Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does 2nd Thessalonians Chapter 2 mean?

The second letter written to the church in Thessalonica began much as did the first: with praise for that church’s spiritual growth and love. The first chapter was mostly a reminder to the Thessalonian Christians that their behavior was evidence of their salvation. It also reminded the readers of the fate awaiting those who reject God. This chapter tackles a weak point in this church’s faith. Despite their spiritual growth, and Paul’s earlier letter, it seems that the church at Thessalonica was plagued with wrong thinking about “the day of the Lord.” This phrase refers to a time of wrath and judgment by God, also referred to as the tribulation. So, here in this second chapter, Paul clarifies the subject.

Paul first asks his readers to put aside their concerns that they might have entered that day. He writes about the timing of that upcoming period and cites prerequisites that must be met before the day of the Lord begins. There are two particular signs which will precede this judgment. The first is described as a rebellion, the second as the rise of a notable figure.

The first occurrence which must precede the day of the Lord is a rebellion. This is described in Greek using the phrase hē apostasia. The Greek phrase uses a definite article, implying a particular thing. In contrast, an indefinite article would have implied “a” rebellion, rather than “the” rebellion. This suggests a distinctive, special event or movement, rather than a general, long-term trend (2 Thessalonians 2:1–3).

Secondly, restraint against lawlessness will be removed and the man of lawlessness will be revealed. The implication is that God will stop, to some extent, holding back evil, and allow sin freer rein on earth. This mysterious figure, the man of lawlessness, opposes all worship except the worship of himself. In part, this means sitting in the temple and declaring that he is God. Empowered by Satan, this figure will deceive unbelievers by showing signs and wonders. However, at His second coming, Jesus will destroy the man of lawlessness and all who refused the truth and reveled in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:4–12).

Paul closes this chapter by thanking God for the believers at Thessalonica, whom God called to obtain the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. In view of this bright prospect, Paul appeals to his readers to stand firm and adhere to the truths they had been taught. He prays that Jesus and the Father would encourage the Thessalonians and strengthen them in every good deed and word (2 Thessalonians 2:13–17).

The closing words of this chapter preview Paul’s teaching found in chapter 3, focused on the importance of a strong work ethic.

Chapter Context
Chapter 1 praised the Christians of Thessalonica for their spiritual growth and acts of love. This chapter seeks to correct a discouraging error present in that same church. Paul encourages these believers by stating that they have not missed out on the events described in his prior letter and have not entered into the judgment of the ”day of the Lord.” Before that catastrophic time can begin, certain events must occur. These include a widespread spiritual apostasy and the rise of a satanically-empowered figure. Chapter 3 commends the value of a strong work ethic, both in a spiritual and a secular sense.

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,

In this verse Paul addresses his reader as “brothers.” He was confident that they had believed on Jesus as their Savior and had become members of God’s family. God was their Father, and they and Paul were spiritual brothers. The brothers at Thessalonica had received Paul’s teaching about the coming of Christ, in the air, to take Christians away from the earth to be with Him before the day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13–17; 5:1–11).

Later, it seems, some false teaching about the end times had crept into the church. Perhaps itinerant false teachers had brought this teaching. Maybe the church had received a counterfeit letter bearing Paul’s name that contained erroneous teaching (2 Thessalonians 2:2). Regardless of the source, this false teaching had confused some of the believers. They misinterpreted their severe suffering as evidence that they had entered the day of the Lord, the tribulation. Paul, therefore, begins a significant explanation concerning the Lord’s return and the gathering of Christians to Him.

Context Summary
Second Thessalonians 2:1–12 discusses the ”day of the Lord” as an event from which Christians are exempt. Some Thessalonian believers were confused, thinking they had entered this time of hardship and judgment. Paul tells them to put such thinking aside, regardless of the source. He assures them the day of the Lord will not commence until a rebellion or apostasy occurs, followed by the emergence of the man of lawlessness. This figure will try to take on the role of God and deceive those who are lost and had rejected the truth. Empowered by Satan, the man of lawlessness will deceive unbelievers by performing signs and wonders. But at His coming, Jesus Christ will destroy the man of lawlessness.

