2 Tessalonicenses 2
Bruce Hurt · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Tessalonicenses 2
HE HAS NOT YET COME Charts from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Another Overview Chart - 2 Thessalonans - Charles Swindoll COMPARISON OF 1 AND 2 THESSALONIANS 1 THESSALONIANS 2 THESSALONIANS Addresses how the Thessalonians were evangelizes as they received the Word of God Addresses how the Thessalonians are being edified, noting their progress in faith, love, and patience The imminency and importance of the Lord’s return is emphasized Misunderstandings about the Lord’s return are corrected The saints are comforted and encouraged The saints are assured of God’s judgment on His enemies Paul is concerned with the church and its hope of the rapture (meeting Christ in the air) Paul is concerned with Satan, the man of sin (Antichrist) and their destruction at the revelation (return of Christ to the earth) Contains the outstanding passage on the rapture of the saints in 4:13–18 Contains the outstanding passage concerning the day of the Lord in 2:1–12 2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we: Ro 12:1 by the: 1Th 4:14-16 and by: Ge 49:10 Mt 24:31 25:32 Mk 13:27 Eph 1:10 1Th 3:13 4:17 2Ti 4:1 2 Thessalonians 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE COMING AND THE GATHERING Click for main commentary on 2 Thessalonians 2:1 As an aside, it is notable that Paul did not hesitate to teach Bible prophecy to new converts to Christianity, clearly indicative of the importance of prophetic Scriptures as part of the whole counsel of God's Word. The tragedy in the modern evangelical church is that many churches are failing to teach Bible prophecy to their congregations, using such logic as there is too much disagreement, how can anyone know the true interpretation, it is too difficult to understand, etc, etc. Guess what? If the church does not teach Bible prophecy, then how will the saints know the truth? Sadly, the cults major in propagating their false interpretations of prophecy and instead of saints being stabilized by truth, they are shaken and confused. How many time have you heard someone say they were even afraid to read the Revelation because it is so confusing? If 20 percent of the Scriptures was prophetic when it was written, then one can see that there will be a major gap in a believer's Biblical knowledge if prophetic passages are bypassed and/or treated only superficially. This was not the apostle Paul's approach for as he wrote " Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?" (2 Thes 2:5) This begs the question dear pastor or teacher, are you instructing your flock on the things that Paul thought important to pass on to the new believers at Thessalonica? THOUGHT - Future predictive prophecy occupies 20% of Scripture. One-third of this 20% is focused on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Speaks of the return to judge sinners and to reward the righteous ~660 general prophecies in the Bible and about 330 (50%) relate to Jesus Christ. Of 330 prophecies about Jesus, about 110 refer to His first coming and 220 to His Second Coming. There are 46 OT prophets - 10 spoke of His first coming and 36 of His Second Coming. Estimated that >1500 OT verses refer to the return of the Messiah in glory and judgment. Approximately one of every 25 NT verses relate to Christ's Second Coming. There are 8 NT mentions of the Second Coming for every mention of His first coming Our Lord referred to His Second Coming 20 times and there are over 50 warnings in the NT that He is coming again. UPSHOT? JESUS IS COMING! (Adapted from John MacArthur) Guzik makes a good point - The challenge in understanding this chapter comes from the fact that it is a supplement to what Paul has already taught the Thessalonians in words, and we don’t know exactly what Paul said to the them. Yet the ideas are clear enough if carefully pieced together. As Charles Ryrie says "some Thessalonian believers thought that the Day of the Lord had already come and that they were living in it, because of the persecutions and trials through which they were passing. It is to this point, the coming or beginning of the Day of the Lord, that Paul speaks in the section. He assures these believers (and us) that the Day had not yet come and would not come until certain other events occur." (EvBC-2Th) 2 Thessalonians 2:2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. shaken: Isa 7:2 8:12,13 26:3 Mt 24:6 Mk 13:7 Lu 21:9,19 Joh 14:1,27 Ac 20:23,24 Eph 5:6 1Th 3:3 by spirit: De 13:1-5 Jer 23:25-27 Mic 2:11 Mt 24:4,5,24 2Pe 2:1-3 1Jn 4:1,2 Rev 19:20 nor by letter: 1Th 4:15 2Pe 3:4-8 2 Thessalonians 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries The End of the World (The Great Day of His Wrath) John Martin THE NEED TO STAY SOBER MINDED Click for main commentary on 2 Thessalonians 2:2 THOUGHT - Note that false teachers apparently popped up almost immediately after Paul left Thessalonica at the "invitation" of a mob of jealous Jews (Acts 17:5,10+). O, how we need to stay daily in the Word of Truth taught by the Spirit of Truth that we might be sanctified in Truth (Jn 17:17).
