2 Thessalonians 1

Purposes of 2 Thessalonians: To correct misunderstandings regarding the Lord’s return; warning against idleness; the nature of the second coming; what will happen to the wicked.

1. 1:1-2 Note differences and similarities between this greeting and the one in 1 Thessalonians 1:1.
   Class Answers: Differences: In 2 Thessalonians, he writes “God our Father, not God the Father. To “grace and peace to you” in 1 Thessalonians, here he adds “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Leon Morris (pg. 191) on this passage: The joining of God and Jesus are sources of grace and peace.
   Similarities: From Paul, Silas (Silvanus), and Timothy; to the church of the Thessalonians.
2. 1:3-4 For what four attributes does Paul give thanks or boast?
   Class Answers:
   1) Their faith was growing more and more
   2) Their love was increasing
   3) For their perseverance (steadfastness) through persecutions and afflictions
   4) For their faith through persecutions and afflictions
   Note: Paul says he is “bound to” or “must” give thanks because it is the right thing to do. Even if they don’t feel worthy of his praise, Paul is obligated to give it.
   Also note: In the original Greek manuscript (and 1901 American Standard Version), verses 3-10 are one sentence.
3. 1:5 How could persecutions and afflictions be evidence that God’s judgment is righteous?
   Class Answers: God provides strength in persecution; he didn’t leave the Thessalonians to their own devices. God was on their side. The Thessalonians were passing the test. They were working out God’s eternal purpose
   Morris (p. 196): “In the good providence of God, suffering is often the means of working out God’s eternal purpose.” It develops character. It teaches valuable lessons. For believers, it is inevitable. They are appointed (destined) to it (1 Thess. 3:3). Such suffering is a vivid token of the presence of God.
4. 1:5-7 What are three results of the Thessalonians’ perseverance and faith in suffering? (One each from verses 5, 6, and 7)
   Class Answers: v. 5 – They would be counted worthy; v. 6 – God would pay back the trouble they suffered; v. 7 – They would receive relief.
   Morris (p. 201) note on v. 7: “Now the Lord is hid from the view of the world, and it is even possible for people to deny his existence. But on that day he will be revealed in all his glory. He will be shown to be what he is.”
   This also reminds me of the revelation of Jesus in Revelation 1: Jesus with the flaming sword coming from his mouth, with eyes like flame of fire and feet like burnished bronze. Other references given in class were Revelation 19:1ff; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:3.
5. 1:6-8 How does Paul describe God’s justice?
   Class Answers: This describes the other side of God’s judgment. v. 6 – He will avenge his people; v. 8 – He will punish the persecutors and those who do not acknowledge him.
6. 1:8 What does it mean to “not know God and obey not the gospel”?
   Class Answers: To not know God is to not acknowledge him or his power. See Romans 1:28. To not obey the gospel is to acknowledge his existence but to pay no attention to what he would want us to do. Morris: To reject the divine invitation.
7. 1:9 What is the punishment for those to whom verse 8 applies?
   Class Answers: Everlasting destruction – shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power. According to Morris (p. 204), the Greek word used here for punish comes from the same root word as right in verse 5 and just in verse 6. He is bringing them to justice. Morris again (p. 205):
   “Those who oppose the things of God here and now are not engaged in some minor error that can easily be put right in the hereafter. They are engaging in that defiance of the will of God which has eternal consequences. Life here and now has a high and serous dignity. In particular, facing up to the gospel invitation is a choice fraught with the most solemn and lasting consequences.”
8. 1:10 When will this happen?
   Class Answers: On the day he comes to be glorified. Believers will find rest, a shared glory with Christ.
9. 1:11 With that in mind, what is Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians?
   Class Answers: 1) That they would be counted worthy of his calling; 2) That God would fulfill their purposes and acts.
10. 1:12 What is a more immediate purpose of Paul’s prayer for them?
    Class Answers: That Jesus would be glorified by them. That they would be glorified in Jesus. We reflect Jesus’ nature to others.

