Tyndale Open Study Notes2 Thessalonians 2

False teachings about the Day of the Lord had upset the Thessalonian church (2:1–2). Paul reminds them that two events will happen before that day: a great rebellion and the revealing of the man of lawlessness (2:3–12). Christ will destroy this man when he returns (2:3, 8). Those deceived by him will also encounter judgment (2:9–12).

When our Lord Jesus Christ returns, God will gather all his followers to meet him (1:7–10; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; 4:15–5:2; 5:23). This will happen during the resurrection of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18).

• The Thessalonian Christians had previously asked Paul when the Day of the Lord would come (1 Thessalonians 5:1–11). Now, a false teaching claimed this day had already passed (see 2 Timothy 2:18). This caused the church to doubt their faith and feel scared.

• any spirit or message or letter: The source of this teaching might have been a false prophecy, a sermon they did not understand, or a letter someone falsely claimed to be written by Paul.

• Two events will happen before the Day of the Lord (2:2).

• Both Jewish and Christian teachings predict a great rebellion against God before the end of time (Matthew 24:11–14; 1 Timothy 4:1).

• the man of lawlessness: He is without law or against law. Sin defines his character.

• the son of destruction: The focus is the lawless man’s own destruction, not just on the destruction he causes (2 Thessalonians 2:8).

• exalt himself: Like other Roman cities, Thessalonica built temples to worship the emperor (king). This religion (cult) was the model for the worship described here.

• he will seat himself in the temple of God: Antiochus Epiphanes polluted the temple in Jerusalem in 167 BC (see Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11). This might have anticipated the event prophesied here (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14). It could also refer to Emperor Caligula's attempt to place his image in the temple in AD 40.

• Alternatively, the temple might be a temple of the emperor. Here, of God could mean of the god. They will build this temple to honor the man of lawlessness. It is not necessarily the temple in Jerusalem.

• proclaiming himself to be God (Ezekiel 28:2–10): In the first century AD, people often gave divine titles to the emperor.

what is now restraining him: People have many ideas about who this person is, including:

• God,

• the Holy Spirit,

• the church,

• the good news about Jesus (the gospel),

• Paul,

• the emperor,

• the Roman Empire, or

• the government.

Alternatively, the term may refer to something or someone who comes before the man of lawlessness, an agent of lawlessness active at that time (2:7–8).

In Greek literature, this expression could describe being possessed by a demon (evil angel). This figure would prepare the way for the man of lawlessness when his time comes (2:3, 8).

• The power of the coming man of lawlessness is already at work in secret, similar to the antichrists in 1 John 2:18 (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3–6).

• the mystery (Greek mustērion): This term is often used for ceremonies in mystery religions (see 2 Thessalonians 2:6).

• at work: This suggests a spiritual intervention, whether divine or evil (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Ephesians 2:2).

• the one who now restrains: This might be someone opposing the man of lawlessness, someone possessed by a demon (evil angel), or Satan, the one who possesses (2 Thessalonians 2:9; see study note on 2:6).

• Paul warns about the destruction of the lawless one (see 2:3). This man This figure pretends to be divine, puts his cult above all other worship (2:4), and gains power from Satan (2:9). However, the Lord Jesus will completely destroy him (Isaiah 11:4).

• majesty: This refers to Christ’s appearance, in Greek, epiphaneia ("epiphany") (1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 1:10; 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13). This is another way to describe Christ’s coming or revelation (2 Thessalonians 2:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7). In ancient writings, an epiphany was when a god appeared or showed divine power, inspiring worship.

Christ will appear in royal and divine power. It is his parousia, meaning "presence" or "arrival" or "coming" (2:1, 8; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23). The coming (parousia) of the lawless one will also include a royal entrance.

As seen in other parts of Scripture (Exodus 9:12; 2 Chronicles 18:22), God sometimes allows people to follow the sin or delusion they prefer instead of the truth (Romans 1:24, 26, 28; 11:8).

God will find them guilty because they do not believe the truth (see 1:6–9). They chose to believe the lie of the man of lawlessness instead (see 2:10 and 2:9–10).

• He called you: God calls his chosen ones to himself through the preaching of the good news about Jesus (1:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 4:7; 5:24).

• Those who suffer because of the Christian faith will ultimately share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:2; 8:17–18; Colossians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:12).

Since the Thessalonian church began, Paul has cared about the stability of their faith (1 Thessalonians 3:2, 5, 8; 4:1–2). He also cares about their commitment to his teachings (2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 11:2; 15:3; see Jude 1:3).

eternal comfort and good hope: These go beyond both death and uncertainty about the near future.

• Paul’s prayer echoes the purpose of Timothy’s visit to the church. He came to strengthen and encourage the Thessalonian Christians in their faith (1 Thessalonians 3:2).

• He wanted to encourage and strengthen them because of their fears and doubts (2 Thessalonians 2:1–12; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11).