The Cleveland Commentary on 2 Thessalonians

The Cleveland Bible Commentary

2 Thessalonians (NIV)

By Syd Cleveland

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2 Th 1:1

SILAS AND TIMOTHY = After Silas and Timothy returned from delivering 1 Thessalonians, Paul probably wrote this letter from Corinth in about 51-52 A.D.

2 Th 1:3

FAITH … LOVE = It is a divine principle that one’s faith in God increases, his love for his brothers and sisters grows. A church which lacks love is a church which has little faith. The Thessalonian church started out badly (see Acts 17:11), but now was growing so rapidly in faith and love that Paul could boast to other churches about them.

2 Th 1:4

PERSECUTIONS AND TRIALS = Apparently these were local Jews persecuting the Christians in Thessalonica, similar to the kind of persecutions recorded in Acts 17:5-14.

2 Th 1:9

EVERLASTING DESTRUCTION = The Greek "aionios olethros" (Strongs #G166 + 3639) means "kill, destroy, ruin, destruction" -- it does not mean "annihilate" as Seventh-day Adventists and other cults teach.

"The fundamental thought is not annihilation by any means, but unavoidable distress and torment." -- The Complete Word Study Dictionary, New Testament, Zodhiates, p. 1036.

Also see Ezekiel 28:18; Malachi 4:1, 3; 2 Peter 2:6; 3:9-10).

"OLETHROS; gen. 'olethrou,' masc. noun, from 'ollumi' (n.f.), to destroy, kill. Ruin, destruction. Used of divine punishment (1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 Timothy 6:9; Septuagint: Proverbs 21:7). The verb 'ollumi' (n.f.) does not occur, but its derivative, 'apollumi' (Strongs #G622), to destroy, does. The fundamental thought is not annihilation by any means, but unavoidable distress and torment." -- The Complete Wordstudy Dictionary, New Testament, Zodhiates, AMG Publishers, p. 1036.

“DESTRUCTION. Not annihilation (see note on 1 Thessalonians 5:3). Paul uses the word in 1 Corinthians 5:5, possibly of the destruction of the ‘flesh’ (see NIV text note there) for the purpose of salvation. Since, however, salvation implies resurrection of the body, annihilation cannot be in mind. The word means something like ‘complete ruin.’ Here it means being shut out from Christ’s presence. This eternal separation is the penalty of sin and the essence of hell.” – NIV Study Bile Notes on 2 Thessalonians 1:9

“With destruction both of soul and body, though not with the annihilation of either; their gnawing worm of conscience will never die, and the fire of divine wrath will never be quenched; the smoke of their torment will ascend for ever. Sin being committed against an infinite and eternal Being, will be infinite in its duration.” – John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible.

A careful Bible student will recognize that it is “unfair” for God to give a person eternal life in the joys of heaven simply because at the last moment of a lifetime of sin, the person repented on his death bed. It is equally “unfair” for God to send a person to an eternity in misery simply because the person refused to repent of a short lifetime of sin. When we make our definition of what is “fair” and “unfair” the determiner of whether or not we believe the plain word of God, we become idolaters who believe we are wiser than God. Seventh-day Adventists and other “annihilationists” ought to think very carefully about the true source of their anti-Biblical doctrines.

2 Th 1:11

WE CONSTANTLY PRAY FOR YOU = It is a both a privilege and a duty for Christians to earnestly pray for one another (see Acts 1:14; Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:8).

2 Th 2:1

CONCERNING THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST = Eschatology is the primary focus of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians. Thus, however we interpret these inspired verses, we must take them in the context of Christ's second coming. The Greek word for "coming" is "parousia" (Strongs #G3952) meaning "coming, presence." It is the same word used in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 which mentions the "splendor of His coming." This is the bright, visible, glorious second coming of Christ in which "every eye will see Him," it is not a "secret" rapture: Matthew 24:27, 30-31; Revelation 1:7. Thus it is at Christ's visible, glorious second coming that the "church"/God's people are "raptured," and not before.

AND OUR BEING GATHERED TO HIM = This clearly refers to the visible "rapture" of the church in conjunction with the second coming of Christ (see commentary on John 14:1-3 and Philippians 1:23).

2 Th 2:2

LETTER SUPPOSED TO HAVE COME FROM US = A reference to a forgery that was being passed among Christians at Thessalonica – possibly a letter written by Jews to cause confusion in the church (see 2 Thessalonians 1:4). These spurious letters became so common that Paul developed a special hand-written signature to authenticate his writings (2 Thessalonians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18; Philemon 1:19)

THE DAY OF THE LORD HAS ALREADY COME = In context, this refers to the second "coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 2:1). Here in 51 A.D. Paul assures the Thessalonians that Christ had not yet returned. This does not mean that Christ did not come in judgment to Jerusalem a few years later in 70 A.D.