1 Thessalonians 4

1. 4:1-2 What are at three motivations mentioned in these verses for living in the right way? (Hint: Who does it please, who is urging it, and by whose authority were the instructions given?)
   Class Answers: 1) To please God; 2) Because Paul was urging them to do as they had been instructed; 3) Because these instructions were given through Jesus.
   Note: The word instructions here is a little weak, because it indicates authority, as a captain giving an order. According to Morris (page 116), the word is found in only two other places in the New Testament as commands to believers: 1 Timothy 1:5, and 1 Timothy 1:18. The ASV uses the word charge in all three instances.
2. 4:3-8 What does being “sanctified” have to do with living a pure life?
   Class Answers: God calls us to be holy, set apart, which is the meaning of sanctified. Living a pure life – controlling our bodies – is what sets us apart from the “Gentiles who do not know God.” See also Romans 1:20-25.
   Note: Again, I like what Morris has to say here: Page 118: “The strong warning is probably to be understood in light of the prevalence of low standards.” Page 119: “We come to Christ in all our sin, and we receive cleansing by his atoning death. Then day by day we become more and more what God would have us to be.”
3. 4:3-8 Which members of the godhead are involved here?
   Class Answers:
   1) God. Verse 1 – please God; v. 2 – the will of God; v. 5 – Gentiles who do not know God; v. 7 – God calls us in holiness; v. 8 – Rejecting God’s authority; v. 9 – taught by God.
   2) Jesus – v. 1 – urge you in the Lord Jesus; v. 2 – by the authority of the Lord Jesus
   3) Holy Spirit. v. 8 – God gives you his Holy Spirit. In the Greek, this is “his Spirit, the holy.”
   Note: The word godhead is not used in this passage. It is the term used in Colossians 2:9 (KJV and ASV) to translate the Greek word Theotes, which means “the state of being God” or “deity.”
4. 4:9-10 How were they taught by God to love one another? (See John 13:34; 15:9)
   Class Answers: It was taught by Jesus verbally (John 13:34) and by example (John 15:9). Also see 1 Thessalonians 3:12.
5. 4:11-12 What three things does Paul encourage them to do? For what purpose?
   Class Answers: 1) To aspire to live quietly. [Interesting paradox – to “be ambitious” to be quiet.] Morris (p. 131) – this does not denote inactivity, but tranquility in the midst of being busy with the Lord’s work. 2) To mind their own affairs; 3) To work with their own hands. [These are all connected: When we are quietly taking care of our own affairs, we don’t have time to be busybodies.]
   The purpose? For reputation’s sake, to set a good example, to take care of our own needs so we’re not a burden on others.
6. 4:13 Who are those who have fallen asleep? Who are those who have no hope?
   Class Answers: Christians who have died. Apparently, the Thessalonians were concerned about those who died before Jesus came again. Morris, p. 137: “When the apostle counsels the Thessalonians not to sorrow as the pagans do, he is not urging them to endure with a deep Stoic calm the buffetings of fortune that they cannot avoid….Rather, he is rejoicing in the complete victory that Christ has won. Those who have died have simply fallen asleep in Christ, and they will wake with him.”
   Those who have no hope are non-believers. See Ephesians 2:12.
7. 4:14 What does this verse imply about those who have fallen asleep?
   Class Answers: That they are with Jesus – or will be, when he comes again. See also Matthew 24:31; 2 Thessalonians 2:1. Morris, pg. 140: “What worried the Thessalonians was not whether their friends would rise, but whether they would have any share in the great events associated with the Parousia [second coming].”
8. 4:15-17 Read these verses, form a picture of the scene in your mind, then try to describe it in your own words.
   My Answer: When Jesus appears again, he will shout a command, an archangel will call, and a trumpet will sound. Those who died in Christ will rise and meet him in the air. Then those who are still alive will rise to meet them and him. Related passages: 1 Corinthians 15:52; Revelation 10:1; 18:1; 20:1; Acts 1:11. There is no mention of the wicked here. They are mentioned, though, in Acts 24:15 and in Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians.
   Note: There’s so much we can’t comprehend about this event. In response to all our questions, Morris (p. 142) writes: “There are many things we would like to know, but the Bible was not written to satisfy our curiosity. Rather, it is intended to help us in our Christian lives.” The important message here is “Be ready.”
9. 4:18 Where will Christians be when after the Lord returns? How long?
   Class Answers: With the Lord – forever.
   Note: As I understand it, what is referred to as “the rapture” is a quiet event. There’s nothing quiet in this description of Jesus’ Second Coming. I was also curious about the origin of the word “rapture,” since it doesn’t appear in any English translation I’ve read. According to Shogren, p. 188, the Greek word for taken or caught up in verse 17 was translated into Latin as rapiemur, a form of rapio, which in English is rapture. This same word, Harpazo, is used in Acts 8:39 for Philip.
   

