2 Thessalonians 2

General context

The writers beseech the readers by the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the gathering together unto him, that they be not soon shaken in mind or troubled by spirit, word, or letter as from us, claiming that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you, they say, because that day will not come until a falling away comes first and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, and sits in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God. The writer then asks whether the readers remember being told these things in person, and says they know what withholdeth, since the mystery of iniquity doth already work and he who now letteth will hold back until he is taken out of the way. Then that Wicked will be revealed, and the Lord will consume him with the spirit of his mouth and destroy him with the brightness of his coming. His coming is described as working after Satan with power and signs and lying wonders, deceiving those who perish because they received not the love of the truth, so that God sends them strong delusion to believe a lie. Thanksgiving returns after this: God has from the beginning chosen the readers to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, and called them by the writers' gospel. The chapter closes by telling them to stand fast and hold the traditions they were taught, and with a prayer that God comfort and stablish their hearts.

Cited passages: 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 2 Thessalonians 2:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:5, 2 Thessalonians 2:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:7, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:10, 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 2 Thessalonians 2:12, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:17

2 Thessalonians 2 (KJV)

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Historical context

The chapter establishes that a claim has reached the readers, that the day of Christ is at hand, and that the writers do not know or do not say how it reached them: three channels are listed, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us. The phrase allows for a letter falsely credited to the writers without asserting that one exists, and the letter's own closing later points to a hand-written signature as its mark. The writer also states that this teaching was given in person, when I was yet with you, I told you these things, so the readers are expected to supply what the letter does not repeat. That is the chapter's largest gap: what withholdeth and who now letteth are treated as already known and are never identified, and the man of sin is given no name, nation or time. The temple of God is named without location or description.

Cited passages: 2 Thessalonians 2:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:5, 2 Thessalonians 2:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:7

Literary context

The argument is corrective, and it works by refusing a conclusion before offering one. First comes the request not to be shaken, then a condition, that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, then a sequence marked by And then shall that Wicked be revealed. The revealing of the man of sin is described in language that mirrors the Lord's appearing, each one a coming that is revealed, so the counterfeit is drawn with the same lines as what it imitates. The chapter also withholds on purpose: the readers are told ye know what withholdeth, and the reader of the letter is not. Contrast closes the section, between those who received not the love of the truth and those chosen through belief of the truth, and a second thanksgiving lifts the argument back to the readers themselves.

Cited passages: 2 Thessalonians 2:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:10, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Key moments

1. Do not be shaken (2 Thessalonians 2:2). The writers warn against a report that the day of Christ is at hand.
2. A falling away first (2 Thessalonians 2:3). The letter states a sequence that must precede that day.
3. Sitting in the temple (2 Thessalonians 2:4). The man of sin is described exalting himself as God.
4. Told you in person (2 Thessalonians 2:5). The writer reminds the readers of teaching given face to face.
5. Already at work (2 Thessalonians 2:7). The mystery of iniquity is said to be working already.
6. Consumed at his coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8). The Lord is said to destroy that Wicked by the brightness of his coming.
7. Stand fast, hold traditions (2 Thessalonians 2:15). The readers are told to keep what they received by word or letter.

For reflection

The writers tell the readers to hold what they were taught by word and by letter, while warning that a letter could falsely carry their name. How would a reader tell the two apart?

People in this chapter

• Jesus Christ