Verse 2. not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

Paul urges his readers not to let false teachings about the day of the Lord upset them or cause them to be afraid. They were to reject false teaching, whether it came by prophecy, a report, or a letter. Paul had already explained truths about these things to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13–17; 5:1–11), but they were now experiencing doubts.

Some who taught error about the day of the Lord claimed to have received the teaching directly from God. Some said they heard it from one source or another. In addition, the church must have received the teaching from a letter that bore a counterfeit of Paul’s signature. Specifically, the false teaching alleged that the day of the Lord had arrived.

In his first letter the apostle John urges believers not to “believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone into the world” (1 John 4:1). John’s advice parallels Paul’s advice to the Thessalonians. Today, we must compare religious teachings with the teaching of Scripture, if we wish to enjoy peace of mind and spiritual balance.

Verse 3. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

Referring to the false teaching he mentioned in verse 2, Paul tells the Thessalonians not to allow anyone to deceive them concerning the day of the Lord. Obviously, some of the Christians at Thessalonica had fallen victim to an erroneous teaching: that the day of the Lord was already in progress. Paul explains in this verse that it will not begin until two events transpire.

First, there will be “the rebellion.” This likely means an overt and extreme revolt against truth. The word translated “rebellion” can also be translated, “the falling away,” “the apostasy,” or “the departure.” The use of a definite article—”the” in English, from hē in Greek—attached to the word for “rebellion” indicates a specific event previously mentioned in the passage. It may refer to Israel’s revolt against Old Testament teaching when the nation turns to idolatry. Perhaps it refers to the state of the world following the departure of the church due to the rapture. It is noteworthy that Paul describes the rapture in verse 1 as “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathering together to him.”

The second event Paul mentions in verse 3 is the appearance of “the man of lawlessness,” “the son of destruction.” Based on the description of this man’s activities, it seems probable that he is one of the two infamous figures described in Revelation 13. God will punish the man of lawlessness by consigning him to eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20–21).

Verse 4. who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

This passage has begun to reassure Christians in Thessalonica that they have not been left behind, to face the judgment of the day of the Lord. Though Paul has already addressed this with these believers (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13–17; 5:1–11), they seem plagued once again with doubts. Prior verses explained how several events needed to take place before this part of the end of days, including the appearance of a “man of lawlessness.”

In this verse Paul tells his readers what the man of lawlessness does when he is revealed. He sets himself against God and the worship of God. He sits in the temple and declares that he is God. This description of the man of lawlessness seems to fit the false prophet, although many Bible teachers believe he is the head of the Revived Roman Empire, who is described as the beast that rises out of the sea (Revelation 13:1). However, the second beast of Revelation 13 performs “great signs” (Revelation 13:13) that deceive multitudes and leads them into idol worship (Revelation 13:14–17). Although many interpreters apply the title, “Antichrist,” to the first beast of Revelation 13, the title may justifiably be ascribed as well to the false prophet, the second beast of Revelation 13. The first beast is a political leader, whereas the second beast is a deceptive religious leader; and references to “antichrist” in the New Testament appear in a religious, not political, context (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7).

Verse 5. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?

The Thessalonians should have known this information because Paul had taught them about the day of the Lord when he was with them. He asks, “Do you not remember . . . I told you these things?” Paul had been in Thessalonica for only three Sabbaths, and yet he had taught the believers a great deal about the rapture and the day of the Lord. He did not shrink from teaching prophecy to new believers,. Paul had also expressed many of these ideas in a prior letter (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13–17; 5:1–11).

It is important to remember biblical teaching, because false teaching abounds. The best defense against the temptation to doubt or forget or contradict God’s Word is to meditate upon it and memorize it. When the Lord appointed Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, He commanded him to meditate on the Book of the Law day and night so he would carefully obey it (Joshua 1:8).

Verse 6. And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.

This verse continues Paul’s statement in verse 5 about the Thessalonians’ prior knowledge. This was in regards to the man of lawlessness: the false prophet of Revelation 13:11–18. Paul writes that these Christians know what is holding back the lawless one’s evil from coming to full fruition. In the following verse Paul expands on what or who is holding back the man of lawlessness from performing his evil deeds to the fullest extent.