1 Thessalonians 3

1. 3:1-3 For what reasons did Paul send Timothy to Thessalonica?
   Class Answers:
   v. 1 – He was desperate to know how the Thessalonians were faring in his absence. He and Silas could no longer stand not knowing.
   v. 2 – To strengthen and encourage them in the faith. To encourage them in their knowledge of their Savior and to make certain they were secure in that faith.
   v. 3 – So that no one would be shaken by the persecutions. He wanted the Thessalonians to know that these current afflictions were signs that things were as they should be, rather than the reverse.
   Note: Persecution is a common theme in the New Testament. In our progressively more secular society, we shouldn’t be surprised when we are criticized or judged backward, or even hateful, because we condemn sinful practices.
   Matthew 5:10-12: Persecution is a cause of rejoicing
   John 15:12-21: If we choose not to be part of this world, we will be persecuted.
   2 Timothy 3:12: If we desire to live godly lives, we will be persecuted.
   1 Peter 4:12-14: Don’t be surprised by persecution, but rather rejoice in it.
2. 3:3-4 What were the evangelists destined (or appointed) for ?
   The question should read, What are Christians destined for?
   Class Answers: For persecution. For the very afflictions the Thessalonians were experiencing.
   Note: More warnings (promises) of persecution:
   Acts 9:15-16: God told Ananias that he would show Paul what he would suffer for God’s sake.
   James 1:2: James tells his readers to rejoice in trials.
3. 3:5 Who is the tempter? How would he cause Paul’s labor to be in vain?
   Class Answers: Satan. (See also 1 Thessalonians 2:18.) If they succumbed to temptation, they would be right back where they started. He would undo all the apostles’ teaching. See 2 Peter 2:20-22: like a dog eating its own vomit.
4. 3:6 What was the good news that Timothy brought back to Paul?
   Class Answers: Of their faith and love. That they always remembered Paul and Silas kindly and they longed to see them. That the Thessalonians wanted to see and be with Paul as much as he wanted to connect with them, that they were continuing in the faith and love that he’d shared with them.
   Note: The Greek word for “good news”  here is Euaggelizo, usually translated “gospel.”  Also note the change of Paul’s tone: From concern to joy at Timothy’s good news.
   From Morris: “The combination of faith and love is no mean summary of the whole duty of Christians.” See also Galatians 5:6.
5. 3:7-10 What responses did Paul and Silas have to this news?
   Class Answers:
   v. 7 – Comfort. Even in the apostles’ own distress and persecution, they were encouraged about them through the Thessalonians’ faith. (This is the fourth time the word faith is used in this chapter.)
   v. 8 – Life. They now “live,” if the Thessalonians stand firm. Philippians 1:21 – For Paul, to live was Christ. Their faithfulness gave him new life, new energy.
   v. 9 – Joy. They couldn’t thank God enough for the joy they felt. Note the object of their gratitude – not the Thessalonians, but God. This was God’s work.
   v. 10 – Prayer. They prayed even more intensely that they could see them in person and strengthen whatever still might be lacking (to complete them).
6. 3:11-13 What are Paul’s three prayers?
   v. 11 – That God and Jesus would direct their way to the Thessalonians, clear the pathway to them.
   v. 12 – That the Thessalonians would increase and abound in love for one another and for all.
   v. 13 – That God would strengthen their hearts in holiness, so that they would be blameless. (NIV – blameless and holy)
7. 3:13 What does Paul write about the coming of Jesus?
   Class Answers: That he will come with all his saints (NRV), or “holy ones” (NIV). Commentators disagree on whether this refers to Christians who have died or angels. Morris contends that it is both. Hendricksen (page 93) ties it to 4:14:

Not a single one of [those who have fallen asleep in Jesus] will be left behind in heaven: all those who at death went to heaven – and therefore are now with him in heaven – will leave their celestial abodes at the very moment when the Lord begins his descent. Very quickly they will reunite with their bodies, which now become gloriously resurrected bodies, and will then immediately (together with those children of God who still survive on earth, and who will be changed “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”) ascend in order to meet the Lord.
This interpretation brings 3:13 into complete harmony with 4:13-18…. The coming is one; but it is a coming both with and for his saints.