Spurgeon's Notes on 2 THESSALONIANS
Chapter 1 Verses 1-12
2 Thessalonians 1:1. Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians —
Paul loved to associate his fellow-workers with himself when writing to his brethren and sisters in Christ. Although he had a superior experience to theirs, he put Silvanus, and Timothy, his own son in the faith, with him as his fellow-evangelists in writing to "the church of the Thessalonians" —
2 Thessalonians 1:1. In God our Father —
What a wonderful expression! The Church is in God as God is in the Church, what a blessed dwelling-place for the people of God in all generations: "in God our Father" —
2 Thessalonians 1:1-2. Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the apostle’s usual salutation when he is writing to a Christian church. When he is writing to a minister, it is "grace, mercy, and peace," for God’s most prominent servants especially need great mercy on account of their heavy responsibilities and many shortcomings; but to the church Paul’s greeting is, "Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Thessalonians 1:3. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith grows exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other abounds;
What a kind of sacred network Christian love makes, intertwisting every believer in Christ with every other believer! "The love of every one of you all toward each other abounds." Oh, that this might really be the case in all the churches of our Lord Jesus Christ!
2 Thessalonians 1:4-5. So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure: which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God,
One of the clearest proofs of the judgment to come is to be found in the present sufferings of the saints through persecutions and tribulations; for if they, for the very reason that they love God, have to suffer here, there must be a future state and time for rectifying all this that is now so wrong.
2 Thessalonians 1:5-7. That you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you do suffer: seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled rest with us,
For us who believe in Jesus there is a long Sabbath yet to come, to be spent with the apostles and the other holy ones around the throne of God and of the Lamb, even as Paul wrote to the Hebrews, "where remains therefore a rest to the people of God."
2 Thessalonians 1:7-11. When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, —
The very people in whom Paul gloried, and over whom he rejoiced, were those for whom he continued still to pray; and he did well, for the highest state of grace needs preserving, and there is a possibility of going beyond the utmost height to which any have yet attained. Hence Paul says, "Wherefore also we pray always for you," —
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12. That our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: that the name of Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Chapter 2 Verses 1-4
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2. Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that you 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 is at hand.
In his former Epistle to the Thessalonians, Paul had written as if he expected Christ to come immediately, and the people seem to have taken his words so literally as to have lived in expectation of Christ’s advent, and perhaps to have exhibited some degree of fear concerning it. He now calms their minds by telling them that Christ would not come until certain events had happened. The history of the world was not complete, the harvest of the Church was not ripe; neither had the sin of man and especially the "man of sin" become fully developed.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. 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; who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
If this "man of sin" be not the Pope of Rome, we cannot tell who is the antichrist. Certainly, if this description were put in the Hue-and-Cry, and we were police officers, we should at once arrest the Pope as the man whose character agreed with the warrant in our hands. What does he call himself? "Vicar of Christ on earth." What does he do but set himself up to be adored and worshiped as though he were divine, making himself out to be the fountain and channel of all grace. Beloved, this "man of sin" has been revealed. Now we may look for the coming of the Son of man; but the day and the hour when he shall come no man knows; no, and not even the angels of God.
This exposition consisted of readings from 2 Thessalonians 1; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4.
Verses 1-172 Thessalonians 2:1-2. Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that you 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 is at hand.
In the Church of Christ, the teaching has always been that Christ is coming quickly, and that teaching must never be withdrawn, for he is coming quickly, as he said to John in the Revelation. At the same time, this teaching has given an opportunity to certain presumptuous people to prophesy that at such and such a time Christ will come. They know nothing about it, and their prophecies are not worth the breath they spend in uttering them, and we have today what the apostle wrote to the Thessalonians: —
2 Thessalonians 2:3. 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;
I believe that, to a large extent, this has already happened, and that the "man of sin" has been revealed. This "son of perdition" has had a long, dark, and terrible reign over myriads of men, and still he sits on the seven hills of Rome, and rules over multitudes of his fellow-sinners. But Paul held that it was consistent to expect the Lord to come quickly, and yet to know that certain events must occur before he did come. That is just the condition, I think, to which a man’s mind will come if he diligently and impartially reads the Scriptures, especially the prophetic parts of them. The Lord will come in such an hour as we think not, yet there are clear indications of certain things which are to happen before he does come.
