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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 TWO:
“THE COMING APOSTASY”

[“Apostates”]
Key Word: Lawless
Theme Verse: 3

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 – The Presence and the Gathering

2TH2:1 Now regarding the Return of our Master 30 Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to meet him, 31 we plead with you, brothers,

30

The Return of our Master: That is, “the Arrival of our Master,” or, “the royal visit of.” The Greek is TES PAROUSIAS TOU KYRIOU HEMON, literally, “the presence of our Master.” Or, KJV: by the coming of; CON: the appearing of; KNX: you look forward to the time when our Lord Jesus Christ will come. It is likely this subject resulted from three things: a) the previous letter; and, b) something said during the previous visit; or, c] something misspoken by others. Below the Parousia of the Master is paralleled with “YHWH’s Day has arrived.” (See notes on 2 Thessalonians 2:2)

31

Gathered together to meet him: The Greek is KAI HEMON EPISYNAGOGES EP AUTON, or literally, “and our upper (higher/lofty) meeting with him.” Or, KJV: our gathering together unto him; MOF: our muster before him; TCN: our being gathered to meet him. It seems this is a reference to 1 Thessalonians 4:17, “to meet the Master in the air… and thus we shall always be with the Master.” In his previous letter Paul has mentioned both the Parousia and the Gathering. (Compare Matthew 24:31; Matthew 25:31; see notes on Matthew 24:31 and Matthew 25:31) Consider the Nazarene’s grand promise at John 14:1, 2. It seems reasonable that this Parousia is the same as the Appearing or Revelation of 2 Thessalonians 1:7. See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Luke 17:30 (revelation) and Luke 17:34, 35 (taken along).

2TH2:2 that you not be so quickly shaken mentally 32 or frightened – whether by some statement or message, 33 or even by a letter supposedly from us 34 – to the effect that the YHWH’s Day has arrived. 35

32	Quickly shaken mentally: Or, KJV: shaken in mind or be troubled; TCN: unsettled; KNX: thrown into confusion; NEB: suddenly lose your heads. Some misunderstanding or someone’s misinterpretation of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 has led to a misplaced excitement in the congregation.

33

Statement or message: Literally, “word.” Or, CON: rumor; TCN: revelation. Some may have been as Peter later describes. (See notes 2 Peter 3:15, 16) A claim of “inspiration” (see notes 1 John 4:1) or the spread of gossip regarding 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. Likely, judging from what follows, some thought that Paul’s “we the living” implied the imminent Return of Christ and the resurrection.

34

By letter supposedly from us: Though Paul may mean the epistle 1 Thessalonians and a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of it, it seems possible they have received a letter from someone else. This letter may have claimed to have heard from Paul, or represents what Paul says, giving the impression “the Day of the Lord has come” and the Parousia and resurrection were near – in their life-time. Paul could not have violated the Lord’s warning at Luke 21:8. (Acts 1:6, 7) See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Luke 17:22.

35

YHWH’s Day has arrived: Or, the Lord’s Day. The phrase “YHWH’s Day” is a Hebraism occurring often in the Hebrew prophets. The Greek is HOS HOTI ENESTEKEN HE HEMERA TOU KYRIOU, or, literally, “has come.” Or, KJV: the day of Christ is at hand; RHM: has set in; NEB: is already here. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible #1764 (from 1722 “in” and 2476 “presence”) has ENESTEKEN as “present.” It is almost a play on PAROUSIA. (See ENESTEKEN at Romans 8:38; 1 Corinthians 3:22; Galatians 1:4; 2 Timothy 3:1; Hebrews 9:7.) The suggestion is that they misunderstood Paul, or were deceived by gossip or another inspiration, that the PAROUSIA had come or was near. (NOTE: if Paul understood the Parousia was within two or more decades he might well have so indicated.) It seems clear that the “the Day of the Lord” is the same as the “presence of our Lord Jesus.” What is inferred is that the “gathering” is at hand.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-5 – Apostasy Comes First

