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Studies in II Thessalonians

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Studies in II Thessalonians STUDIES IN THE EPISTLE OF SECOND THESSALONIANS Bob Buchanan 1 RUINS OF AN ANCIENT FORUM IN MODERN THESSALONIKI 2 INTRODUCTION TO SECOND THESSALONIANS PLEASE NOTE : The following sections, Roman Numerals “I” and “II ,” concerning both the CITY of Thessalonica, as well as the beginning of the CHURCH in that City, are being copied and re-printed from the booklet on FIRST Thessalonians . I. The CITY of THESSALONICA A. The modern name of the city is “Thessaloniki ” or “Salonika ” B. In 315 B. C., Cassander , who had been a general under Alexander the Great , built a new City. C. The City was named after “Thessalonica ” the daughter of Philip II of Macedon . She was also the step-sister of Alexander the Great . D. Thessalonica was conquered by the ROMANS in 168 B. C. and became the provincial capital . Later, it was made the CAPITAL of the entire region . E. The City was located on the famous EGNATIAN WAY , the Roman road that crossed Macedonia from East to West . Some of the remains of this highway may still be seen in that area. Many people walked on this road on their way to the coast and then to Italy and the City of Rome . The City was a TRADE CENTER , and had a natural harbor with extensive shipping. F. Thessalonica was conquered by the TURKS in 1430 A. D. and by the GREEKS in 1912 A. D.. G. In the days of the apostle Paul, Thessalonica was an important city , but also a wicked city . The population included GREEKS, ROMANS, and JEWS . H. The RUINS of the ancient City of Thessalonica, known by the apostle Paul and first century Christians, are covered by the MODERN THESSALONIKI . The ruins of the ancient forum seen in the picture on the previous page of this booklet were at one time covered by a BUS TERMINAL I. Today, “THESSALONIKI ” is the second largest city in Greece , second only to Athens , and has a population of more than 320,000 people , The general area has more than 700,000 people . II. The BEGINNING of the CHURCH of our Lord at Thessalonica in the days of the apostle Paul 3 A. Please examine Acts 17:1-9 to see the initial preaching of the gospel in Thessalonica. B. This evangelism took place on the SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY of Paul 1. While at PHILIPPI, Paul’s companions were SILAS, TIMOTHY, and LUKE 2. Paul and Silas had been joined by TIMOTHY at LYSTRA (Acts 15:40; 16:1-5). 3. It is observed that LUKE joined the team at TROAS . This is seen in the use of the pronoun, “ WE ” in Acts 16:10-13. The author of Acts, LUKE , included himself in the group. 4. However, when Paul and his companions left Philippi and went to Thessalonica , a distance of about 160 kilometers , Luke used the pronoun “ THEY. ” This indicates that Luke was NOT WITH THEM . He evidently remained in Philippi . Examine Acts 17:1, 10, etc.. C. In Thessalonica, Paul reasoned in the Jewish SYNAGOGUE for THREE SABBATH DAYS (Acts 17:2) 1. Paul preached the RESURRECTED CHRIST (Acts 17:3, 4) 2. The jealous JEWS raised up a MOB , and opposition began (Acts 17:5-9) 3. “SOME ” of the Jews believed , as well as many “God-fearers ” among the Greeks , and a number of leading women (Acts 17:4) 4. From this we learn that GENTILES obeyed the gospel in Thessalonica. Paul stated that they had “turned to God from idols ” (I Thessalonians 1:9, 10). Read also First Thessalonians 2:14. 5. From Thessalonica, Paul went to the city of BEREA (Acts 17:10-13). 5. NOTE : It is not possible to determine exactly HOW LONG Paul remained at Thessalonica. III. CIRCUMSTANCES existing in the CHURCH at Thessalonica at the time of writing of II Thessalonians. This epistle was probably written in the NEAR FUTURE AFTER the writing of FIRST Thessalonians . The date of writing is UNCERTAIN . (See the possible DATE below). 4 A. One of the challenges facing the church was the CONTINUATION of PERSECUTION in Thessalonica. 1. Review the record in the book of Acts concerning the early persecution in that City (Acts 17:1-9). Perhaps, when Paul left the City (Acts 17:10), the persecution may have become LESS for a time, and then increased again . We cannot be certain about this. 2. Also, review Paul’s discussion of the “affliction ” experienced by the church which is seen in FIRST Thessalonians 1:6; 2:14-16. 3. However, their suffering, their “affliction ” was CONTINUING at the time of the writing of SECOND Thessalonians 1:3-7. B. A SECOND CHALLENGE in the Thessalonian church at the time Paul wrote II Thessalonians was their MISUNDERSTANDING about the TIME of the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus (II Thessalonians 2:1-12). They thought that “the day of the Lord has come .” (II Thessalonians 2:2). C. A THIRD CHALLENGE was the PROBLEM of “IDLENESS ” in the congregation at Thessalonica (II Thessalonica 3:6-15). 