2 Th 2:3

THAT DAY = Refers back to "the day of the Lord" (Christ's visible, glorious second coming) in the previous verse (2 Thessalonians 2:2).

WILL NOT COME UNTIL = Both the "rebellion and the man of lawlessness is revealed" before the visible, glorious second coming of Christ.

THE REBELLION OCCURS AND = "Rebellion was used in Jewish literature especially for opposition to God (1 Maccabees 2:15), and the thought of a great outbreak of evil against God in the world generally was a familiar theme." -- New Bible Commentary, 21st Century Edition, edited by Wenham, Motyer, Carson and France, page 1288

THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS IS REVEALED = These two concepts (rebellion and man of lawlessness) are tied together and precede Christ's second coming. What the "man of lawlessness" (most interpret this to be the "Antichrist") does is instigate rebellion against God. There is no hint here that this refers to an apostate church (i.e. Roman Catholicism), or a political figure (i.e. Nero who proclaimed himself to be "god"). Neither is there a specific link between the "man of lawlessness" and the "antichrist" of 1 John 2:18-19, 22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7). The "lawlessness" was already secretly working in Paul's time (2 Thessalonians 2:7). Further details are mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9.

THE MAN DOOMED TO DESTRUCTION = The Greek "apoleia" (Strongs #G684) means "perdition, ruin, full destruction." Also see John 17:12; Philippians 1:28; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 6:9; Hebrews 10:39; 2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 17:8, 11.

"In the New Testament, 'apoleia' refers to the state after death wherein exclusion from salvation is a realized fact, wherein man, instead of becoming what he might have been, is lost and ruined. ... (It is) the second death which is eternal exclusion from Christ's kingdom. (It applies to ) one determined to remain spiritually lost. ... 'Apoleia' and the verb 'apollumi (Strongs #G622), (meaning) to destroy, lose, perish, must never be construed as meaning extinction. One dies physically when his spirit and his body separate. Neither the body becomes extinct, nor the spirit. The body decomposes and ceases to exist in the form it was. Its constituent parts, however, continue to exist in a noncohesive form. The spirit takes a new existence, separate from its previous existence joined with the body." -- The Complete WordStudy Dictionary, New Testament, by Zodhiates, p. 246

In John 17:12, Jesus used the same term when speaking of Judas. Here, however, Paul is speaking of a person who was still future in Paul's time (see note on 2 Thessalonians 2:4).

2 Th 2:4

HE = Refers back to the "man of lawlessness" in 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

SETS HIMSELF UP IN GOD'S TEMPLE = If this is speaking about a literal, physical temple, it is likely this word picture is taken from Ezekiel 28:2. Both Antiochus (168 B.C.) and Pompey (63 B.C.) desecrated the temple in Jerusalem. According to the grammar of this text, the person who "will exalt himself ... so that he sets himself up in God's temple" was still future when Paul wrote this (51 A.D.), therefore it cannot refer to either Antiochus or Pompey.

However, in 67 A.D. a number of Jewish Zealots and their forces committed sacrilege by entering and warring within the Jewish temple. Paul wrote these words nearly twenty years before the temple at Jerusalem was destroyed. Thus it is unlikely, as some teach, that Paul was referring to a reconstructed temple that supposedly is to be built in Jerusalem some two thousand years later in our time.

The Greek has two words which are translated "temple." The first, "heiron" (Strongs G2411) is used of a stone and mortar temple. It can also include the sacred temple grounds. When speaking of the "man of lawlessness" (or "Antichrist") the Greek text never uses "heiron."

The second Greek word translated "temple" is "naos" (Strongs #G3485). "Naos" is at times used of the inner sanctuary of a literal temple, but it is always used when referring to Christians as the "temple" of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:21). "Naos" is the term Paul used here in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 when speaking of the Antichrist. Thus the implication is that the Antichrist (or "man of lawlessness") comes from within the body of Christ (i.e. from within Christianity) and not the temples of paganism. This leads some to believe the doctrinal errors of the Roman Catholic Popes of the Dark Ages as the fulfillment of this prophecy.