2TH2:3 Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. 36 Because that Day will not come 37 unless the apostasy comes first, 38 and that lawless human is revealed 39 – the son of destruction. 40 [John 17:12]

36

Do not let anyone deceive you in any way: Or, beguile, delude. Paul echoes the Nazarene here, particularly in the context of the Parousia. Compare Matthew 24:4, 24; Mark 13:5, 22; Luke 21:8. Disciples of Christ must be alert that none deceive or mislead regarding predictions of the Parousia. It is a sad fact that throughout the history of the Church there have been those false prophets who conjured up some chronological proof of the imminent coming of Christ. There was a particular explosion of such between 1820-78 and again 1914-42. Such continue to make their appearance around the year 2000.

37	That Day will not come: By “that day” he means the Parousia or “YHWH’s Day” as mentioned above. For Christ will not Return and become present with you unless…

38

Apostasy comes first: Paul says a bit later that he used to speak of these matters when he was with them during his missionary tour. O, that we could hear those conversations! The word apostasy is from the Greek APOSTASIA [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #646, a falling away, defection, apostasy]. Some render this: KJV: falling away; WMS: the great revolt; MOF: the rebellion; TCN: the Great Apostasy; PME: definite rejection of God; NEB: the final rebellion. He speaks as though they should understand this and then continues to remind them that he used to speak of this apostasy. Many are the interpretations and largely these associate this “man of lawlessness” with The Antichrist of 1 John 2:18 and then the wild beast of Revelation 13. The explanations become endless. What could Paul mean by “the apostasy”? See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Matthew 13:24-43.

39

Lawless human is revealed: The KJV has “man of sin [HAMARTIAS]” from the Received Text while Nestle/Aland and Westcott/Hort have ANOMIAS. The designation “man of lawlessness” is also rendered: TCN: that Incarnation of Wickedness; WMS: the representative of lawlessness; KNX: the champion of wickedness; NEB: when wickedness will be revealed in human form – most very interpretative. Paul nowhere makes statements that indicate this has been revealed to him as a mystery. He calls it a “mystery” in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 and there indicates this “lawlessness is already at work.” Such a remark is very similar to 1 John 2:18. So, whatever this “man of lawlessness” is it has already – around the middle of the first century – begun to function. In the verses that follow there are really two entities or persons: a) the man of lawlessness; and, b) in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 the “person” (or, “the one”) who “holds back” or “restrains” the full bloom of this “lawlessness.” Jesus had predicted a flood of lawlessness. [Matthew 24:12] Compare “lawlessness” at Matthew 7:21-23 and Matthew 13:40-42.

