2Thessalonians 1
1. Who was Silas? Answer
2. When did the Apostle Paul visit Thessalonica? Answer
3. What was the catalyst of the persecutions and tribulations suffered by those in Thessalonica (verse 4)? Answer
4. What does verse 5 reveal about God's will? Answer
5. What is the point being made in verses 6 to 9? Answer
6. What is verse 10 referencing? Answer
2Thessalonians 2
7. What is Paul warning about in verse 2? Answer
8. How does Paul reassure those in Thessalonica that the Lord's return is not imminent? Answer
9. What is the meaning of verse 4? Answer
10. Why does God allow people to be deceived (verses 10 - 12)? Answer
11. What is verse 15 referencing? Answer
2Thessalonians 3
12. Why did Paul ask for prayers (verses 1 - 2)? Answer
13. What behavior is Paul addressing in verses 6 to 11? Answer
14. What likely led to the behavior in Thessalonica that Paul needed to correct? Answer
15. What is the meaning of verse 9? Answer
16. How were Christians in Thessalonica to treat those who, after being warned (verse 10), still refused to work for a living? Answer
17. What is wrong with the subscription found at the end of this letter to the Thessalonians? Answer
2Thessalonians 1 Answers
1. Silas was a Jewish convert to Christianity who was considered a prophet (Acts 15:32). He first appears living in Jerusalem during the time of the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15). He was specially selected by the conference to accompany Paul and Barnabas back to Syrian Antioch with the decision it reached (verses 22 to 40).
[What Was the Jerusalem Conference?]
[Paul's Second Missionary Journey Map]
Silas (Silvanus), from Syrian Antioch, then accompanies Paul on his second missionary journey after the apostle has his split with Barnabas (Acts 15:35 - 40). Both he and Paul are arrested, beaten, and thrown in jail in Philippi. They are then miraculously freed by a great earthquake (Acts 16:19 - 33).
Silas and Paul then visit Thessalonica and Berea (17:4, 10). After briefly meeting with the apostle in Athens (Acts 17:15) Silas goes back to Macedonia. Both he and Timothy soon meet up with Paul during his extended stay in Corinth (18:1, 2Corinthians 1:19).
Silas is not mentioned again in the New Testament until 1Peter 5:12 where he is credited with transcribing Peter's epistle and delivering it.
2. Paul first visited Thessalonica during his second missionary journey when Silas accompanied him to the city. His evangelistic efforts were the catalyst that helped form a group of Christian believers, made up mostly of god-fearing Gentiles, in the city (Acts 17:4).
Apostle Paul then revisited Thessalonica twice during his third missionary journey which ran from 53 to 58 A.D. His first visit was on his way to Corinth (Acts 20:1 - 2) and the second was when he was traveling back through Macedonia (20:3) in order to reach Troas and eventually make his way to Jerusalem.
[Earthquakes in the New Testament!]
[Paul's Third Missionary Journey Map]
3. The trials and persecutions suffered by the church in Thessalonica were instigated by the same ones that initially caused Paul and Silas trouble.
Paul and Silas, when they visited Thessalonica for the first time, preached in the local synagogue (Acts 17:1 - 2). Their preaching convinced many of the god-fearing Greeks (Gentiles), including many wives of prominent men, to believe in the gospel. The Jews, however, became envious of the gospel's success. They stirred up the city into a mob and then attempted to violently force Jason (where Paul and Silas were staying) to surrender the pair to the crowd.
But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them (Paul and Silas) out to the people (Acts 17:5, KJV throughout).
Not content with forcing Paul and Silas out of the city, the zealous Jews of Thessalonica traveled to Berea to continue to cause them trouble (Acts 17:13 - 14).
Such organized and intense Jewish-led resistance to Christians in Thessalonica continued after the two evangelists left the city.
4. 2Thessalonians 1:4 mentions the faith and patience of the church in the midst of persecution. Verse 5 then states the following.
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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 (2Thessalonians 1:5).
Paul reveals that God knowingly allows trials, troubles and even persecutions to come upon those in Thessalonica in order to create the righteous character required to fully appreciate eternal life. Such trials also serve the purpose of not only glorifying God but also having believers glorified in him (2Thessalonians 1:12).