2 Tessalonicenses 2:1
To go directly to commentary HE HAS NOT YET COME Charts from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Another Overview Chart - 2 Thessalonans - Charles Swindoll COMPARISON OF 1 AND 2 THESSALONIANS 1 THESSALONIANS 2 THESSALONIANS Addresses how the Thessalonians were evangelizes as they received the Word of God Addresses how the Thessalonians are being edified, noting their progress in faith, love, and patience The imminency and importance of the Lord’s return is emphasized Misunderstandings about the Lord’s return are corrected The saints are comforted and encouraged The saints are assured of God’s judgment on His enemies Paul is concerned with the church and its hope of the rapture (meeting Christ in the air) Paul is concerned with Satan, the man of sin (Antichrist) and their destruction at the revelation (return of Christ to the earth) Contains the outstanding passage on the rapture of the saints in 4:13–18 Contains the outstanding passage concerning the day of the Lord in 2:1–12 2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, (NAS 95) We: Ro 12:1 With regard: 1Th 4:14-16)(And by: Ge 49:10 Mt 24:31 25:32 Mk 13:27 Eph 1:10 1Th 3:13, 4:17 2Ti 4:1 Greek: Erotomen (1PPAI) de humas adelphoi huper tes parousias tou kuriou hemon Iesou Christou kai hemon episunggoges ep auton: KJV Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, ESV Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, NET Now regarding the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to be with him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, NIV Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, NJB About the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, brothers, and our being gathered to him: NLT Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. YLT And we ask you, brethren, in regard to the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our gathering together unto him, Outline of Second Thessalonians from Daniel Wallace: I. Salutation (2Th 1:1-2) II. Comfort in Affliction (2Th 1:3-12) A. Perseverance in the Midst of Persecutions (2Th 1:3-10) 1. The Perseverance of the Saints (2Th 1:3-4) 2. The Vindication of God’s Righteousness (2Th 1:5-10) B. Preparation of the Saints for the Kingdom (2Th 1:11-12) III. Correction Concerning the Day of the Lord (2Th 2:1-12) A. Summary: Doctrinal Correction (2Th 2:1-2) B. Day of the Lord Yet Future (2Th 2:3-5) C. The Unveiling of the Antichrist (2Th 2:6-12) IV. Reminder Concerning their Destiny (2Th 2:13-17) A. Standing Firm in Light of this Destiny (2Th 2:13-15) B. Benediction: Encouraged Hearts (2Th 2:16-17) V. Exhortations Concerning Practical Matters (2Th 3:1-15) A. Request for Prayer (2Th 3:1-5) B. Rebuke of the Idle (2Th 3:6-15) VI. Final Greetings (2Th 3:16-18) CHRIST'S COMING OUR GATHERING Charles Swindoll summarizes Second Thessalonians: “Woven by the careful hands of a tentmaker, 2 Thessalonians adorns the New Testament like a literary tapestry. Looked at from the earthward side, we find the believers suffering in chapter 1, shaken from their composure in chapter 2, and slackening in their responsibilities in chapter 3. The underside of the tapestry seems to be a hodgepodge of dark, tangled, and loose threads. But Paul displays the heavenward side of the tapestry in 2Thessalonians 1:5-12. As we look at it from that vantage point, we gain not only perspective but encouragement to persevere—to walk through the furnace of persecution, over the seas of prophetic error, and around the pitfalls in practical living. Paul’s letter helps us make sense of our suffering, gain stability in doctrinal uncertainty, and become steadfast in principles of responsible living…Apparently, either through a revelation someone claimed to have had or a sermon preached or by a forged document that was reputedly Paul’s, word had begun to spread in this church that the ‘day of the Lord’ had already come. This false message produced two extreme results. Some were ‘shaken’ and ‘disturbed’ (2Th 2:2); others began to shirk their responsibilities, waiting in their porch swings for the Lord’s return as they whittled away their time (2Th 3:10-12) … Chapter 1: Affirmation: persevering through affliction develops maturity Chapter 2: Explanation: trusting amidst confusion produces stability Chapter 3: Exhortation: waiting with discipline cultivates responsibility.” Recall that in 2Th 1:6-10 Paul had just described the judgment of wicked unbelievers and ended with a prayer for the afflicted believers in Thessalonica: