II Thessalonians Chapter 1

1. Purpose for the letter

a. To correct views held by them concerning the Parousia (2nd Coming of Christ.)

b. Some stopped working because of it.

2. Place within the Lectionary

a.) 25th week after Pentecost

3. Date – 51 A.D.

4. The 2nd Coming: “suddenness” is taught in 1st Thessalonians and “signs” are emphasized in II Thessalonias.

THE SECOND EPISTLE OF SAINT PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS

CHAPTER 1

Translation, the Orthodox New Testament, Vol II., Buena Vista CO.

1Paul, and Silouanos, and Timothy, to the Church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Paul, Silouanos (Silas) and Timothy established the Chuch the Thessalonika (Acts 17:1-9)

2. The “Grace” of God – assures and consoles

“…how great must it be to find favor with God? On this account he always thus prefaces his Epistle, and invokes this upon them, knowing that if this be granted, there will be nothing afterwards grievous, but whatever troubles there may be, all will be done away. . . And another thing also he effects, wishing to render them well-disposed to the remaining part of the Epistle; that, though he should reprove and rebuke them, they might not break away from him. For this reason he reminds them before all things of the grace of God, appeasing their hearts, that, even if there be affliction, being reminded of the grace by which they were saved from the greater evil, they may not despair at the less, but may thence derive consolation. (Chrysostom, Homily II, II Thessalonians).”

3We are bound to give thanks to God always concerning you, brethren, even as it is meet, because your faith increaseth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth,

1. Thankfulness for the virtue found in others.

“Again a sign of great humility. For he led them to reflect and consider, that if for our good actions others do not admire us first, but God, much more also ought we… But if Paul is thankful for the good of others, what will those suffer who are not thankful but even sulk at it. (Chrysostom, Homily II, II Thessalonians).”

2. Faith grows through afflictions and trials

“And how, you say, can faith increase? That is when we suffer something dreadful for it. It is a great thing for it to be established, and not to be carried away by reasonings. But when the winds assail us, when the rains burst upon us, when a violent storm is raised on every side, and the waves succeed each other-then that we are not shaken, is a proof of no less than this, that it grows, and grows exceedingly, and becomes loftier. (Chrysostom, Homily II, II Thessalonians).”

3. A Love that embraces all and is not the cause of division

“And observe their love. They did not love one indeed, and not love another, but it was equal on the part of all. ..For it was equally poised, as that of one body. Since even now we find love existing among many, but this love becoming the cause of division. For when we are knit together in parties of two or three, and the two indeed, or three or four, are closely bound to one another, but draw themselves off from the rest…So also if we confine to one or two the love which ought to be extended to the whole Church of God, we injure both ourselves and them, and the whole. For these things are not of love, but of division; schisms, and distracting rents…But if it is not a human love, but you love for God's sake, then love all. For so God has commanded to love even our enemies. And if He has commanded to love our enemies, how much more those who have never aggrieved us? But, you say, I love, but not in that way. Rather, you do not love at all. For when you accuse, when you envy, when you lay snares, how dost you love? "But," sayest thou, "I do none of these things." But when a man is ill spoken of, and you do not shut the mouth of the speaker, and do not disbelieve his sayings, and do not check him, of what love is this the sign?


4 so that we ourselves boast in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions which ye bear, 5which is a token of the righteous judgment of God, in order for you to be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer;

1. The trials save us

Saint Chrysostom: “See then that this does not come to pass because those who injure them are more powerful than they, but because it is thus necessary that they enter into the kingdom. For, ‘through many temptations it is necessary for us to enter into the kingdom of God [Acts 14:22].’” [Explanatory Notes for the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians, Hom. 2, P.G. 62:517 (col. 475).]