5. The point of 2Thessalonians 1:6 - 9 is that God will someday punish those who unjustly persecuted Christians. He will also penalize sinners in general including those who refuse to acknowledge God's existence (see Romans 1:18 - 21) or who know he exists but refuse to obey him like unbelieving Jews.
The Lord will make sure that no one, be they a spirit or a human, will ever ultimately "get away with" or escape accountability for their sins.
6. 1Thessalonians 1:10 is referencing the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It is the time when the Lord will punish those mentioned in verses 6 to 9. It is also the time he will be glorified in his saints as he will resurrect them from the dead and bring them with him when he returns to the earth.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war . . .
And the armies which were in heaven (not only righteous angels but also resurrected saints, see Revelation 17:14) followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God (Revelation 19:11, 14 - 15).
2Thessalonians 2 Answers
7. The Apostle Paul is warning the church at Thessalonica not to be alarmed by anyone or anything proclaiming that Jesus' return was imminent.
Paul's reference to letters sent to Thessalonica "as from us" reveals that even at this early date of Christian history (51 A.D.), counterfeit epistles pretending to be from some well-known preacher (e.g. Paul) were being created and distributed!
[Should Book of Enoch be in Bible?]
Most, if not all, of Paul's letters were dictated to someone else to write down (e.g. Romans 16:22). Part of Paul's solution to combating forged letters, which he implemented in his epistles, was to write its closing in his own hand.
The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write (2Thessalonians 3:17, see also Galatians 6:11).
8. Paul specifies a few (but by no means all!) events for the Thessalonica church that must take place before Jesus' Second Coming.
Paul first reveals that a great apostasy must happen in the church. Many, in the end time, who consider themselves Christians will abandon their beliefs in order to avoid the coming persecution against believers.
Next the "man of sin," also called the "son of perdition" (2Thessalonians 2:3), the "mystery of iniquity" (verse 7) and "that Wicked" (verses 8) will be openly revealed to the world. These are some of the several names and titles the Bible gives Satan the devil.
In the time before the Lord returns, both the Beast and the False Prophet will carry out their work of deceiving humans and ruling the earth under the direct inspiration of the Devil (Revelation 13:3 - 15). They will be able to deceive the world through the many signs and lying wonders they will perform (2Thessalonians 2:9).
[Names of the Devil in Scripture]
There are, of course, many other prophetic events other than listed for the Thessalonica church that must take place before Jesus returns to earth (see Matthew 24, Revelation 11, etc.).
9. Lucifer, when he was created, was given an unmatched combination of spiritual gifts and abilities (Ezekiel 28:12 - 15). Over time he even received a throne of responsibility to oversee one-third of all angels (Isaiah 14:13, Revelation 12:4).
Lucifer, however, began to believe that his looks, along with his wisdom and other traits, made him better than everyone including God (Ezekiel 28:17). His vanity soon led to lusting after the one thing he thought he had to have - the worship of other beings (Isaiah 14:13)! His selfish desire led to turning himself into Satan.
The devil has always sought to be worshipped as a god. His pursuit of worship is so great that he offered rulership of the earth to Jesus if only he would bow down and worship him (Matthew 4:8 - 9).
Paul reveals to those in Thessalonica that Satan's goal of being worshipped must be fully manifested to the world before the Lord returns. The devil will show he "deserves" worship by displaying his power in what will likely be a temple or tabernacle constructed in Jerusalem.
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God (2Thessalonians 2:4).
10. Countless people in the end time will reject God and what the Bible teaches. They will, instead, follow and worship the Beast. Since their choices have destined them to die (2Thessalonians 2:10), they will be allowed to fully pursue the deceptions they have chosen (verses 11 - 12) along with receiving the severe consequences that come with them (see Romans 1:18 - 28).
Many humans will be allowed to suffer greatly in the end time in the hope it will soften their uniquely hard hearts (Revelation 9:6) against the true God. Sadly, many will refuse to repent even after several warnings (Revelation 14: 6 - 7) and suffering the wrath of God (Revelation 9:20 - 21).
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11. Paul encourages those in Thessalonica to have faith and firmly hold onto the truth they have been taught.
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle (2Thessalonians 2:15).
The traditions those in Thessalonica are encouraged to hold are the same as "the faith once delivered" Jude admonished his readers to pursue (Jude 1:11). This faith is the set of teachings first given to the early New Testament church through the twelve apostles and later through the Apostle Paul.