To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power; in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2Th 1:11-12) Now in 2 Thessalonians 2 Paul expounds truth which seeks to correct an error that had come into the church at Thessalonica regarding the timing of the Day of the Lord. This is a good principle to keep in mind when we encounter believers who have been led astray from the truth. There is only one remedy and that is to lead them back to the Word of Truth. Unfortunately Second Thessalonians 2 is one of those sections of Scripture where there is considerable disagreement as to the correct interpretation, even among conservative evangelical writers. The present commentary will allude to some of the issues but for more detail there are several papers listed in the resources above which one can consult for more detail. Despite the fact that there are some difficult interpretative issues, there is sufficient truth to correct false doctrine and renew our mind and that is the goal of this commentary. Robert Thomas phrases it this way " In the interest of truth about this vital hope, we must set down accurately certain features of “the day of the Lord” as a corrective to what some were falsely claiming." (The Expositor's Bible Commentary- 1976 edition) John Walvoord writes that "The second chapter of 2 Thessalonians is one of the great prophetic chapters of the Scripture. No other chapter in the entire Bible covers precisely the same points of revelation that are given here." Hiebert adds that… This paragraph constitutes the very heart of the epistle. It is crucial because of its momentous eschatological import. No other portion of the prophetic Scriptures covers precisely the same points of revelation here given. This weighty and difficult passage has been the occasion for much critical discussion and has been rejected as non-Pauline by not a few radical critics who have believed that Paul could not have written such a fantastic prophecy. Even those scholars who accept it as Pauline find it difficult because of its "fantastic apocalyptic signs." Thus Neil writes, "This section, dealing with the indications which may be expected to herald the end of the world, provides us with the weirdest piece of writing in all the epistles and one that has never yet been satisfactorily explained."
2 Tessalonicenses 2:2
To go directly to commentary HE HAS NOT YET COME Charts from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Another Overview Chart - 2 Thessalonans - Charles Swindoll COMPARISON OF 1 AND 2 THESSALONIANS 1 THESSALONIANS 2 THESSALONIANS Addresses how the Thessalonians were evangelizes as they received the Word of God Addresses how the Thessalonians are being edified, noting their progress in faith, love, and patience The imminency and importance of the Lord’s return is emphasized Misunderstandings about the Lord’s return are corrected The saints are comforted and encouraged The saints are assured of God’s judgment on His enemies Paul is concerned with the church and its hope of the rapture (meeting Christ in the air) Paul is concerned with Satan, the man of sin (Antichrist) and their destruction at the revelation (return of Christ to the earth) Contains the outstanding passage on the rapture of the saints in 4:13–18 Contains the outstanding passage concerning the day of the Lord in 2:1–12 2 Thessalonians 2:2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. (NAS 95) Greek eis to me tacheos saleuthenai (APN) apo tou noos mede throeisthai (PPN) mete dia pneumatos mete dia logou mete di epistoles os di hemon, os hoti enesteken (3SRAI) e hemera to kuriou: KJV That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ (Not the best translation) is at hand. ESV 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. NET not to be easily shaken from your composure or disturbed by any kind of spirit or message or letter allegedly from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. NIV not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. NJB please do not be too easily thrown into confusion or alarmed by any manifestation of the Spirit or any statement or any letter claiming to come from us, suggesting that the Day of the Lord has already arrived. NLT Don't be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don't believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. YLT that ye be not quickly shaken in mind, nor be troubled, neither through spirit, neither through word, neither through letters as through us, as that the day of