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Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired but it is the key to following the original author's intent which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL AND THEOLOGICAL INSIGHTS TO 2Th_2:1-12
A. This passage is very difficult to interpret as the numerous theories throughout church history illustrate.
B. Biblical Background
1. As chapter 1 dealt with the Second Coming of Christ and judgment of unbelievers, chapter 2Th_2:1-12 deals with the coming and judgment of the Anti-Christ. This is the most detailed description of this person in the NT. Paul does not use the Johannine term "Anti-Christ" (1Jn_2:18; 1Jn_2:22; 1Jn_4:3; 2Jn_1:7) but called him "the man of lawlessness" in 2Th_2:3 and "the lawless one" in 2Th_2:8.
2. The general background of this passage lies in the OT belief in a final confrontation between the people of God and the people of the evil one (cf. Psalms 2; Psa_48:4-8; Ezekiel 38-39; Daniel 7; Zechariah 14). This conflict became personalized into individual leaders of both camps: God's Messiah and the Anti-Messiah (cf. Gen_3:15; Daniel 7; Dan_9:23-27).
3. The related passages in the NT are Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 17; Luke 21; 1 Thessalonians 4-5; 1 John 2 and Revelation.
4. Three time elements are involved in 2Th_2:1-12.
a. current events
b. future events but preceding the Second Coming
c. future events concerning the Day of the Lord
C. It must be remembered that the whole subject of the return of Christ is presented in the Bible in a dialectical tension. On one hand, the imminent return of the Lord is balanced with several events which must happen first. One of these truths does not eliminate or contradict the other. Some examples of the predicted preliminary events would be:
1. the apostasy (cf. Mat_24:1-13; 1Ti_4:1; 2Ti_3:1 ff. and 2Th_2:3 ff)
2. the great tribulation (cf. Mat_24:21-22; Mat_24:29-31)
3. gospel preached to all nations (cf. Mat_24:24)
4. revealing of Anti-Christ (cf. Matthew 24, 2 Thessalonians 2; and Revelation 13)
5. salvation of the full number of Gentiles and Jews (cf. Rom_11:11-36)
D. Many see this chapter as apocalyptic in genre. See Special Topic following.
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Why is the subject of the Second Coming so debated in the Church?
2. Is the Second Coming imminent or must certain events occur first?
3. Does God cause people not to believe?
4. What is "the lie"?