Without a doubt, evil is raging today. It manifests itself in heinous crimes, profane and blasphemous speech, sexual immorality, secularism, greed, hatred, and a growing disdain for God. And yet, wicked conditions will reach an unparalleled level when the man of lawlessness is revealed. He will personify evil and will lead an unprecedented rebellion against God. As in the days of Noah, the human condition even now grieves God and invites His judgment (Genesis 6:5–6), But, just as God witnessed to that generation through Noah (2 Peter 2:5), He confronts and restrains evil today through His witnesses.

Verses 6 and 7 also serve to remind us about the relationship between God and human suffering. When human beings wonder why God “does nothing” to stop evil, this passage should come to mind. As bad as it might seem, at times, the fact is that God is “restraining” evil from being even worse.

Verse 7. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.

Paul is clarifying certain aspects of end times (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13–17; 5:1–11). This includes particular events which must happen before the beginning of the day of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:3–5).

Paul introduces a “mystery” in this verse. It is the mystery of lawlessness, and Paul says it is already operating. The New Testament word “mystery” identifies a truth previously hidden but later revealed. For example, Paul describes the union of saved Jews and saved Gentiles in the church as a mystery (Ephesians 3:1–6). Also, in 1 Corinthians 15:51 he refers to the resurrection of believers at the rapture as a mystery. Here, in 2 Thessalonians 2:7, he describes lawlessness as a “mystery” that is already at work. Lawlessness is present now, but it will culminate in the deeds of the man of lawlessness. This truth was hidden until God revealed it through Paul.

Currently, the restrainer holds back lawlessness, but he will be removed someday. When he is out of the way, lawless activities will culminate through the man of lawlessness. But who is the restrainer? Only the Holy Spirit has the power to hold back sin from becoming full blown. He does this through His convicting ministry. Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). He will do so through Jesus’ followers, but at the rapture Jesus’ followers will be removed from the earth, and the earthly influence of Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, will be greatly diminished. While the Holy Spirit will still be on the earth, His unique sin-restraining ministry through saved believers will be gone: He will no longer convict the world of sin through believers. Therefore, lawlessness will reach an unprecedented manifestation.

Verses 6 and 7 combine to make a powerful point about the evil we face during our earthly lives. Despite what some might think, God does not merely observe and do nothing, while suffering and death run rampant. This passage reminds us that God is restraining evil, even now.

Verse 8. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.

This passage explains certain events which must take place before the day of the Lord. This instruction is being given by Paul to reassure Thessalonian Christians who are experiencing doubts. Among the events preceding the rapture are a large-scale “rebellion,” or a “falling away” (2 Thessalonians 2:3) and the rise of a figure referred to as the man of lawlessness.

When the Holy Spirit’s influence is reduced on this earth (2 Thessalonians 2:7), the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but he will come to a destructive end. Revelation 13:11–17 reveals the extraordinary power of the man of lawlessness. The man of lawlessness has power to make the whole world worship the first beast (Revelation 13:12). He performs great signs, including calling down fire from heaven. He animates a statue that he erects in honor of the first beast—a powerful political figure. The person described in this passage also controls commerce, imposing the death sentence on those who do not worship the first beast. However, the man of lawlessness is no match for the Lord Jesus. When Jesus descends from heaven to earth at the close of the tribulation, He will put an end to the man of lawlessness’s wicked ways. He will destroy him with “the breath of his mouth.”

Revelation 19:11–21 captures the dramatic scene in which Jesus returns and destroys the first beast and the man of lawlessness.

Verse 9. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,

Before the coming of the day of the Lord—a time of wrath and judgment—certain events must take place. Among these are a worldwide moral and spiritual rebellion, and the appearance of a “man of lawlessness.”

Paul points to Satan as the evil person who brings the man of lawlessness into power. Satan enables him to perform “false signs and wonders.” One of the miracles is mentioned in Revelation 13:13 as that of making fire drop from heaven in public view. Another miracle is that of giving the power of speech to the idol he erects (Revelations 13:15), in honor of the first beast—another end-times figure, appearing in Revelation 13:1–8.