Christ hath arrived Spirit: Dt 13:1-5 Jer 23:25-27 Mic 2:11 Mt 24:4,5,24 2Pe 2:1-3 1Jn 4:1,2 Rev 19:20 Letter: 1Th 4:15 2Pe 3:4-8 Shaken: Isa 7:2 8:12,13 26:3 Mt 24:6 Mk 13:7 Lu 21:9,19 John 14:1,27 Ac 20:23,24 Eph 5:6 1Th 3:3 The End of the World (The Great Day of His Wrath) John Martin SAINTS AT THESSALONICA DECEIVED AND DISTURBED That (purpose clause) - The aim or purpose of the request (2Th 2:1) is now stated. Quickly means rapidly, swiftly, with little or no delay, promptly. Paul's point is that they are reacting hastily and rashly to the false teaching, not giving consideration to the truths Paul had previously taught them. While God's truth is always stabilizing, it is not able to exert this effect if it is not continually recalled to one's mind. We tend to forget as exemplified by memorizing a verse on the first of the month and not reviewing it, so that by the end of the month it is almost entirely only a vague recollection (speaking from personal experience). In his letter to the Galatians Paul uses tacheos with a similar sense of responding too hastily to false teaching without pausing to consider the truth - " I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different Gospel." (Gal 1:6) As Warren
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To go directly to commentary HE HAS NOT YET COME Charts from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Another Overview Chart - 2 Thessalonans - Charles Swindoll COMPARISON OF 1 AND 2 THESSALONIANS 1 THESSALONIANS 2 THESSALONIANS Addresses how the Thessalonians were evangelizes as they received the Word of God Addresses how the Thessalonians are being edified, noting their progress in faith, love, and patience The imminency and importance of the Lord’s return is emphasized Misunderstandings about the Lord’s return are corrected The saints are comforted and encouraged The saints are assured of God’s judgment on His enemies Paul is concerned with the church and its hope of the rapture (meeting Christ in the air) Paul is concerned with Satan, the man of sin (Antichrist) and their destruction at the revelation (return of Christ to the earth) Contains the outstanding passage on the rapture of the saints in 4:13–18 Contains the outstanding passage concerning the day of the Lord in 2:1–12 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction: Greek me tis humas exapatese (3SAAS) kata medena (not even one) tropon, hoti ean me elthe (3SAAS) e apostasia proton kai apokaluphthe (3SAPS) o anthropos tes anomias o huios tes apoleias: KJV Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; ESV 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, NET Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not arrive until the rebellion comes and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. NIV Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. NJB Never let anyone deceive you in any way. It cannot happen until the Great Revolt has taken place and there has appeared the wicked One, the lost One, NLT Don't be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed-- the one who brings destruction. YLT let not any one deceive you in any manner, because -- if the falling away may not come first, and the man of sin be revealed -- the son of the destruction, No one - Mt 24:4-6 1Co 6:9 Eph 5:6 Apostasy: 1Ti 4:1-3 2Ti 3:1-3, 4:3,4 Man: 2Th 2:8-10 Da 7:25 1Jn 2:18 Rev 13:11-18 The son: John 17:12 Rev 17:8,11) DO NOT BE DECEIVED Let no one in any way (tropos) (thoroughly, completely) deceive (exapatao) you - Although "deceive" (exapatao) is not in the imperative mood, in context it is clear that Paul is issuing a strong command. And this is a command that sounds down through the ages because "in the last days difficult times will come" (2Ti 3:1+) for "many deceivers have gone out into the world." (2 John 1:7+). No one… in any way - There are two negatives in the Greek -- me = no and medeis = not (even) one, no man, nobody. One might paraphrase Paul's prohibition - "Do not let anyone by any means or any method lead you astray in any way!” Remember Ge 3:1+ "Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?" So Paul's phrase in any way refers to the manifold ways our Adversary has to achieve his one desired goal - to convince us to doubt the Truth of God and His Word of Truth. That's all it took for him to trip up Eve, and that is still his aim, an aim he will seek to achieve in any way! (cp 2Co 2:11+, Eph 6:11, 12+, 1Pe 5:8, 9+) Hampton Keathley III adds that "The use of this word (exapatao) with the