is that we have grace and peace with God and one another. We are not a people trying to find or fight for peace but those who have been gifted it from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Peace with God has been paid for through Christ and peace with one another has been gifted to us because we have one Lord, one Master, one Saviour, one Judge.

The Thessalonians know who has sent the letter, that it comes in peace and are reminded of their connection to the author by faith in the same Lord and God.

3-4 The Cause For Paul’s Prayer

Note: verses 3-10 are all one sentence in the original Greek. That is not weird but rather helps us to see Paul’s flow of these two apparent sections into one thought flow. That is, he begins to praise them for their growth despite persecution (v3-4) and before concluding what he prays in verses 11-12 he exhorts them to remain faithful because they know the future.

“We ought always to thank God for you…” The interesting word in this phrase is the word ‘ought’. Paul feels obligated or compelled to thank God. It is only right and correct to be thanking God for what Paul has observed.

“…your faith is growing more and more…” The first reason for Paul’s obligation to thank God is that the Christians in Thessalonica are growing in their faith. Put this another way: their trust in God and his promises is getting stronger. Verses 5-10 will show us that it is the promises of God that they are showing trust or faith in. When persecution comes and faith is evident, that is the work of God, not man.

“…and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.” The second reason for Paul’s obligation to thank God is that the church is growing in their love for each other. Again, under persecution, the church will exercise love by the grace of God.

So, trusting God more instead of fleeing and loving one another more instead of abandoning their church are two signs that Paul diagnoses as the work of God.

“Therefore, among God’s churches we boast…” The reports from Thessalonica need to be shared with the churches of God for the encouragement of the hearer, for examples to the hearer and to spur the hearer on to praise God for the church growing despite strong opposition.

“…in all the persecution and trials you are enduring.” Thessalonica, like many other cities of the time, viewed religion as a primary source of unification. One way to establish peace and unity is to enforce one political religion. This may be the background to persecution referenced here. Background historical data can be useful but a simple reading of Acts 17:1-10 (and 11-15) gives enough information to know that the persecution was violent and life threatening.

5-10 Paul’s Encouragement to Stay Faithful

“All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right…” We come to a real test of our understanding in this passage. What does ‘all this’ refer to? Is it the faith and love of the Thessalonians? Is it the persecution of the Thessalonians? Or is it the faith and love despite the persecution? How is the growing faithfulness and increase in love of the Thessalonian church evidence that God’s judgment is right? Philippians 1:27-30 may shed some light on this, especially verse 28.

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

The word “sign” in Phil 1:28 is the same root word for ‘evidence’ in 2 Thess 1:5. The sign is that God is preserving the faith of them through persecution and this shows God’s alignment with the persecuted rather than the persecutors. The former will be saved in the end while the latter will be destroyed.

An alternate view is that the evidence that God’s judgment is right (or God’s righteous judgment) is the persecution and affliction that the Thessalonians experienced. This interpretation goes something like this: look at the way people are treating you – this is evidence that justice must come. This is the view that I am holding and it is based on the outflowing of the rest of the paragraph (verses 5-10). Let’s keep reading.

“…worthy of the kingdom of God…” this is not a celebration of works based religion but rather that the way the Thessalonians are responding to persecution is exactly how a kingdom kid would respond.

V6 “God is just: He will…” Paul merges now into a monologue about the future day of the Lord. This is the theme of chapter 2 and is introduced here in the opening stage of the letter.

“…pay back trouble…and give relief…” The future includes a judgment toward men based on what they have done. Trouble will come to those who are against the church of God and relief will come to those who have suffered for the kingdom of God. Ultimately, as spelled out in verse 8, this boils down to those who are for Jesus and those who are against.

“When the Lord Jesus is revealed…” The judgment will come when all is wrapped up on the final day of the Lord. We will discuss some of the controversies about the end of time when we come to chapter 2. The Lord’s coming is briefly described in mighty imagery: blazing fire and powerful angels. Paul will want to reassure his readers in chapter 2 that this has not happened yet and here he indicates quickly that it will not be a show people will miss. The immediate context is contrasting the trouble for those who don’t know God with the relief for those who do.

