About This Book
Second Thessalonians addresses confusion about Christ's return and the Day of the Lord, correcting false teachings that had disturbed the Thessalonian church. Paul opens with thanksgiving for their growing faith and love despite persecutions and afflictions they endure. This is evidence of God's righteous judgment that they may be considered worthy of God's kingdom for which they suffer. When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, He will inflict vengeance on those who don't know God and don't obey the gospel.
They will suffer eternal destruction away from the Lord's presence. Paul's main concern is correcting false teaching about the Day of the Lord. Someone claimed, perhaps by spirit, spoken word, or forged letter from Paul, that the Day of the Lord had already come. Paul urges them not to be deceived—that day won't come unless the rebellion comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god, proclaiming himself to be God.
Something is restraining this lawless one now, but when the restrainer is removed, the lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of His mouth and bring to nothing by His appearing. The lawless one's coming is by Satan's activity with false signs and wonders, deceiving those who are perishing because they refused to love the truth. God chose the Thessalonians for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. Stand firm and hold to the traditions taught by Paul.
Paul addresses idleness—some are living in idleness, not busy at work but busybodies. In Paul's time with them, he gave this command: if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. Believers should never tire of doing good. If anyone doesn't obey this letter, note that person and have nothing to do with him, yet don't regard him as an enemy but warn him as a brother.