phrase, “in any way” reminds us of our need to be wary of the many devices of deception Satan uses to lead us away from the truth of Scripture. We do not know what promoted the false teaching or who was involved in its promotion. It may well have been misinformed believers who did not understand God’s grace. Yes, even well meaning believers can fall prey to Satan’s deceptions, being deceived and deceiving others. Surely, then, we need first to be like the Bereans who searched the Scripture daily as their index for truth (Acts 17:11-note), and second, in that search, we need to follow Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in 2Ti 2:15-note and learn to handle the Scriptures accurately and carefully. Anyone who is not properly grounded in the truth of God’s Word (see again Eph. 4:14-note) tends to be gullible, but the sad fact is that all people, including Christians, are too easily misled by impressive personalities and spectacular appeals. The antidote to false teaching is sound teaching according to God’s Word. Thus, the apostle pointed them to the truth as it pertains to the Day of the Lord. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 Correction) John
2 Tessalonicenses 2:4
To go directly to commentary HE HAS NOT YET COME Charts from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Another Overview Chart - 2 Thessalonans - Charles Swindoll COMPARISON OF 1 AND 2 THESSALONIANS 1 THESSALONIANS 2 THESSALONIANS Addresses how the Thessalonians were evangelizes as they received the Word of God Addresses how the Thessalonians are being edified, noting their progress in faith, love, and patience The imminency and importance of the Lord’s return is emphasized Misunderstandings about the Lord’s return are corrected The saints are comforted and encouraged The saints are assured of God’s judgment on His enemies Paul is concerned with the church and its hope of the rapture (meeting Christ in the air) Paul is concerned with Satan, the man of sin (Antichrist) and their destruction at the revelation (return of Christ to the earth) Contains the outstanding passage on the rapture of the saints in 4:13–18 Contains the outstanding passage concerning the day of the Lord in 2:1–12 2 Thessalonians 2:4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God: ho antikeimenos (PMPMSN) kai huperairomenos (PMPMSN) epi panta legomenon (PPPMSA) theon e sebasma hoste auton eis ton naon tou theou os theon kathisai (AAN) apodeiknunta (PAPMSA) heauton hoti estin (3SPAI) theos: KJV Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Note: The best Greek manuscripts do not have the phrase as God. ESV 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. NET He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, and as a result he takes his seat in God's temple, displaying himself as God. NIV He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. NJB the Enemy, who raises himself above every so-called God or object of worship to enthrone himself in God's sanctuary and flaunts the claim that he is God. NLT He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God. NRS He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. YLT who is opposing and is raising himself up above all called God or worshipped, so that he in the sanctuary of God as God hath sat down, shewing himself off that he is God -- the day doth not come. Exalts: Isa 14:13 Eze 28:2,6,9 Da 7:8,25 8:9-11 11:36 Rev 13:6 So-called: 1Cor 8:5 Takes his seat: Da 8:12-14 11:45 Rev 13:6,7 Related Passages: Isaiah 14:12-15+ (LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON!!!) How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations! 13 “But you (LUCIFER, STAR OF THE MORNING) said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. 14 ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ 15“Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, To the recesses of the pit. THE CONDUCT OF THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS Who opposes (antikeimai) and exalts (huperairomai) - The man of lawlessness (or "sin" - hamartia) obviously opposes God's law (he is lawless) and anything to do with God, choosing to set himself above all gods, whether false gods or the true God. The Antichrist is the opponent or adversary of Christ. Hiebert adds that "His double activity will establish his true identity." THOUGHT - Beloved, before we go too far, perhaps it is best that we pause and ask God's Spirit to search our hearts -- "Is there any place in my life where I am actively opposing God and seeking