  • The Trouble: everlasting destruction; shut out from the presence of the Lord and his glory.
  • The Relief: brought to the presence of the Lord and his glory; holy; marveling at Him.

This section may be made clearer if read in reverse (sentence by sentence). The bullet points would look like this:

  • You Thessalonians believed our testimony to you (of God, Jesus and the gospel)
  • On the Day of the Lord you will marvel in his glorious presence because of your belief.
  • Others will be punished and excluded from God’s presence.
  • They will be punished because they neither know God nor obey (believe) the gospel.
  • This will happen when the Lord Jesus is made known (with heavenly fire and angels).
  • God is just and will pay back trouble for trouble and relief to the troubled.
  • You will be counted worthy because of your suffering for the kingdom.
  • You know that God’s judgment is right since you have endured such trouble.

Thus, the evidence in verse 5 refers to the trouble caused on the Thessalonians bearing testimony for God to judge and judge rightly. The encouragement is that the Thessalonians must keep enduring because they have believed Paul’s testimony and ought to recall the coming of the Lord. This persecution fits perfectly with the message of the gospel and is a sign that the gospel is true.

11-12 The Content of Paul’s Prayer

“With this in mind…” The present suffering from trouble makers is again in mind. Paul’s prayer will focus on the work of God to continue in the Thessalonians despite opposition.

“…we constantly pray for you…” Or ‘we always pray for you.’ It was routine for Paul to pray for his converts (Phil 1:9 and Col 1:3,9). Prayer for the body of Christ ought to be a major focus of our prayers. God does not promise to heal sickness or stop death or keep people safe in travel or to do well in exams but he does promise that he will complete the good work that he has started in a believer. Prayer, if nothing else, is the practice of those who believe God will fulfil his promises.

“…worthy of his calling…” This reflects the language of verse 5 and may be requesting that the church will continue to persevere and grow in faith as in verse 4.

“…he may bring to fruition…” God is asked in prayer to support the efforts of the church for good. No specifics are mentioned here – the prayer is far reaching and based on the desire of the Thessalonians for good. This may be answered in this life but is promised to be fulfilled on the Day of the Lord. This may be a request in line with the church to grow in faith – desiring the goodness of God.

“…every deed prompted by faith…” This may correspond to the love described in the church for one another. Both the growth in faith and the love for one another praised in verse 3 is the subject of Paul’s prayer in verse 11.

“…the name of our Lord Jesus…” lest we forget, the testimony believed (v10) and the gospel obeyed (v8) and the future of the church (v10) is all for the glory of the Lord Jesus.

Meaning

There is a clear and present danger that Christians may take their eyes off our future hope and relief and be overcome by the suffering of persecution. By the grace of God we pray that the church will live lives worthy of the gospel, knowing that today’s trouble reminds us of future judgment and stirs us to desire God now. God will bring disaster on trouble makers and bring eternal peace and glory to those who stand firm with Him now.

Application

  • Topic A: Prayer for the church. Take time to discuss prayer in your group. Think about the ease or awkwardness you experience together. Think also about the content of your prayers. How could you continue to grow in faith and love together through the things that you pray for and how you pray? Are your prayers gospel focused?
  • Topic B: Persecution and trials. There is no doubt that heavy persecution occurs around the world today against Christians. In Australia, physical persecution is not common. We can even enjoy great friendships with unbelievers in this country. Resistance is present though and our faith can be tested here too. Discuss ways you feel being Christian can be counter cultural to the point of discomfort or worse. How can you turn those feelings into hope for the future? How can or do you respond to such trials?
  • Topic C: Desiring to be in the presence of the Lord. The ultimate future described in 2 Thessalonians 1 is that we will stand amazed in the presence of the Lord. Share how this is or isn’t a compelling future for you. What can we do to set our hearts in this direction? Perhaps praying through verse 11 and 12 will be part of the answer.

Prayer of the Week

Heavenly Father and Jesus our Lord, thank you for calling us into your holy church. Please make us worthy of this calling. May our hearts desire goodness and may you bring those desires to fruition. May our actions be prompted by faith in you and not fear of man. We pray this so that Your name may be glorified in us and that we may be glorified in You. We pray all of this according to your grace our God and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.