40

The son of destruction: The Greek is HO HUIOS TES APOLEIAS, or literally, “the son of destruction.” This is not the first occurrence of this designation for the Master Jesus uses it in his prayer at John 17:12 where the identical Greek phrase occurs. There Jesus calls Judas “the son of destruction.” Judas was a true apostate who stood apart from Christ in his betrayal. The apostles quoted Psalm 109:8 at Acts 1:20. In the context of Psalm 109 the idea of “son of destruction” may be conveyed in a paraphrase. A related phrase may be found in the LXX at Psalm 89:22 (88:22), “… the son of lawlessness shall not hurt him.” Psalm 109:6-8 (applied to Judas by the inspired apostles at Acts 1:20) reads (LXX), “Set thou a sinner against him; and let the Devil stand at his right hand…” It is possible Jesus paraphrases these Psalms and Paul echoes Jesus. It is clear Jesus applies the designation “son of destruction” to Judas, an apostate. Is this a single person? In the case of Judas it was “a son of destruction.” We note in Psalm 109:1-8 that the enemies are described as “they” and then in Psalm 109:6 it is “he.” This is a class or type of person who sins against or opposes the Messiah. Compare also Psalm 41:9 with John 13:18. There is a strong early church application of these portions of 2 Thessalonians to the development of the Roman Catholic Church and the Papacy. (See Matthew Henry.) The key may lie in the word “lawlessness” which is used by Jesus in three interesting places: Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 13:41, and Matthew 24:12. These are all Christians within the Kingdom of Christ (Christendom) who are lawless and called by Jesus “sons of the Wicked One.” So, the parable of the wheat and tares may hold the key: “While men were sleeping [the apostolic restraint] the Enemy [Satan] sowed weeds [man of lawlessness] among the wheat [children of the Kingdom].” All the apostles heard this parable and claimed they understood it. Judas would be one of the earliest manifestations of an apostate class of weeds, “sons of the Devil.” Virtually every inspired disciple who shared in writing the Christian Bible mentions an apostasy or falling away. Note Acts 20:29, “After my departure [as an apostolic restraint] ravenous wolves [man of lawlessness] will enter into your company.” Compare Romans 16:17, 18; 2 Corinthians 11:3, 13-15; Ephesians 4:14; Philippians 1:15-17; Colossians 2:8; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:6-9, 2 Timothy 4:3, 4; Titus 1:10, 11; 2 Peter 2:1-22; 1 John 2:18, 19, 22; 1 John 4:1, 2; 2John 7-11; 3 John 9, 10. In these texts we can identify “the one” who is something of a restraint, the apostolic body represented by Paul, Timothy, John, Peter and others. Their presence stifled the full development of the apostasy. It would not be until these “men were sleeping” in death following the first century that the apostasy would explode.

2TH2:4 The one who stands in opposition and is self-exalted 41 against everyone called a god or an object of worship. 42 Such a person will sit down in the Temple of The God 43 [Daniel 11:36; Ezekiel 28:2] and display himself as though he were a god. 44

41

Self-exalted: Or, AMP: exalted himself; MOF: vaunt himself; KNX: lift up his head; NEB: he rises in his pride. It is possible there were those right in the little church at Thessalonica who part of this “man of lawlessness.” Note 2 Thessalonians 3:2, 6, 11-15 – in these verses is the “restraint” and a “man of lawlessness.” On this phrase, “who opposes and exalts himself,” compare 3 John 9, 10. This is a type of arrogant and ambitious man who resists authority and who desires “first place.” These are identified by Peter as very liberal in their views on morality, greedy of dishonest gain, rejecting the teachings of the Nazarene. How does one exalt self? Special clerical garb? Titles? (Reverend, Faithful Slave, Father) Material support? Insisting they speak inclusively for Christ?

42

A god or an object of worship: Or, KNX: the rebel who is to lift up his head above every divine name, above all that men hold in reverence. A study of any history of the Christian Church (Will Durant, Story of Civilization, Volume “Christ and Caesar”) reveals the slow fermentation of apostasy within. [Matthew 13:33] The developing of doctrines unknown in the Bible: hell-fire torment, human soul immortality, the Trinity doctrine, and scores of others. Not only was there an apostasy from the teachings of Jesus and his inspired disciples, but also a slow revolution away from the simple church order of the first century. One of the first of such developments was to draw a distinction between the elder (presbyter) and the so-called “bishop” (episcopos). Church hierarchy became more and more controlling and soon titles limited to God were taken by men of religious power – father, reverend.

43

Sit down in the Temple of The God: We are safe in assuming by “temple” here Paul means the Church itself, for he uses such a word to describe the Body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:21; Revelation 3:12) We see what James warned about grow into high pompous ceremony. (James 2:1-4) By the third and fourth centuries the Papacy gained control of religious matters throughout the Roman Empire. By the ninth century the Pope crowned the kings of Europe. The Pope gained titles given to God. The Protestant Reformation did little to change matters other than divide the great Church. The “reformers” kept the same apostate Egyptian and Greek doctrines and within decades were just as power hungry as the very thing they were protesting. (See Will Durant’s Story of Civilization, Volume 6 “The Reformation”)

44

Display himself as though he were a god: That is, declare, proclaim, claim. Or, RSV: proclaiming himself to be a god. As mentioned above titles once limited to God are taken on by the clergy of both the Catholic and Protestant churches. There is another sometimes for subtle way this is done: a hierarchy claims directly or indirectly that they are the only channel between God and man. They alone interpret the Bible and any who disagree with them are excommunicated. Some claimed infallibility. Others claimed the same by enforcing adherence or shunning by church and family.