to exalt myself over Him?" (See Gal 5:17+). Remember that the middle letter of sIn and prIde is "I" and that is that part of my old nature inherited from Adam (Ro 5:12+) that opposes God and exalts self (cf flesh)! Take a moment and pray Psalm 139:23,24+! Then confess any sin He brings to the light and beg Him to grant you repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. Read C H Spurgeon's thoughts on Ps 139:24… See whether there be in my heart, or in my life, any evil habit unknown to myself. If there be such an evil way, take me from it, take it from me. No matter how dear the wrong may have become, nor how deeply prejudiced I may have been in its favor, be pleased to deliver me there from altogether, effectually, and at once, that I may tolerate nothing which is contrary to Thy mind. As I hate the wicked in their way, so would I hate every wicked way in myself. And lead me in the way everlasting. If thou hast introduced me already to the good old way, be pleased to keep me in it, and conduct me further and further along it. It is a way which thou hast set up of old, it is based upon everlasting principles, and it is the way in which immortal spirits will gladly run for ever and ever. There will be no end to it world without end. It lasts for ever, and they who are in it last for ever. Conduct me into it, O Lord, and conduct me throughout the whole length of it. By Thy providence, by Thy word, by Thy grace, and by Thy Spirit, lead me evermore. Opposes (480)(antikeimai from anti = against, opposite + keimai = to be placed, to lie or be laid down) means literally to line up against or to lie opposite to, both ideas giving us a vivid picture of the continual conflict between the the man of lawlessness (Antichrist) and the Almighty God. The present tense indicates he continually takes his stand in opposition to God as His adversary, emphasizing that this opposition is a continuing conflict with no truce in sight! Even as the Spirit and the flesh "are in opposition (antikeimai) to one another (present tense = continually)," so too this man of flesh continually opposes God Who is spirit (Gal 5:17-note). Antikeimai is also used of those who opposed the Lord Jesus (Lk 13:17), of those who oppose His people (Lk 21:15; 1Cor 16:9; Php 1:28; 1Ti 5:14) or His doctrine (1Ti 1:10). It is interesting that antikeimai is used to translate the Hebrew verb satan in Zech 3:1 "Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan (noun) standing at his right hand to accuse (Hebrew = satan [verb] = to act as an adversary; Lxx = antikeimai) him." So in this OT passage Satan himself opposes Joshua, whereas here in the NT Satan's henchman the Antichrist opposes anything and everything that has to do with God! W E Vine notes that "The grammatical form here, i.e., the participle with the article, makes a descriptive title = “the opponent.”" Monty Mills on opposes - (lit.) the opposing one (a middle participle, so indicating his own volition in this opposition) (Letters to Thessalonica: A Study Guide to the Thessalonian Epistles,3E Ministries) As Hampton Keathley says "Everything about this future person reeks of Satan from whom he will get his authority and power (see Rev. 13:4ff+)." John describes this evil man's opposition as manifest especially via his tongue recalling that comes out of our mouth is what fills our heart (Mt 12:34-37+, Mt 15:18-20+, Lk 6:45+) in what he says: ‘He (THE LITTLE HORN = aka Anti-Christ, Man of Lawlessness) will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time (NOTE THE CRITICAL TIME PHRASE ="time, times, and half a time" = Rev 12:14+, then compare Rev 12:6+ which nails the time as 1260 days, which in turn is also in Rev 11:3+ and equates with 42 months as in Rev 11:2+, Rev 13:5+ = 3.5 years - these identical time phrases are no coincidence...they are sovereignly set from before the foundation of the world! See also The Great Tribulation) (Da 7:25+) THOUGHT - What fills your heart today…the world or God's Word? Remember Jesus' words regarding one foot in the world and one in God's Word (so to speak) - "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." (Mt 6:24+) Believers are citizens of another Kingdom, another place (Php 3:20-21+) need to continually cultivate vertical vision! And there was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies; and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. (Rev 13:5,6-note) D. Michael Marshall on exalts himself - He “will exalt himself” translates a second participle descriptive not