1. Observe that even in FIRST Thessalonians 4:11, 12, Paul exhorted them strongly to “WORK !” 2. Also, in I Thessalonians 5:14, the church was to ”admonish ” the “UNRULY ” (“ ataktous ”). This word is the same root word that is used for “idle ” in II Thessalonians 3:6, 11. Therefore, it seems that this problem had continued among the Thessalonian brothers. IV. The inspired AUTHOR and DATE of writing of Second Thessalonians A. The inspired AUTHOR 1. PAUL was the primary author , but SILVANUS and TIMOTHY were also included in the greeting (II Thessalonians 1:1). 2. Just as he did in FIRST Thessalonians, Paul used the pronouns “ WE ” (II Thessalonians 1:3, 4; 2:1, 13; 3:4, 8-11, etc.) and the word, “ US ” (2:15; 3:1). This suggests that he was including his companions , Silvanus and Timothy , in the exhortations which he gave to the Thessalonians. 5 3. However, Paul also used the pronoun “I” as he emphasized that, “while I was still with you, I was telling you these things” (II Thessalonians 2:5). 4. Note also that Paul wrote the greeting at the end of the epistle WITH HIS OWN HAND , and used the pronoun “I” again (II Thessalonians 3:17). B. The DATE of the writing of SECOND Thessalonians 1. Because of the CONTINUING CIRCUMSTANCES at Thessalonica, it seems that SECOND Thessalonians was written NOT LONG AFTER the writing of FIRST Thessalonians. 2. II Thessalonians was probably written while Paul remained at Corinth for 18 months on the second missionary journey (Acts 18:11). If so, this would be approximately 50-52 A. D . V. Paul’s REASONS or PURPOSES for writing the epistle of SECOND Thessalonians A. Paul desired to express his THANKFULNESS for their FAITHFULNESS . Read II Thessalonians 1:3, 4. B. To ENCOURAGE the Thessalonian disciples to continue in that faithfulness and obedience to the teaching Paul had given them . Read II Thessalonians 2:13-15; 3:3-15. C. He desired to CORRECT wrong ideas concerning the SECOND COMING of Christ (II Thessalonians 2:1-12). D. Paul urged proper DISCIPLINE of UNRULY or IDLE brothers (II Thessalonians 3:6-15) (Kelcy , pages 127, 128). VI. IMPORTANT and RELEVANT LESSONS from II Thessalonians A. A beautiful description of the “GODHEAD ” 1. GOD the “FATHER ” a. He is the Christian’s heavenly “FATHER ” and He is the ONE who gives COMFORT, GRACE, PEACE, LOVE and HOPE (II Thessalonians 1:2; 2:16; 3:5). 6 b. God the Father has chosen Christians for SALVATION (II Thessalonians 2:13). c. God’s JUDGMENT will be a “ RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT ” (II Thessalonians 1:5). 2. JESUS CHRIST the SON a. Because the name of Christ is “united” or “coupled ” with the Father in extending “ GRACE ,” His DEITY is clearly seen. See II Thessalonians 1:1, 2; 2:12. b. At His SECOND COMING , He will appear in “FLAMING FIRE ” to execute “vengeance ” (II Thessalonians 1:7-9). c. He will destroy the “man of lawlessness ” (II Thessalonians 2:8). d. JESUS IS LORD ! (II Thessalonians 1:1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 12; 2:1, 8, 14, 16; 3:6, 12) 3. The HOLY SPIRIT is involved in the “SANCTIFICATION ” of the Christian (II Thessalonians 2:13). B. The Thessalonians were “ IN GOD ” and “ IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ” (II Thessalonians 1:1). This is where SALVATION IS FOUND ! 1. EXAMINE HOW a person COMES “ INTO CHRIST ” (Galatians 3:26, 27; Romans 6:1-5). 2. God had “CHOSEN ” the Thessalonians FOR SALVATION (II Thessalonians 2:13). 3. God had “CALLED ” them through Paul’s gospel (II Thessalonians 2:14). Observe that TRUTH is also involved (II Thessalonians 2:10-12, 13). C. There is an emphasis in II Thessalonians on CHRISTIAN LIVING ! 1. Paul gave THANKS for the increasing FAITH and the increasing LOVE they had FOR EACH OTHER (II Thessalonians 1:3). 2. They should be STEADFAST and FAITHFUL in the midst of suffering for the Kingdom (II Thessalonians 1:5). 7 3. The Thessalonians should live in PEACE and NOT be disturbed or shaken from their “composure” (II Thessalonians 2:2). 4. They should NOT permit anyone to DECEIVE them (II Thessalonians 2:3) 5. They should be COMFORTED and STRENGTHENED in heart and should practice “EVERY GOOD WORK AND WORD ” (II Thessalonians 2:17). 6. They should be engaged in “HONEST TOIL ” (II Thessalonians 3:7-10). 7. The Thessalonians should practice CORRECTIVE DISCIPLINE against the “UNRULY ” but show love and “admonish him as a brother ” (II Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15) (Kelcy , page 133).
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