2TH2:5 Do you not remember that when I was among all of you that I used to tell you all about this? 45

45

I used to tell you all about this: This subject of the foretold apostasy must have been a subject that came up during Paul’s visit to the Thessalonians. Just as he had warned the Ephesians elders in Acts 20:29, 31 he must have done something similar. Most of Paul’s letters give similar warnings of a growing apostasy. (Romans 16:17, 18; 2 Corinthians 11:3, 13-15; Ephesians 4:14; Philippians 1:15-17; Colossians 2:8; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:6-9, 2 Timothy 4:3, 4; Titus 1:10, 11)

2 Thessalonians 2:6-12 – Man of Lawlessness

2TH2:6 And so you are well aware 46 that there is someone that is now acting as something of a restraint 47 to prohibit his being revealed at the appointed season. 48

46

You are well aware: Or, know, remember. The small Thessalonian church would have known who the “restraint” and the “man of lawlessness” were. This could not be something that would first appear centuries later. It was a reality experienced by this church in its earliest manifestations. It could be seen in the pseudo Corinthian elders [2 Corinthians 11:3, 4, 13-15] and others who spread false doctrines. [1 Timothy 1:19, 20; 2 Timothy 1:15; 2:16-18]

47

Now acting as something of a restraint: Or, RSV: what is restraining him now. Paul and his missionary associates, and those men appointed by them, were the restraint against an apostasy which would have developed too quickly before the New Testament was completed. As long as the apostles and their appointees were alive they were a force – directly appointed by the Nazarene – which kept the “wolves” at bay. (Acts 20:29) This restraint is reflected in the warnings in the inspired epistles cited above. Compare also 2 Timothy 2:16-18. Almost every letter of Paul’s addresses spiritual lawlessness at work in the Church.

48

Revealed at the appointed time: Or, RSV: so that he may be revealed in his time. The principle at work is illustrated by Jesus’ parable of the fermenting loaf. (Matthew 13:33) Compare also 1 Timothy 5:24. The apostasy church-wide was very slow throughout the first century. It is John who writes near the end of that first century, “It is the last hour and many antichrists have appeared.” (1 John 2:18) By the end of the second century there were scores of sects and heresies. (1 Corinthians 11:19) Hundreds developed as every new teacher appeared. This fermentation continued unabated until the control of the Papacy became universal. The Dark Ages fell upon humankind and the Inquisition would slaughter hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dissenters. Historically, in part, this “man of lawlessness” becomes easy to identify, as most historians observe, by the Fourth Century.

2TH2:7 Because the mystery of this lawlessness is already working [within the Church] 49 until the one who acts as something of a restraint 50 is removed as an obstacle. 51

49

Already working within the Church: Or, RSV: the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. As cited above nearly every letter reveals the threat in the form of a Christianized Judaism, Stoicism, or Gnosticism. Jesus had predicted that before the desolation of Jerusalem “lawlessness” would increase within the Church causing many to loose their first love. (Matthew 24:12) As Paul put it, “their word will spread like gangrene.” (2 Timothy 2:16-18)

50

Something of a restraint. Or, RSV: He who now restrains it. The apostolic body, including Paul, who were directly appointed by Jesus Christ, acted as a restraint to keep the apostasy from fully blooming. It takes strong and devoted men who are fearless to protect the flock from poisonous roots. Paul demonstrates this fearlessness in his letters to the Corinthians where he bluntly states, “The Christ is divided.” (1 Corinthians 1:13) He exposes those “super-fine apostles” who are really pseudo brothers.