These so-called miracles are counterfeit according to 2 Thessalonians 1:9, but they are intended to dupe people into thinking the man of lawlessness is the Messiah. Jesus, the true Messiah, authenticated His claim to be the Promised One by performing genuine miracles. False miracles are distinguished first by the person who performs them (Matthew 7:16, 20; 1 John 4:2–6), since any person who opposes God cannot be granted God’s power. True miracles also support God’s Word and His truth. As the apostle John noted: “These [miracles recorded in the Gospel of John] are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ [the Messiah], the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

Verse 10. and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

According to Paul, a major figure in the end times is a “man of lawlessness.” This figure is credited with impressive satanic powers, which he uses to deceive the world.

Satan has always been a master of deception (John 8:44). In the garden of Eden, he deceived Eve (Genesis 3:1–7), and he has deceived millions since that fateful day. Revelation 12:9 identifies him as “the deceiver of the whole world.” In 2 Thessalonians 2:10, we are reminded that Satan’s deception works in the hearts and minds of “those who are perishing.” Scripture indicates that those who are saved have the presence of the Holy Spirit within them (John 14:16–17; Ephesians 1:13–14), which provides a certain level of spiritual awareness (1 Corinthians 2:14). Those who have rejected Christ do not have this defense (John 3:36). Unbelievers of the tribulation will be totally duped by the false signs and wonders the Devil parades before them. These same lost people had refused to love the truth and be saved (John 3:16–18, 36).

When the gospel reaches a person, he or she has an opportunity to believe and be saved, but “the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Only the grace of God can dispel this blindness (2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 2:8–9).

Verse 11. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,

In this verse Paul explains what happens to those who refuse the truth during the tribulation. He references an impending spiritual rebellion, and the rise of a powerful spiritual figure, the man of lawlessness. To those who are not Christians, God sends a strong delusion, so they will succumb to the false teaching of the man of lawlessness. A rejection of truth always predisposes sinners to accept error (Romans 1:18–23). In this case, unbelievers choose to reject the truth but believe the lie that the man of lawlessness is the Messiah.

Paul’s teaching in this passage raises an interesting question: how does the truth reach the lost in the tribulation? Based on his prior words, Christians will not be present to share the truth. They will be in heaven, having been raptured and taken from the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:13–17). According to Scripture, however, God will raise up other witnesses to the truth in the tribulation. From the tribes of Israel, 144,000 Jews will believe on Jesus and evangelize the lost. Further, two faithful witnesses will preach for three and one-half years, authenticating their ministry by withholding rain from the earth and striking the earth with plagues. These witnesses will be martyred, but after three and one-half days, God will raise them from the dead.

The fact that so many living in the tribulation refuse to believe in spite of such powerful witnesses shows how hard the human heart can be.

Verse 12. in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

In this verse Paul describes the fate of those who reject the truth in favor of believing the falsehood perpetrated by the man of lawlessness. This is the fate of those who continue to dismiss God, and His signs, after the rapture and during the tribulation. Such persons are, to put it mildly, entirely condemned. Their delighting in unrighteousness is over once and for all—their ultimate destiny is one of suffering, not happiness (Luke 13:27–28). Undoubtedly, many unbelievers who are alive before the rapture will be alive in the tribulation, giving them all the more opportunity to recognize their need for God. According to this verse, there will be many who stubbornly refuse to respond, even to the incredible experiences of God’s judgments during the tribulation, and the words of God’s witnesses. There is no second chance to be saved after death; if a person heard the truth but rejected it, their fate is sealed.

Often, deluded individuals believe they derive pleasure from sinning, but the pleasure is short-lived. Moses chose wisely when he sided with God’s people in the affliction instead of choosing “to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25). Any pleasure derived from sin is a far cry from pleasure derived from obeying God. Psalm 16:11 tells us that in God’s “presence there is fullness of joy; at [His] right hand are pleasures forevermore.” First Timothy 5:6 underscores the folly of living for pleasure. It reveals that the widow who lives in self-indulgence is dead while she lives. And 2 Timothy 3:4 describes people in the last days as “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”

Verse 13. But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

As Paul reflects on what God did in the Thessalonians’ lives, he gives thanks constantly. They are his spiritual brothers in whom God’s love abides. He is thankful specifically that God chose them from the very first to grant them salvation.

