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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE SECOND LETTER TO THE THESSALONIANS

CHAPTER ONE:
“WAITING FOR RELIEF AT THE REVELATION”

[“Worthy Calling”]
Key Word: Endurance
Theme Verse: 7

2 Thessalonians 1:1-2 – From… to

2TH1:1 Paul, Silvanus 1 and Timothy 2 – to the congregation in Thessalonica 3 in union with our Father God 4 and the Master Jesus Christ –

1	Silvanus: Also named Silas, he was a traveling companion of Paul and is mentioned as co-writer in a number of letters. Compare 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and 1 Peter 5:12 (see notes on 1 Peter 5:12). Search Silas or Silvanus.

2	Timothy: The co-author of 1 Thessalonians and a traveling companion of Paul. His name occurs 27 times in the Christian Bible. Search Timothy. He is listed with Paul in the first verse of several epistles.

3	Thessalonica: The city is mentioned first in Acts 17:1 during Paul’s missionary journey. The fruitage was enormous. (Acts 17:4) Paul does say the Boreans were more noble in their search of the Scriptures. (Acts 17:10, 11) The modern city is still there named Salonica.

4

God: Occurs 22 times in 2 Thessalonians. Generally Paul uses “The God” And “Master” 19 times in connection with Jesus Christ. It is possible YHWH should occur several times. The term “holy spirit” does not occur in 2 Thessalonians though the Pneuma (spirit) is mentioned only at 2 Thessalonians 2:13.

2TH1:2 May you have unmerited charity and peaceful harmony 5 from God [the] Father and [the] Master Jesus. 6

5	Unmerited charity and peaceful harmony: Or, “unmerited favor.” Paul’s standard formula. (See 1 Thessalonians 1:2) Search for notes under unmerited favor in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

6	Father God and Master Jesus Christ: Note the holy ghost is missing. See notes at 1 Thessalonians 1:2. In A New Version for the Third Millennium [NCMM] “Master” is used generally throughout with regard to Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-5 – Thank God for Growing Faith

2TH1:3 We are obligated to thank The God 7 constantly for all of you, brothers, just as it is fitting. For your deep conviction continues to grow in abundance, 8 and the compassionate affection of each one of you for one another continues to increase. 9

7	Obligated to thank The God: Paul usually begins his letter either with a prayer or a statement about his prayers in their behalf. (See notes on 1 Thessalonians 1:3)

8

Your deep conviction continues to grow: Or, RSV: growing abundantly; TCN: wonderful growth; KNX: faith thrives so well; NEB: faith increases mightily; NAS: greatly enlarged. Getting off to a good start the little home church has increased in number in the few months since Paul’s early letter. Faith must always grow or it will become doubt.

9	Compassionate affection… continues to increase: Or, love; benevolent empathy; KJV: charity. They have responded to Paul’s counsel in 1 Thessalonians 4:9. See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on 1 John 3:23.

2TH1:4 So we take pride in you 10 among all the congregations of God because of your steadfastness and faith 11 despite all your persecutions and afflictions 12 which you continue to endure.

10	We take pride in you: Or, KJV: glory in you; TCN: speak with pride; WMS: always boasting. Paul praises the congregations of Macedonia to the Corinthians. (2 Corinthians 7:14)

11	Your steadfastness and faith: Compare 1 Thessalonians 3:7.

12

Persecutions and afflictions: Paul begins to use a word he will go on to use several times: THLIPSESIN [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #2347, a pressing, pressing together, pressure]. It comes from the root “to press” and thus “oppression.” They have listened to Paul’s former counsel. (1 Thessalonians 3:3) See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Revelation 7:14 regarding the Great Oppression.

2TH1:5 This is proof of The God’s righteous judgment 13 so that you may be found worthy of The God’s Kingdom 14 for which you continue to suffer.

13	This is proof of The God’s righteous judgment: Or, manifest token [KJV], proof [RHM], plain token [WEY], proof positive [MOF]. The faithful endurance of oppression and persecution is proof of God’s righteous judgment. (Luke 20:35)

14

Found worthy of The God’s Kingdom: Or, counted worthy [KJV], reckoned worthy [TCN], show yourselves worthy [WMS]. Endurance of oppression is part of the sanctification process leading to qualifying for the Kingdom. See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:12. They are not “worthy” merely because they have received Christ and begun the course of discipleship. They must endure. Research the word endurance. (Matthew 7:21-23)

2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 – Relief from Oppression at the Revelation

2TH1:6 Therefore, indeed, it is just and fair for God to punish 15 those who cause you so much oppression.

15	Just and fair for God to punish: Possibly an allusion to Isaiah 66:4. The Judge of All the Earth determines it is just and fair to reward oppressors with oppression. Compare Romans 12:19. See the Biblical Article God and Judgment.

2TH1:7 But to grant you who suffer such oppression relief together with us 16 when the Master Jesus is revealed from the sky 17 with all his mighty angels 18 [Matthew 24:30, 31; Luke 17:30] in a flaming fire

16

Relief: The Greek is ANESIN [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #425, a loosening, relaxing] and literally means “to let up” or “rest.” Or, TCN: relief. Rest or relief from oppression and suffering will occur at death for the majority of Saints. (See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Revelation 6:9-11; Revelation 14:13) Judging from 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 the living Saints will find rest and relief at the Parousia. Paul begins to take up the subject discussed in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17.