51	Removed as an obstacle: Or, RSV: he is out of the way. That is the restraining apostolic force embodied in Paul and others. This phrase is explained by Acts 20:29, but may also be seen in the ‘sleeping men’ of Jesus’ parable in Matthew 13.

2TH2:8 It is then that the lawless one will be revealed. 52 The Master Jesus will annihilate him by the spirit of his mouth, 53 thus rendering him completely ineffective at the moment of his visible Return. 54

52	Lawless one will be revealed: One may look upon this two ways: a) history will manifest this lawless force loose in the Church; and, b) with the parousia-judgment (Matthew 25:31-46) the weeds and goats will be revealed. See notes on Malachi 3:18.

53	Annihilate him by the spirit of his mouth: Or, blast him out of existence with the breath of his mouth [BAR]. Compare Matthew 7:21-23. Note the description of Christ at Revelation 1:16.

54

Visible Return: Or, the blinding brilliance of his coming [BAR]; KJV: the brightness of his coming; RSV: his appearing; ASV: the manifestation of his coming; RHM: paralyse with the forthshining; WMS: put a stop to his operations by His appearance. The Greek is KATARGESEI TE EPIPHANEIA TES PAROUSIAS AUTOU, or literally, “destroy by the manifestation of the presence.” At the visible Parousia – the Arrival of the Master of the House – the Church is raised to its judgment. (Matthew 13:41, 42; 24:43-25:46; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 John 2:28; 4:17; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28, 29) In that judgment the class of men and women who were “the man of lawlessness” throughout the Church Age will experience Matthew 7:21-23. The living Church – Christendom with all (ALL) its sects – will be judged in their flesh with the righteous ascending to heaven in the Rapture. (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Revelation 11:12) Those “left” or “abandoned” (Luke 17:30-37) will experience the Day of Wrath upon the global religious, political, military and commercial systems. (Revelation chapters 18 and 19)

2TH2:9 The coming of this lawless person is in accordance with the inner working of Satan 55 in all [his] lying power and signs and wonders. 56

55

Inner working of Satan: That is, working within the Church. Or, CON: the strength of Satan’s working; TCN: great activity on the part of Satan; KNX: Satan’s influence to aid him. The explanation of this is seen at Matthew 13:25, 28, 38, 39. The apostasy that developed with its Grecianized doctrines and Babylonish ceremonies is Satanic in character just as the Pharisaical system among the Jews. (John 8:44) See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on 1 Timothy 4:1-3.

56

Lying power and signs and wonders: Or, produce miracles and wonders calculated to deceive [BAR]. Many would be the so-called “signs” performed by “the man of lawlessness” throughout the Church Age: gibberish tongues, pseudo miracles, grand cathedrals, riches beyond imagination, global satellite “holy beamers,” huge real estate holdings, publishing conglomerates with international corporate offices. Indeed, the claim of miraculous “signs” may in itself indicate a Satanic source, particularly if these “signs” are also accompanied by “teachings of demons” alien to Jesus and his inspired disciples. (1 Timothy 4:1, 2) These “signs” are not those of the infant Church which Paul says would be “done away with.” (1 Corinthians 13:8)

2TH2:10 And this will be accompanied also with every kind of unrighteous seduction 57 to those [in the Church] who end up destroying themselves – all because they refused to love the Truth 58 that they might be saved.

57	Every kind of unrighteous seduction: Compare 2 Corinthians 11:3, 4, 12-15, 20. Some put on “the appearance of humility” and righteousness. (Colossians 2:18) Compare the hypocrisy of the Jewish Pharisees in Matthew chapter 23 with Jeremiah chapter 23.

58

They refused to love the Truth: Or, shut their minds [BAR]. Here is the key to the righteous “wheat” and “sheep” – a love of truth. Jesus identified this as the Word of God. (John 17:17) Some are more impressed by physical signs, whether supposed miracles or lofty cathedrals, rather than the simple truths of the Nazarene in the Christian Bible. The major failure of Christianity as it enters the 21st Century is its failure to read the teachings of Jesus and his inspired disciples. The wheat and sheep will be identified by love of truth and adherence to these truths manifest in faith and love.