"Many apply this to a Nicolae Carpathia-type (of the "Left Behind" series of book and movie) whom they think will someday enter a rebuilt Jewish temple, sit down, and boldly proclaim, 'I am God;' yet is this what Paul is really saying? If you look at any concordance, you will discover that the Greek word used here to 'temple' is 'naos' (Strongs #G3485). Paul used the very same word in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, et cetera. Writing to 'the church of God" (1 Corinthians 1:2), Paul asked, 'Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple'? Here the temple of God is the church, and Paul wrote that this is where the Antichrist will sit! This doesn't mean that the antichrist will literally sit down on some chair inside a physical building. To 'sit' means to sit in a position of supreme authority. Jesus is now 'seated' at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1). The Antichrist will 'sit' in God's temple, which means he will sit in a position of supreme and apparently infallible authority inside the Christian Church. Thus the Antichrist will direct the eyes of people to himself in the place of Jesus Christ. Thus the battle is between 'that man of sin' and 'the Man Christ Jesus.' And this Antichrist will not blatantly say, 'I am God,' for this would be much too obvious and non-seductive. Rather, the Antichrist will 'set himself up ... proclaiming himself to be God' by his statements and claims.

"The Antichrist will sit 'in God's temple.' Millions are now applying this to a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, and this is one reason why American Christians are so interested in the latest news about the Israelis and the Palestinian Liberation Organization. Yet think about it. If certain Jews ever do rebuild their temple and start offering sacrifices, would this temple really be 'God's temple'? When Jesus Christ died ... He was the Final Sacrifice. If the Jews ever do resume animal sacrifices, what kind of statement would this be making to the Father? It would be an official denial of His Son! Therefore (are you ready for this?) that temple would itself be an antichrist temple! Honestly, could such a temple, which would in itself be a denial of Jesus, ever be properly called 'God's temple'? Never!" -- The Left Behind Deception, by Steve Wohlberg, Remnant Publications, 649 E. Chicago, Coldwater, MI 43096 (ISBN 1-883012-90-2), pages 50-51

PROCLAIMING HIMSELF TO BE GOD = This cannot be a reference to any Roman Catholic Pope, for none of them proclaimed themselves to be "God," nor are they considered by the Roman Catholic Church to be "God."

However, between Paul's day and 300 A.D., various Caesars (including Caligula [37-41 A.D.]) referred to themselves as "god." Thus it would seem Paul was looking at pagan Rome, rather than Papal Rome, as the source of this "man of lawlessness."

2 Th 2:5

DON’T YOU REMEMBER … I USED TO TELL YOU THESE THINGS? = Here is a key to unlock the mystery of the previous verses. Paul does not write openly as to the identity of this “man of sin” – rather he reminds the Christians at Thessalonica of private conversations in which he taught them the “man’s” true identity. For Paul to be so cautious in writing indicates this “man of sin” is a political power who would wreck havoc on Paul and the church if this letter fell into the wrong hands.

2 Th 2:6

HIM ... HE = The "man of lawlessness" (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

2 Th 2:7

SECRET POWER OF LAWLESSNESS = This is a reference back to 2 Thessalonians 2:3 ("the man of lawlessness"). It is the opposite of Jesus Christ Who is called the "mystery of godliness" (1 Timothy 3:16).

IS ALREADY AT WORK = Thus "lawlessness," and "rebellion" (2 Thessalonians 2:3) was already beginning in Paul's day.

ONE WHO NOW HOLDS IT BACK = The "lawlessness" and "rebellion" were not permitted to develop to their fullest extent in Paul's time.

2 Th 2:8

THE LAWLESS ONE = Same person mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4, 6, 8, and exposed in 2 Thessalonians 2:5.

BY THE SPLENDOR OF HIS COMING = Not necessarily the Second Coming of Christ (see notes on Revelation 2:5, 16; Revelation 3:3. The historian Josephus referred to Titus and the Roman legions as God's means to punish the rebellious Jews for polluting the city and permitting the daily sacrifices at the temple to end: "It is God, therefore, it is God himself who is bringing on this fire, to purge that city (Jerusalem) and temple by means of the Romans, and is going to pluck u this city, which is full of your pollutions. ("Note: Josephus speaks so, that it is most evident he was fully satisfied that God was on the Romans' side, and made use of them now for the destruction of the Jews, which was for certain the true state of this matter, as the prophet Daniel first, and our Saviour himself afterwards, had clearly foretold.")" -- Josephus, War of the Jews, Book VI, chapter 2.1, pages 574-575.

THE BREATH OF HIS MOUTH = A reference to Psalms 33:6. There is no reference to "the breath of His mouth" connected with Christ's literal second coming.

2 Th 2:9

THE LAWLESS ONE = Referred to in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4, 6, 8, and exposed in 2 Thessalonians 2:5.

COUNTERFEIT MIRACLES, SIGNS AND WONDERS = This concept is repeated in Revelation 13:13.

2 Th 2:11

SENDS THEM = This refers to "those who are perishing because they refused to love the truth and so be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:10), because they "have delighted in wickedness" (2 Thessalonians 2:12). Thus these people have already made up their minds to be lost and to follow the "man of lawlessness" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

SO THAT THEY WILL BELIEVE THE LIE = In context, because their minds are made up against God's truth and there is no longer any hope they can be saved, God sends them the lies they prefer. The result is they have the opportunity to show beyond any question that they are lost.