2 Thessalonians 2:4. Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
It has been said that the Pope of Rome is infallible, that his interpretation of Scripture, whatever it may be, is as valid as the Scripture itself, and that whatever he chooses to decree must be obeyed by the faithful. Such are some of the pretensions even at this day of the "man of sin."
2 Thessalonians 2:5-7. Remember you not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now you know what withholds that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity does already work:
There were certain reasons why that gigantic iniquity should begin to be developed even while the Roman Empire was in power to keep it in check; and when that passed away, there was the opportunity for "the mystery of iniquity" to become the despot of the world.
2 Thessalonians 2:7-10. Only he who now lets will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
This is the last sin of all, that ungodly men do not receive "the love of the truth." If they were themselves true, they would love the truth; if the grace of God was in them, his own precious truth would be prized by them above everything else, but when men finally reject the truth by which they might be saved, God visits them with terrible judgments.
2 Thessalonians 2:11-17. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.
So may it be, for Jesus’ sake! Amen.
Chapter 3 Verses 1-5
2 Thessalonians 3:1. Finally, brethren, pray for us,
"Pray for us," says the apostle, "pray for myself and the brethren who are with me, pray for all the apostles and preachers of the Word." "Finally, brethren." If this were the last word we had to say to you, we would make just this request, "Finally, brethren, pray for us." You cannot tell how much God’s servants are helped by the prayers of his people. The strongest man in Israel will be the better for the prayers of the weakest saint in Zion. If you can do nothing else, you can pray for us; therefore, day and night, be you at the mercy-seat on our behalf: "Finally, brethren, pray for us."
2 Thessalonians 3:1. That the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
"You Thessalonians enjoy the power of the Word. Pray that it may be so everywhere else." Paul is said to have written this Epistle from Corinth or Athens, and he longed that there the Word of God might prevail as it had done at Thessalonica. Pray just now that, in every part of the world, God’s Word may have free course. There are many who stand in the way of it, pray God that they may be swept out of the way, that the Word of the Lord may have free course. We want the gospel to run, and spread, until the whole earth shall know its blessed message.
2 Thessalonians 3:2. And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
All men are not candid, or true: "all men have not faith."
2 Thessalonians 3:3. But the Lord is faithful,
What a wonderful contrast this is, and how suggestive of comfort! "All men have not faith. But the Lord is full of faith, faithful." True, he keeps all his promises: "The Lord is faithful."
2 Thessalonians 3:3-5. Who shall establish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that you both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts —
You see, Paul does not command the Thessalonians to do anything but what he can pray God to work in them. The command of a man, by itself, is nothing, but when he only asks that to be done which he can pray God to do, then there is power about his message: "We have confidence in the Lord touching you, that you both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts" —
2 Thessalonians 3:5. Into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
May the Lord hear that prayer for all of us, for Christ Jesus’ sake! Amen.
This exposition consisted of readings from 2 Thessalonians 2 and 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5.
Verses 1-182 Thessalonians 3:1. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
A most important request. What can the ministers of the gospel do, if their people cease to pray for them? Even if their own prayers be heard, as they will be, and a measure of blessing be given, yet it will be but a scant measure, compared with what it would be if all the saints united in their intercessions. Whenever we see the word of God very mighty in one place it ought to encourage us to pray that it may be the same in another place, for it is the same word and the hearts of all men are alike. The same spirit can give the same blessing in every place. Hence Paul says, "Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified even as it is with you." Now, if any of you in your church are enjoying rich prosperity, pray for others, that they may have the same. And, if you are without it, take courage from any church which you see prospering, and ask the Lord to do the same things for you. Very likely if we prayed more for ministers they would be more blessed to us. There is many a man who can not "hear" his minister and the reason may be that God never hears him pray for his minister.
2 Thessalonians 3:2. And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
I really do not know which is the worst to put up with — an unreasonable man or a wicked man. A wicked man may do you all sorts of mischief, but you soon know him. But an unreasonable man — you do not know where to find him, and he can attack you from all sorts of places. Alas! there are some very unreasonable Christians — very good in some points, but very stupid; and a stupid man may set a village on a blaze quite as easily as a wicked man. The stupid man’s accident may be as dangerous as another man’s design. Pray also "that we may be delivered from wicked and unreasonable men, for all men have not faith," and all men have not sense, I may also add.
2 Thessalonians 3:3. But the Lord is faithful,
There is the mercy. Whether men be fools or knaves, the Lord is faithful.