just of his action but of his character. The image is one of extreme arrogance, the ultimate in megalomania, installing oneself not just as a god but as the greatest of the gods, the self-proclaimed ruler of all." (1, 2 Thessalonians, The New American Commentary) Exalts (is puffed up with pride) (5229)(huperairomai from huper = above or intensification of meaning + airo = lift up) means to raise one's self over, to become haughty, to become puffed up with pride and feel overly self-confident. Friberg - proudly set oneself up as something. BDAG - to have an undue sense of one’s self-importance. The present tense indicates that he continually exalts himself over God. The middle voice indicates that the Antichrist initiates this action and participates in the results of the action. The middle voice indicates the subject performs an action upon himself (Reflexive action = "exalts himself") and for his own benefit. In the only other NT use of huperairomai is by Paul after he had been transported to the third heaven and heard "inexpressible words" things (2Cor 12:2-4) he says that "Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting (huperairomai) myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me-- to keep me from exalting myself!" (2Cor 12:7) In 2Th 2:4 Satan himself energizes the Antichrist's self-exaltation. It is as if God is allowing a human being to be as "exalted" as he can be to demonstrate the futility and dreadful end of such aspirations. Oh how we need to grasp this picture of the ultimate display of human vanity, so that we might daily humble ourselves under the mighty hand of the Lord, knowing that He will exalt us at the proper time! (1Pe 5:6-note). Huperairomai is used in the Septuagint (Lxx) in 2Chr 32:33 to describe King Hezekiah being "exalted (not self exaltation but exalted by God) in the sight of all the nations." In Ps 71:16 Solomon prays "May there be abundance of grain in the earth on top of the mountains." In the Pr 31:29 description of an excellent wife King Lemuel says "Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel (Lxx = huperairomai) them all." David used huperairomai figuratively in Ps 38:4 to describe his iniquities as having "gone over (his) head."
2 Tessalonicenses 2:5
To go directly to commentary HE HAS NOT YET COME Charts from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Another Overview Chart - 2 Thessalonans - Charles Swindoll COMPARISON OF 1 AND 2 THESSALONIANS 1 THESSALONIANS 2 THESSALONIANS Addresses how the Thessalonians were evangelizes as they received the Word of God Addresses how the Thessalonians are being edified, noting their progress in faith, love, and patience The imminency and importance of the Lord’s return is emphasized Misunderstandings about the Lord’s return are corrected The saints are comforted and encouraged The saints are assured of God’s judgment on His enemies Paul is concerned with the church and its hope of the rapture (meeting Christ in the air) Paul is concerned with Satan, the man of sin (Antichrist) and their destruction at the revelation (return of Christ to the earth) Contains the outstanding passage on the rapture of the saints in 4:13–18 Contains the outstanding passage concerning the day of the Lord in 2:1–12 2 Thessalonians 2:5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? GREEK ou menmoneuete (2PPAI) hoti eti on pros humas tauta elegon (1SIAI) humin: KJV Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? ESV Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? NET Surely you recall that I used to tell you these things while I was still with you. NIV Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? NJB Surely you remember my telling you about this when I was with you? NLT Don't you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? NRS Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you? YLT Do ye not remember that, being yet with you, these things I said to you? Remember: Mt 16:9 Mk 8:18 Lk 24:6,7 Ac 20:31 While: 2Th 3:10 John 16:4 Gal 5:21 1Th 2:11 2Pe 1:15 A REMINDER TO REMEMBER Do you not - Paul's question implies an affirmative answer - "Yes, we remember!" Most commentators see Paul's question as a mild rebuke or at least a hint of impatience! They should have remembered what Paul had taught about the Second Coming, the Rapture and the Day of the Lord, and if they had remembered, they would not have been so easily shaken and disturbed by the false teaching. Vine - A reproof, albeit of a kindly sort, and in tone different from that of Galatians 