July 31, 2014 2nd Thessalonians Chapter 1

2nd Thessalonians Chapter 1

Originally posted Wednesday September 17, 2008 

General Comment: The second letter to the Thessalonians was written approximately four decades after the first. The writer was likely one of Paul's disciples, possibly Timothy, who would have had the authority to write on behalf of Paul. Although some may not understand the point of another person writing in Paul's name we can refer to previous examples of Isaiah, Jeremiah and the Gospel of John as examples where both the authority and teachings of revered men of God were preserved and amended for later generations. In the case of this letter, new issues have arisen in the last decade of the century. Coincident with Roman persecution there was a heightened interest in apocalyptic, end of the world and final judgment themes stirring the imagination. The expectation that Christ was about to return and that God was about to cleanse the world of all evil was "in the air." This same period would draw literary support from Joel, Daniel and Jewish apocalyptic books. It would produce the Book of Revelation and a number of additional non-canonical Jewish writings of similar content. The basic Gospel message of Jesus as preached by Paul was assailed from all sides threatening the unity of what he had begun. This is the context of 2nd Thessalonians in which the community is enjoined to unify around the writer's understanding of what is to come.

2nd Thessalonians Chapter 1:1-4 Salutation and Thanksgiving

The writer has used 1st Thess. as a model with a similar salutation addressed by Paul, Silvanus and Timothy. A subtle change replaces the phrase "the Father" with "our Father" while "the Lord Jesus Christ" is retained. This may seem incidental, an oversight in form but it also may, as we will later read, represent the greater emphasis on the role of Christ as God's agent of the end times. God is not diminished, but "the" Lord is "the" cosmic opposite and ultimate defeater of all other lords, including the one called Caesar, recognized as the lord and savior of the world in Roman Imperial religion.

The writer gives thanks through his praise of the believers growing faith and the communal love which is expressed through that faith. Such steadfast faith and love is a source for the writer's boasting about the Thessalonians to other churches, especially in light of how they have withstood persecutions and afflictions which might have demoralized and weakened those of lesser faith. Because this letter would be widely circulated the thanksgiving praise of the believers' endurance will serve as encouragement and be a model for others to follow.

2nd Thessalonians Chapter 1:5-12 Judgment at Christ's Coming

All four Gospels accept and develop the Jewish idea of the last judgment. In Judaism God is the judge. In early Palestinian Christianity the title Son of Man was adapted from Daniel where it referred to a liberated Israel having been delivered from its enemies (Syria) by God (Dan. 7:13-14). In Christianity the title became that of the cosmic figure of the resurrected Jesus who would return on the clouds as the judge or agent of God's judgment of all humanity - the separation of the wheat from the chaff, the sheep from the goats. Neither Paul nor his successors use this title in the letters attributed to Paul. In all cases it is the "Lord Jesus" who is "revealed from heaven" who implements the "righteous judgment of God." God has already made a judgment between believers and non-believers and the "Lord Jesus" will return to put that judgment into effect.

The writer implies that the "persecutions and afflictions" now being suffered are evidence of God's "righteous judgment." They are the evidence that expose the evil of the perpetrators who are already condemned as compared to the believers who are steadfast in their faith. Indeed, their endurance under threat is evidence of the believers' worthiness to be included in the kingdom of God. There is no indication that these persecutions and afflictions are a sign of an imminent second coming. This serves as a caution against undo enthusiasm among those who interpret the time of suffering in this way. The writer reminds the Thessalonians that the Lord Jesus has yet to be "revealed from heaven." There is more to come.

The judgment of God's justice which will be implemented by the "Lord Jesus" will afflict the afflicter and give relief to the afflicted. Thus the faith of the believers' will be vindicated. The writer uses the visionary language peculiar to all apocalyptic literature: mighty angels, flaming fire, vengeance upon those who reject God and "do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus" (inclusive of Jews and Gentiles). Vengeance is characterized as a "punishment of eternal destruction." This is defined as separation "from the presence [and glory] of the Lord" when he returns and is welcomed and praised (glorified) by the saints - all who have believed in the testimony of the Gospel as proclaimed. "Eternal destruction" as separation is not annihilation or non-existence. It is banishment from the presence of the Lord of all who are not believers.

In view of the writer's interpretation of the judgment, he mentions, as a way of admonishment, his constant prayer that God, through sanctification, will "make them worthy" of their status as those called to faith. In this way and in them the name of Jesus will be glorified just as they will be glorified (in heaven) in him.