Chuck Smith :: Study Guide for 2 Thessalonians

2 THESSALONIANS 1: THE PERSECUTION

v.1 Silvanus here again is Silas. "Church" comes from a Greek word meaning "the called-out ones".

v.3 "Meet" here means "proper." Faith is increased through the knowledge of God, which comes through the study of His Word. Our spiritual growth is dependent on our study of the Bible.

v.4 The church was being persecuted, probably by the Judaizing teachers who had troubled the other young churches.

v.5 The Thessalonians were being troubled by man, not by God. God's wrath will be poured out on the world that has rejected His Son, not on His Church. God uses our sufferings to mature us (Romans 8:17-18; 1 Peter 4:12; 2 Timothy).

v.7-9 The punishment of those who don't know God will be banishment from both His presence and the glory of His power.

v.11 Paul prayed for the Thessalonians, that:

1. God would count them worthy of their calling (Luke 21:36).

2. God would bless them as He wanted to bless them.

3. The name of Jesus would be glorified through the witness of their transformed lives.

2 THESSALONIANS 2: THE DAY OF JUDGMENT

v.1 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

v.2 Paul told the Thessalonians not to be troubled in mind or spirit, nor by a letter supposedly from him claiming that the day of the Lord had come. The Christians were being taught that the day of God's wrath was upon them, and that they were in the Tribulation period.

v.3 The "day" referred to here is the Day of Judgment. "Falling away" comes from the Greek word for "depart." This may refer to the Rapture of the Church, for the Day of Judgment will come after the Rapture. It may be a reference to people departing from the faith, for Paul spoke of another departure (1 Timothy 4:1) and used the same Greek word. However, in 1 Timothy Paul added the words "depart from the faith" instead of "depart" alone.

v.4 The Day of Judgment won't come until the Antichrist has set himself upon a throne in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem (Matthew 24:15-20; Revelation 13:14; Isaiah 16).

v.7 "Letteth" means "hinders." The Holy Spirit in the believers is hindering the Antichrist from revealing himself. Once the Holy Spirit's restraining power through the Church is removed, the Antichrist will make his move.

v.8 "Wicked" means "lawless."

v.13 Acts 13:48.

v.15 The traditions Paul wanted the Thessalonians to adhere to were the teachings he gave them in person and by letter.

2 THESSALONIANS 3: EXHORTATIONS

v.1-2 Paul asked the Thessalonians to pray:

1. that the Word of God would flow freely through Him, and

2. that God would deliver him from unreasonable men.

v.6-12 Some of the brethren in the church weren't working to support themselves. Paul used himself as an example, for when he was in Thessalonica he paid his own expenses by working.

v.17 Paul brought attention to his signature, so they'd be able to identify his epistles and not be misled by false letters.