1:6; had they remembered his teaching they would not have been disturbed by these alarms. Ellingworth - Phillips and some other translations change Paul’s rhetorical question, “Do you not remember?” (RSV), into a strong positive statement (Ed: Phillips paraphrase = "I expect you remember now how I talked about this when I was with you."). Paul is not, in fact, asking his readers for information. He is saying that they either must or should remember (cf. Jerusalem Bible = “surely you remember …?”; Barclay = “you cannot have forgotten …”; New English Bible = “you cannot but remember”; BJ “you remember, don’t you…?”). Don’t you remember? may be rendered as an emphatic statement, for example, “I am sure you remember,” or “you certainly must remember.” (A Handbook on Paul's Letters to the Thessalonians) Remember (recall) (3421)(mnemoneuo from mimnesko = to recall to one's mind) means to exercise memory, call something to mind, recollect, to pay attention to something and so to be warned (eg, Lk 17:32). The Analytical Lexicon has an excellent summary of the NT meanings: (1) of recollection recall, remember (Mt 16.9); (2) of solicitous concern be mindful of, think of, remember (Gal 2.10); (3) of self-reflection remember, keep in mind (Eph 2.11); (4) speak (of), (make) mention (of) (He 11.22) (Friberg, T., Friberg, B., & Miller, N. F. Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament. Baker Academic) A couple of "plugs" for remembering God's Word (which points to the Incarnate Word - Jn 1:1-note) - See discussion of Memorizing God's Word of Truth & Life and then put it into practice as a daily discipline (under grace, not law!) by beginning to Memorize Verses by Topic. You will not regret it… in the present age or the age to come (cp 1Ti 4:7, 4:8-note). Remember as your Latin teacher used to say "Repetitio est mater studiorum" which translated means "Repetition is the mother of learning." Is memorization a delight or a drudgery for you? A willing spirit changes a drudgery of duty into a labor of love. Ask God to give you a spirit willing to memorize His Word and He will, because that is His will! (Ps 119:9,11, 1Jn 5:14,15). Remembering is frequently mentioned in Scripture, Matthew 16:9 “Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up? Mark 8:18 “HAVING EYES, DO YOU NOT SEE? AND HAVING EARS, DO YOU NOT HEAR? And do you not remember, Luke 24:6; 7 “He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He sp lly "I was telling them") (3004)(lego) means to speak, to say, to teach, to exhort, to point out with words and in the imperfect tense depicts Paul as teaching these truths not just one time but over and over and over! Repetition was a well known rabbinical method of teaching. If you are disciplining yourself for godliness by regularly memorizing God's Word, the only way to assure successful recall is by repeating the verses over and over and over and even after you have them down you regularly review them! One of the most undervalued disciplines in the Christian life is memorization. If we need to eat every day (which we do) in order to maintain our physical health, then we also need to "eat" the Word of Truth EVERY day in order to maintain our spiritual health. Jesus did not stutter when he declared the principle that "Man does not live by bread alone but on every word which proceeds from the mouth of God." (Mt 4:4, Lk 4:4). And are two men who were in great need of spiritual nourishment and fortified their spirits by eating God's Word… Jeremiah who was not feeling spiritually upbeat nevertheless wrote "Thy words were found and I ate them, And Thy words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts." (Jer 15:16-note) Job gives us the "secret" of his survival declaring "“I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23:12-note) I was still with you, I telling you - First use of the singular pronoun in Second Thessalonians. The point is that Paul reminds them he had given them a personal prophecy primer! He is certain of the teaching, because he himself taught it. Either they did not remember or did not believe what he taught them. The promulgators of the erroneous prophetic teachings should have been recognized because they were doing so in opposition to his personal tutoring. Paul had given them solid food. Paul had spoken sound doctrine which was "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming." (Eph 4:12-14-note) Similarly the writer of Hebrews wrote that … But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14-note)