2 Thessalonians 3:3. Who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.
We are taught to pray for this grace. We are here told that we shall have it. Since God is faithful he will keep us from evil.
2 Thessalonians 3:4. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that you both do and will do the things which we command you.
Our obedience to apostolic ordinances should be of the present and of the future. It should be fixed in our souls. What the Lord has commanded in his church by his apostles should be carefully regarded by us.
2 Thessalonians 3:5. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
The two things go together. When we love God, we long for the glory and the appearing of his Son. The most loving spirits in the world have had most an eye to that glorious coming. Note Enoch who walked with God and prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes." Note Daniel, "a man greatly beloved," and a seer who looked into the future and saw the Ancient of Days. Mark also John who leaned his head on Jesus’ bosom, we may say of him that he spoke more of the second coming than all the rest of the apostles. When the heart gets right away from earth and is set upon God, then it is that we begin to long for the manifestation of the Lord from Heaven.
2 Thessalonians 3:6. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
Paul had been to Thessalonica, and had given oral teaching, and now he commits to the book what he had spoken; but he bids them take care not to associate with those who willfully broke the ordinances of the church which he had taught them. There are some brethren with whom it is ill for us to associate, lest they do us hurt, and it is ill for them that we associate with them, lest we seem to assist them in their evil deeds. Especially is this so in the case of brethren of the class that he is about to describe — mischief makers, troublers, people that can always tell you the gossip of a congregation, that can tear a neighbor’s character to pieces, that are able to perceive spots on the sun; people who delight in parading the fault of God’s own children, and are never so happy as when they are making others unhappy by what they have to retail. These are the kind of people to whom you should give a wide berth.
2 Thessalonians 3:7-9. For yourselves know how you ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; neither did we eat any man’s bread for nothing; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us.
The apostle had a right to be supported by those among whom he labored. He always insists upon that right; but for their good, knowing the tendency of that age, he himself abjured that right; and he is indignant that there should be others who did nothing whatever as to Christian ministry, but who availed themselves of the charity of the church at Thessalonica so as to be able to live upon it without work.
2 Thessalonians 3:10. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
A very capital rule, indeed. There are some so very spiritually minded that to soil their hands is also to soil their conscience. They are afraid of hard work. They think it is unspiritual; whereas there is nothing in the world, next to the grace of God, that is more likely to keep men out of mischief than having plenty to do.
2 Thessalonians 3:11. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
Not doing their own business, and therefore putting their noses into everybody else’s business. If they had minded their own affairs, they would have left other people alone. There are such people alive now. We must not be surprised if we meet them seeing that they were alive in the apostle’s days; if they troubled him it must be small marvel if they trouble us.
2 Thessalonians 3:12. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
The best bread and the sweetest, is our own. We are to work for it. We are to work with quietness. I suppose to some that is very hard work, but they must labor after it, for quietness is a Christian grace, it is indeed a high Christian attainment.
2 Thessalonians 3:13-15. But you, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
This kind of Christian discipline ought to be carried out still, in reference not only to this one ease of busybodies, but to all other cases. When a church grows large, there can be no efficient discipline from one man, or from all his officers with him. There must be the discipline of the whole church towards itself, each Christian, according to his measure of grace, seeking the good of the whole; for while every man must bear his own burden, yet is it said, "Bear you one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." "Look not every man upon his own things, but also upon the things of others." The careful desire to promote the. Christian welfare of all our fellow members is a very different thing from being busybodies. We must have equal desire not in any way to interfere where we should not.
2 Thessalonians 3:16. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means.
What a sweet blessing! And how he heaps the words together, as if peace was one of the greatest blessings a church could have. Indeed, dear brethren it is the essential to all other blessings. I am quite certain that we never should have enjoyed here the long years of perpetual prosperity which we have had, if it had not pleased the Lord to keep us always in peace. So may we be for many and many a year to come! May no root of bitterness ever spring up to trouble us, but may this text be fulfilled — "Now the Lord of peace give you peace always by all means."
2 Thessalonians 3:16-17. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
I suppose he always wrote a part of each epistle. Probably through the failure of his eyesight he was unable to write the whole of it with his own hands, but employed someone of his brethren to be his amanuensis. But, in order that every one might know the epistle to be genuine, there was always a little of Paul’s writing, sometimes in big text-hand, as when he says to one church, "You see how large a letter I have written unto you with my own hand."
2 Thessalonians 3:18. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
So with great courtesy and a comprehensive prayer he finishes his letter.