This divine choosing does not rule out human accountability. The gospel summons sinners to believe on Christ, which Paul’s readers did (1 Thessalonians 1:4–6). However, the Holy Spirit fills a significant role in salvation by setting sinners apart for salvation. In response to the work of the Holy Spirit, the Thessalonians had put their trust in the truth, the message of salvation that Paul and his fellow missionaries had preached in Thessalonica. Salvation is entirely by grace, but no one is saved unless he accepts it by faith as a gift from God. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8–9: “for by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” And in Romans 6:23 Paul declared that eternal life is the gift of God “in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Context Summary
Second Thessalonians 2:13–17 presents a stark contrast to the preceding passage. Previously, Paul wrote about the evil man of lawlessness, his wicked deeds, and the dreadful consequences that await him and his followers. Now Paul addresses the Thessalonian believers with a positive, uplifting message about their salvation, and he encourages them to take a defensive posture against false teaching and to adhere to what he had taught them. He concludes with an uplifting benediction, in which he calls upon the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father to encourage the Thessalonians and establish them in every good word and deed.

Verse 14. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this verse Paul reminds his readers that God used the good news of salvation to call them for a purpose. He called them to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus was on earth, He took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain and was transfigured before them (Luke 9:28–36). His inner glory shone through His body, and later John and Peter reflected on what had taken place. John wrote: “We have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Peter wrote, “We were eyewitnesses of his majesty . . . for we were with him on the holy mountain” (2 Peter 1:16–18). In his letter to the Colossians Paul said Christ in believers is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Now, we hope to share in Christ’s glory, but when He appears, we will appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:4).

Verse 15. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

Paul connects God’s call to salvation and the believers’ future glory to the obligation his readers have to stick with the truth. Many false teachers were trying to pull the believers away from the truth, and persecution and trials were buffeting them; so Paul urges his readers to hold their ground against the false teachers’ influence. He also urges his readers to keep a firm grip on the teachings they had received from him, whether he had given them when he was in Thessalonica or communicated them by letter. The New Testament often warns against drifting from the truth towards some different, false belief (Galatians 1:8–9; 1 Corinthians 4:6).

It is possible to slip back from a position of love for God and His Word. The risen Savior rebuked the church at Ephesus for having abandoned the love it had at first (Revelation 2:4). He admonished the church to “remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first” (Revelation 2:5). We must constantly love the God of the Word and the Word of God.

Verse 16. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,

In this verse Paul begins a benediction. In his prayer he identifies the Lord Jesus Christ, and God our Father, as having loved him, his coworkers, and his readers. It is rare that Paul placed Jesus’ name before the Father’s name, but the order shows that Jesus and the Father are equal in essence, authority, and power. Also, in the Greek language, the subject is plural but the verbs are singular, indicating that each person named in the subject has equal value.

Jesus and the Father loved us while we were sinners (Romans 5:8) and still love us. Nothing can separate us from this love (Romans 8:38–39). God bestowed on the Thessalonians comfort that outlasts this life and extends for eternity, and he did so because of His love. He also gave the Thessalonians hope of a bright future, and He imparted it by grace—His undeserved favor. The persecution and trials could not dim the good hope God had bestowed on Paul’s readers.

Verse 17. comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Paul continues his benediction and prayer in this verse. He asks the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father to comfort his readers’ hearts. They had been confused about the coming day of the Lord, and they were the subjects of intense persecution. Their trials were abundant. All of these situations might have caused alarm, so they needed God’s strength to stabilize them. Possessing God’s strength and comfort would enable the Thessalonians to live out their faith in words and deeds that honor Him.

Christians have the power to confront trouble with bold confidence in God and to encourage one another by speaking helpful words and performing kind and loving deeds. In Ephesians Paul exhorted his readers to put aside unwholesome speech and employ only words that build up one another (Ephesians 4:29). Also, he urged the Ephesians to walk in love, having Christ as their example (Ephesians 5:2). Deriving our strength and encouragement from God, we can talk and walk in a way that pleases him.

End of Chapter 2.

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