2Thessalonians 3 Answers
12. Paul asks the Thessalonica church for prayers regarding the spreading of the gospel and that he be, "delivered from unreasonable and wicked men" (2Thessalonians 3:1 - 2).
Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica while he was in Corinth. As in most places he evangelized, while some in the city believed the gospel, others (usually the Jews) were zealously against it. God, who knew the resistance Paul faced, felt it necessary to give him an encouraging vision to allay his fears.
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Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city (Acts 18:9 - 10).
Those who opposed the gospel were a real danger to Paul during his entire ministry (see 2Corinthians 11:23 - 25).
13. Paul's first letter to Thessalonica admonished them to, "warn them that are unruly (disorderly or idle)" (1Thessalonians 5:14, see also 4:11 - 12). This advice was apparently not heeded, prompting the apostle to make a firmer warning in this letter appealing to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (2Thessalonians 2:6).
The problem was there were some in the Thessalonica church who could work to earn a living but decided not to do so. Their idleness then led to them becoming busybodies and gossipers, all the while expecting others to provide for their daily needs! This was contrary to Paul's example when he was them, working with his own hands to help provide for the necessities of life (2Thessalonians 3:7 - 8).
14. Paul spent several verses in his first letter to Thessalonica discussing the hope of the resurrection.
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For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that WE which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep . . .
Then WE which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall WE ever be with the Lord (1Thessalonians 4:14 - 15, 17, emphasis added).
Paul's above teaching about the resurrection left the distinct impression that the Lord's return would take place within the lives of his readers. Some of those in Thessalonica, anticipating the Lord's imminent return, decided to stop working since they would soon be in God's kingdom.
The apostle corrected the misunderstanding that Christ would soon return by spelling out some of the events to precede his Second Coming that had yet happened (2Thessalonians 2:1 - 12).
Jesus also made it plain that he fully expected faithful Christians to be working all the time, no matter when his return took place!
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing (Matthew 24:44 - 46).
15. The Apostle Paul, like others called of God who had dedicated themselves to preaching the gospel, had the right to be financially supported by those they served. He stressed this point, using two Biblical quotes, to his friend and fellow evangelist Timothy.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn (Deuteronomy 25:4). And, The laborer is worthy of his reward (Luke 10:7) (1Timothy 5:17 - 18).
Paul, in Thessalonica, decided not to exercise his right to be supported so that he might be an example of hard work (2Thessalonians 3:9). This, then, led him to stress that those who can work, but refused to do so, should not be supported by others in the church.
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat (2Thessalonians 3:10).
Christians ought to work, if at all possible, to support themselves (2Thessalonians 3:12).
16. Paul states that those who failed to repent of being idle and busybodies in Thessalonica should be noted by each church member. Each member is then called upon to withdraw themselves from these individuals. Brethren, however, were not to cut off all interactions with such people as they still needed to admonish them.
And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother (2Thessalonians 3:14 - 15).
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It is important to note that Paul is NOT calling for the disobedient members to be publicly identified and shamed, treated as enemies, or cast out of the church. He is also not commanding Thessalonica's church leaders to exercise "authority" over the brethren and solve the problem for them. Each believer is called upon to live up to their responsibility as a Christian!
17. 2Thessalonians 3:18, in the King James and many other Bibles, reads as follows.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens (2Thessalonians 3:18, KJV).
Paul, however, did not compose either the first or second letter he wrote to Thessalonica from Athens. The subscription found in the book's last verse was a later erroneous addition to the Greek text.
Paul traveled to Athens from Berea by himself, leaving behind Silas and Timothy (Acts 17:14 - 16). Once in the city he requested the two men come to him which, when they arrived, he sent Timothy back to check on the church at Thessalonica (1Thessalonians 3:1 - 2) with Silas likely going back to Macedonia.
Paul almost always dictated his letters to other people. The apostle's short stay in Athens, coupled with being alone the majority of the time, meant he could not have composed the epistle in the city. Paul, Silas and Timothy meet up again in Corinth (Acts 18:5) from which the apostle wrote his two letters to the church in Thessalonica (1Thessalonians 1:1, 2Thessalonians 1:1).
Amazing Facts About 2Thessalonians