2TH2:11 Therefore, the God sends among them the inner working of error and falsehood 59 so that they all start believing in the lie. 60

59

Inner working of error and falsehood: Or, KJV: strong delusions; WEY: a fatal delusion; GDS: a misleading influence; NOR: powerful heresies among them. Just as God allowed the Jews to sink into error so the vast majority of those claiming Jesus as Lord have been deceived and deluded by a Satanic imitation of the Christian Church. (Romans 1:18-32) This is similar to the “bad spirit” God sent upon Saul because of his jealous hatred of David.

60

Believing in the lie: The vast majority of “Christians” in the world at the beginning of the 21st Century “believe what is false.” [RSV] These are Greek, Egyptian, and Babylonian doctrines like hell-fire torment, the immortality of the human soul, idolatry, worship of Mary, and the Trinity doctrine. However, there are many millions who know nothing of these teachings but have followed the Master’s teachings on love and charity. Despite their ignorance they may find grace in the Master’s judgment if their lives were characterized by faith and charity. (Matthew 25:31-46; James 1:27) See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on the parable of the four slaves at Luke 12:35-48.

2TH2:12 Thus they will all be condemned – all those who did not believe the Truth 61 but thought well of unrighteousness.

61	Did not believe the Truth: Here are the two things that will come back to haunt many: a refusal to discover and believe the truth; and, a life characterized as unrighteous. (Matthew 7:21-23)

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 – Selected and Called

2TH2:13 However, we feel obligated, brothers, beloved of YHWH 62, to continually thank The God in your behalf, because He selected all of you originally leading to salvation 63 through being sanctified by the Pneuma and your belief in the Truth. 64

62	YHWH: The Greek KYRIOU is without the article suggested a name originally went here.

63

He selected all of you originally leading to salvation: Or, RSV: God chose you from the beginning to be saved. Or, chose you as the first to be saved [BAR]. “Beginning” (or, "originally") here may mean from the moment they became disciples and the Thessalonian church was formed by Paul’s efforts. Research on the word beginning will reveal a variety of meanings. (1 John 1:1)

64

Being sanctified by the Pneuma and your belief in the Truth: Or, RSV: Through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. Paul lists two things to be saved: a) sanctification (Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:3), a process of “perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1) under the Pneuma’s influence; and, b) belief in the truth found in the teachings of Jesus and his inspired disciples.

2TH2:14 He invited all of you to this by reason of the Good News, so that all of you may attain the glory 65 of our Master Jesus Christ.

65	So that you may obtain the glory: Paul’s gospel contains only “one hope” (Ephesians 4:4) – that of obtaining heavenly glory with Christ in heaven. (Hebrews 3:1)

2TH2:15 So then, brothers, remain steadfast and keep a tight grip on the traditions 66 you were taught by us, either through an oral message or through an epistle. 67

66	Tight grip on the traditions: Or, instructions, teaching, rules. To avoid the Satanic deception Paul just described they must remain steadfast in what they learned from Paul. Even these early godly “traditions” or customs were developing which identified the early Church.

67	Either through an oral message or through an epistle: They have had at least one visit by Paul, another by Timothy, and at least two letters. We today can greatly benefit from these two letters if we wish to stand firm.

2TH2:16 Now may our Master Jesus Christ himself – and The God our Father who loved us and gave us comfort and an excellent hope by means of His unmerited charity – 2TH2:17 encourage your hearts and make them firm in every good work and word. 68

68

Encourage your hearts and make them firm in every good work and word: Or, RSV: Comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. “Comfort” [or, encourage] is one of the key words of both epistles to the Thessalonians. Their hearts now need to become established and steadfast in both good works and good words. Research the word work in the Christian Bible.