2 Th 2:12

ALL WILL BE CONDEMNED = By reading the context of 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 it is evident that God does not arbitrarily condemn these people. Their condemnation is the result of the deliberate decision to reject God's truth and embrace the lies of the "man of lawlessness" (see 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10).

2 Th 2:13

FROM THE BEGINNING GOD CHOSE YOU = This text is not speaking about God predestining some to be saved and others to be lost. Rather, here God has "chosen" (or "predestined") the conditions of salvation: (1) sanctification through the Holy Spirit, and (2) belief in the truth. All who fulfill these conditions will be saved.

2 Th 3:1

PRAY FOR US = See note on 2 Thessalonians 1:11.

2 Th 3:2

NOT EVERYONE HAS FAITH = This is not to say that God only extends faith to some and not to others. The ability to have faith is extended to all (John 3:16). However, a personal faith in God is the result of our personal free choice. We can choose to believe in God, or we can choose to disbelieve. We can choose to open our hearts to God or we can choose to close our hearts to Him.

Specifically, Paul is saying that the "wicked and evil men" he mentioned do not have "faith" in the Lord. It is probable that these people were devout Jews in Corinth who bitterly opposed Paul and caused him a severe crisis even as he wrote this letter to the Thessalonians (see Acts 18:5-8, 12-13).

2 Th 3:3

THE LORD IS FAITHFUL = Regardless of our lack of faith, the Lord is always faithful to us.

THE EVIL ONE = Satan is the one who inspires the "wicked and evil men" of the previous verse (2 Thessalonians 3:2).

2 Th 3:6

KEEP AWAY FROM = The practice of "shunning" originates in these verses. The purpose of not associating with him ("keeping away from") is so that "he may feel ashamed" and change his ways (2 Thessalonians 3:14). Those to be "shunned" include those who are "idle" and/or who "do not live according to the teaching" (2 Thessalonians 3:6). Prior to shunning, a warning is to be given to him "as to a brother." Never is the one shunned to be treated "as an enemy" (2 Thessalonians 3:15).

2 Th 3:8

WITHOUT PAYING FOR IT = Paul knew he had a right to financial support from the church receiving his ministry (2 Thessalonians 3:9), but because of special circumstances he refused that support. For a full portrayal of the Bible's teaching about churches financially support Gospel workers see Matthew 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 11:7-9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; 1 Corinthians 9:3-14; Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:14-19; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 2 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 7:8; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11.

2 Th 3:9

THE RIGHT TO SUCH HELP = Here Paul is saying he took no financial help he was entitled to from the Thessalonian church because lazy people (2 Thessalonians 3:7) were sponging off the church (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12). Thus, as an example of how to live an industrious life ("make ourselves a model for you to follow"), Paul worked at a trade. In Corinth he had a similar problem, but received financial help from other churches (2 Corinthians 11:8-9).

2 Th 3:14

DO NOT ASSOCIATE WITH HIM = The purpose of not associating with him ("keeping away from" [2 Thessalonians 3:6]) is so that "he may feel ashamed" and change his ways. Those to be "shunned" include those who are "idle" and/or who "do not live according to the teaching" (2 Thessalonians 3:6). Prior to shunning, a warning is to be given to him "as to a brother." Never is the one shunned to be treated "as an enemy" (2 Thessalonians 3:15).

2 Th 3:15

ENEMY ... WARN HIM = See notes on 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14.

Sydney Cleveland, 172 Suncrest Drive, Greenwood, IN 46143 317 885-8122

scleveland@prodigy.net

Permission to use The Cleveland Bible Commentary in your personal study is freely given, however this Commentary is not in the public domain. The author retains all copyrights © and ownership of this commentary, world wide. This means you cannot copy, revise, change, republish, or distribute The Cleveland Bible Commentary in any way, including electronically, except as provided here. Nor may you use it in any manner other than for your own personal study, except as stated here, without my written permission. You may quote from The Cleveland Bible Commentary in materials used in your personal teaching at educational institutions, including churches and Bible classes sponsored by your church, as long as the quotation does not exceed twenty-five percent of the entire Cleveland Bible Commentary verse notes on any single chapter. For example, this means if I comment on twenty-four verses in Matthew chapter 19, you may directly quote my comments on six verses of your choice in Matthew 19 without requesting permission.

When quoting, please include the following credit line: “Quoted from The Cleveland Bible Commentary, by Syd Cleveland, located at: http://www.christiancommunitychurch.us/ClevelandCommentary/Index.html. Thank you for being considerate in this matter.

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