17

When the Master Jesus is revealed from the sky: Or, heaven. The Greek is EN TE APOCALYPSEI, or, “in the un-veiling.” “Heaven” here could mean “sky” where clouds form Or, TCN: appearing; WMS: unveiling; NJB: appears. Jesus and others taught that upon his royal return (Parousia) he would be visible to all living on earth. (Matthew 24:30, 31; Luke 17:24, 30; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 9:27) Compare Acts 3:20, 21. The Master is revealed or appears at his presence [coming, return, arrival] with his living and dead disciples. (Matthew 24:29-31) The idea of this “appearing” is possibly drawn from Daniel 12:1 and the Hebrew (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5975 `AMAD) which may be rendered “appear” as the Jewish Publication Society's Tanakh has it. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible states: “1a6) to arise, appear, come on the scene, stand forth…” When Paul had mentioned the “archangel” in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 he surely was aware that Michael was foretold to “appear” at the time of the Great Oppression. Jesus Christ is foretold not to remain forever invisible in the heavens but to make his visible appearance to humanity following the Great Oppression. (See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Matthew 24:29-31)

18	With all his mighty angels: When Messiah Yeshua first appears, before becoming present (parousia) with his Saints, he arrives with “his angels.” Compare Matthew 24:31, Matthew 25:31, and Revelation 12:7. The phrase is likely a conflate of Matthew 24:30, 31 and Luke 17:30.

2TH1:8 as he inflicts vengeance upon those who never knew God and also upon those who do not obey 19 [Isaiah 64:14; Jeremiah 10:25] the Good News of our Master Jesus.

19	Those who do not obey: This is conflate or compound paraphrase of Isaiah 66:4, 15 and Jeremiah 10:25. Who are “those”? The context would suggest these are those who are oppressing the Saints and not necessarily humankind in general.

2TH1:9 They will suffer the punishment of everlasting destruction 20 and being cast out from YHWH’s presence 21[Psalm 68:34] and from the glory of his might, 22 [Isaiah 2:10]

20	Everlasting destruction: Or, extinction, annihilation; TCN: everlasting ruin; GDS: eternal ruin and exclusion; PME: eternal exclusion. The punishment is everlasting extinction not eternal torment though some would paraphrase it so. See Taylor (Living Bible). (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:14, 15)

21	Cast out from YHWH’s presence: Or, the face of the Lord. The Greek is APO [from] PROSOPOU [face] TOU [of the] KYRIOU [Lord]. Which “Lord” is this? (Psalm 110:1 KJV) Judging from the allusion to Isaiah 2:11-17 and Psalm 68:34; 89:7 (LXX) this would be Yehowah. See the note below.

22	And from the glory of his might: Drawn from Isaiah 2:10, 17, 21.

2TH1:10 when he arrives on the Day 23 [Isaiah 2:10] to be glorified along with his Saints, 24 [Psalm 89:7] and to be looked at in wonder among all those who believed 25 because of our testimony to you believers.

23

When He arrives on the Day: Or, comes, appears. Drawn from Isaiah 2:21 (LXX). Here Paul uses ELTHE (arrive) while the LXX of Isaiah 2:21 uses ANASTE (arise; appear). Compare notes above in 2 Thessalonians 1:7 regarding `AMAD at Daniel 12:1. In Daniel 7:22 Yehowah is also said to “arrive” to bring an end to the Great Oppression.

24	To be glorified along with his Saints: From Psalm 89:7. Some would apply the “saints” to his angels, others to the Christian Saints. Compare this with 2 Thessalonians 1:7 – “his angels.” Compare also notes on 1 Thessalonians 3:13.

25

To be looked at in wonder among all those who believed: Or, KJV: to be admired; ASV: marveled at; TCN: revered; PME: breath-taking wonder; NEB: adored. Surely on the day of His coming there will be two groups: a) those who marvel in awe and reverence; and, b) those who lament in grief. (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 6:16, 17) The whole phrase – “from the face of the LORD and from the glory of His strength on that Day [when He comes] to be glorified among His Saints (and) marveled at…” – is drawn from a compound paraphrase of Isaiah 2:21 and Psalm 89:7. “All who have believed” would include both the living and the dead Saints at this prophetic moment.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 – Pray God Counts You Worthy

2TH1:11 To this end we continue to pray for all of you, 26 that our God may count you worthy of His invitation, 27 and may also fulfill every resolution to be good 28 as well as every powerful work of faith. 29

26	We pray for all of you: As in 1 Thessalonians 1:2.

27

Worthy of His invitation: Compare this with 2 Thessalonians 1:5. One is “called” or “invited” and then by the divine sanctification process the Saint is finally made “worthy.” (See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on 2 Corinthians 7:1 and 1 Thessalonians 4:1) The word “worthy” may explain the word “sealed” in Revelation 7:1-4 regarding the end-time Saints.

28	Every resolution to be good: Or, KJV: fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness; ASV: fulfill every desire of goodness; CON: mightily perfect within you all the content of goodness; TCN: by his power make perfect your delight in his goodness.

29	Work of faith: Compare notes on 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Faith is often associated with “work(s).”

2TH1:12 Thus the name of our Master Jesus may be glorified among you, [Isaiah 66:5 LXX] and you in him, in harmony with the unmerited charity of our God and the Master Jesus Christ.