2 Thessalonians: Paul's theology of suffering
Posted: Mon 28 May 28 2012 3:41 pm
In 2Thess, Paul was evidently writing to believers who were under persecution (2Th 1:4) and therefore suffering. In the epistle, Paul tries to help the believers make sense of their suffering and in the course of doing that, also provides us with a glimpse of how Paul viewed suffering. This came at a time (51-54 A.D.) where persecution of Christians had been increasing, leading to the eviction of Jews from Rome and later on the first great persecution under Nero.
Among the things that we note about Paul's attitude towards the Thessalonians' suffering are:-
1. he boasts of their faithfulness in their sufferings (2Th 1:4)
2. their faithfulness in suffering is evidence of their election (2Th 1:5)
3. God is going to repay their persecutors in the final reckoning (2Th 1:6,9)
4. they will receive their rest when Jesus is revealed (2Th 1:7)
5. to suffer for Christ was a kind of "worthy calling" or privilege (2Th 1:11)
Since Paul had now pointed to the "revelation of Jesus" (2Th 1:6) as the point during which their sufferings will be resolved, it is natural that the big question would be, "When is Jesus going to be revealed?". It is precisely this question that Paul now attends to in 2Th 2. In this regard, he makes some cautionary statements to prevent them from becoming discouraged, seeing as they are pinning their hope (for the end of their suffering) to the coming of Jesus:-
1. do not believe anyone who says that Christ had already come (2Th 2:2)
2. that day will come only after a great apostasy (falling away) (2Th 2:3)
3. there will be a major time of the anti-Christ preceding the second coming (2Th 2:4-10)
4. God will destroy this "lawless one" when Jesus comes
5. many will be deceived during this time of testing (2Th 2:11-12)
Paul's consolation to the Thessalonians comes in this way:-
1. you who are faithful, stay faithful and don't fall (2Th 2:15)
2. though we suffer now, we have everlasting consolation and hope by grace (2Th 2:16)
3. pray that you will be delivered (2Th 3:1-2)
4. God will guard you (2Th 3:3)
5. be patient in your suffering and waiting for Christ's return (2Th 3:5)
And some practical advice:-
1. stay away from "disorderly" people (2Th 3:6,14)
2. avoid those who seems to be asking for money or financial support (or scammers) (2Th 3:11-12)
It's worth mentioning that the word translated "disorderly" in 2Th 3:6,7 comes from the Greek work "ataktos" (ἀτάκτως) which is sometimes translated as "idle, lazy" (Louw Nida), or also as "being arbitrary in holding religious services" (BDAG).
References
http://mysite.verizon.net/rgjones3/Hist ... nindex.htm
http://www.rlhymersjr.com/Online_Sermon ... ution.html
Among the things that we note about Paul's attitude towards the Thessalonians' suffering are:-
1. he boasts of their faithfulness in their sufferings (2Th 1:4)
2. their faithfulness in suffering is evidence of their election (2Th 1:5)
3. God is going to repay their persecutors in the final reckoning (2Th 1:6,9)
4. they will receive their rest when Jesus is revealed (2Th 1:7)
5. to suffer for Christ was a kind of "worthy calling" or privilege (2Th 1:11)
Since Paul had now pointed to the "revelation of Jesus" (2Th 1:6) as the point during which their sufferings will be resolved, it is natural that the big question would be, "When is Jesus going to be revealed?". It is precisely this question that Paul now attends to in 2Th 2. In this regard, he makes some cautionary statements to prevent them from becoming discouraged, seeing as they are pinning their hope (for the end of their suffering) to the coming of Jesus:-
1. do not believe anyone who says that Christ had already come (2Th 2:2)
2. that day will come only after a great apostasy (falling away) (2Th 2:3)
3. there will be a major time of the anti-Christ preceding the second coming (2Th 2:4-10)
4. God will destroy this "lawless one" when Jesus comes
5. many will be deceived during this time of testing (2Th 2:11-12)
Paul's consolation to the Thessalonians comes in this way:-
1. you who are faithful, stay faithful and don't fall (2Th 2:15)
2. though we suffer now, we have everlasting consolation and hope by grace (2Th 2:16)
3. pray that you will be delivered (2Th 3:1-2)
4. God will guard you (2Th 3:3)
5. be patient in your suffering and waiting for Christ's return (2Th 3:5)
And some practical advice:-
1. stay away from "disorderly" people (2Th 3:6,14)
2. avoid those who seems to be asking for money or financial support (or scammers) (2Th 3:11-12)
It's worth mentioning that the word translated "disorderly" in 2Th 3:6,7 comes from the Greek work "ataktos" (ἀτάκτως) which is sometimes translated as "idle, lazy" (Louw Nida), or also as "being arbitrary in holding religious services" (BDAG).
References
http://mysite.verizon.net/rgjones3/Hist ... nindex.htm
http://www.rlhymersjr.com/Online_Sermon ... ution.html