ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 2 Thessalonians 2

2:1–17 Disproving the False Claim about the Day of the Lord. Paul reassures the Thessalonians that the day of the Lord has not come. In 1 Thess. 5:1–11 he responded to a question from the community about the timing of the day of the Lord. He has now heard that some of them have believed the false idea that the day of the Lord has already arrived (2 Thess. 2:1–2). Paul states that before that day comes, a final rebellion and the appearance of the “man of lawlessness” must occur (vv. 3–12). Then he reassures the Thessalonians that they are destined for glory (vv. 13–14). Finally, he calls on them to hold firmly to the traditions he passed on to them (v. 15). He concludes with prayer (vv. 16–17).

2:2 The Thessalonians were shaken and alarmed by the false claim that the day of the Lord had already come. Paul did not know the source of the confusion, but he suggests a number of possibilities: a spirit. An alleged prophetic word. a spoken word. A teaching or a sermon. a letter seeming to be from us. Paul seems to have suspected that a letter forged in his name was circulating (see 3:17). the day of the Lord. See notes on Amos 5:18–20; 1 Thess. 5:2–3. Paul seems to teach here, as elsewhere (1 Cor. 1:8; Phil. 1:10; 1 Thess. 5:1–4; 2 Thess. 1:7–10), that the day of the Lord and Christ’s second coming occur at the same time. They are parts of one event.

2:3 Two events will come before the day of the Lord. Neither has happened yet. The first event is the rebellion. In light of vv. 9–12, Paul probably is describing a rebellion of all humanity against God. the man of lawlessness is revealed. The person in this second event is elsewhere called the “antichrist” (1 John 2:18; 22; 4:3; 2 John 7). He will oppose God. He is the son of destruction. He will be defeated and destroyed when Jesus returns (2 Thess. 2:8).

2:4 Paul draws on Dan. 11:36–37 when he writes that the lawless one opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship. The Antichrist will insist that he alone is God. His actions will be like those of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (see Dan. 11:31–35 and notes). The context seems to indicate a concrete and observable act of defiance against God. The temple of God has been variously interpreted as the church, the heavenly temple, and the Jerusalem temple.

2:5–7 The man of lawlessness cannot be unveiled while what is restraining him now is at work. Paul refers also to he who now restrains. Scholarly theories on the identity of this restrainer include the Roman Empire/emperor, the Holy Spirit, and the archangel Michael. The restrainer makes sure that the man of lawlessness is revealed in his time, and not before (see v. 3).

2:8 the breath of his mouth (compare Isa. 11:4). Jesus will easily destroy the Antichrist.

2:9–10 those who are perishing. Those who have not believed the gospel.

2:11–12 God sends them a strong delusion. As part of his righteous judgment, God lets unbelievers follow the Antichrist (believe what is false).

2:13 beloved by the Lord. . . . God chose you. See note on 1 Thess. 1:4. This may echo Deut. 26:18, which refers to God’s choice of Israel. as the firstfruits. Like the first harvested fruit or grain, the Thessalonians are set apart for God’s use (see Lev. 23:10–11). Christians are divinely elected to be saved. Note the involvement of each person of the Trinity: the Father elects, the Son loves, and the Holy Spirit makes holy.

2:14 this. That is, salvation (v. 13). obtain the glory. See 1:10; 1 Thess. 5:9.

2:15 Paul encourages the Thessalonians to stand firm and hold to the traditions that were communicated to them by our spoken word during his ministry among them and by 1 Thessalonians (our letter).