2Th

THE STRUCTURE OF THE EPISTLE AS A WHOLE.

2 Thessalonians 1:1-2. EPISTOLARY. INTRODUCTION. GRACE AND PEACE.

2 Thessalonians 1:3. THANKSGIVING.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-5. REASON. THEIR FAITH AND LOVE AND PATIENCE.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-10. THE OBTAINING OF REST AND GLORY.

2 Thessalonians 1:11. PRAYER FOR THEM.

2 Thessalonians 1:12 -. THAT THE NAME OF THE LORD MAY BE GLORIFIED.

2 Thessalonians 1:12. AND THEY GLORIFIED IN HIM.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. ADMONITION."the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto Him".*

2 Thessalonians 2:13 -. THANKSGIVING.

2 Thessalonians 2:13. REASON. THEIR SALVATION.

2 Thessalonians 2:14-15. THE OBTAINING OF GLORY.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17; 2 Thessalonians 3:1. PRAYER FOR PAUL.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-4. THAT THE WORD MAY BE GLORIFIED.

2 Thessalonians 3:5. AND THEIR HEARTS MAY BE DIRECTED INTO GOD""S LOVE.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15. ADMONITION.

2 Thessalonians 3:16-18. CONCLUSION. PEACE AND GRACE.

> INTRODUCTORY NOTES.

1. The Second Epistle to the Church of the Thessalonians was, like the First, written from Corinth, and at no long interval after the earlier letter, both Silas and Timothy being still with the apostle. Apparently it was called forth, and sent, in order to repair for its recipients, and for us too, the mischief caused by false teachers. And the new revelation made here by the Holy Spirit through Paul concerning "the things to come", as promised in John 16:13, gives important details connected with the coming of our Lord and "the day of the Lord". Paul reminded the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 2:5) that he had told them these things, yet some part at least had taken up the belief that that day had already "set in" (2 Thessalonians 2:2 and Note). Hence the apostle""s warning that that day would not come unless the falling away came first, a warning much needed in these days when it is widely taught that the day of the Lord will not come until the world is converted to Christ!

2. The important prophecy regarding the "man of sin" ("lawlessness") has been the subject of many divergent interpretations. With regard to its main features, no interpretation is needed, for we have here a careful statement in plain terms of events that were then in the future, and which, not having yet taken place, are future still. The prophecy is given in such language that the simplest reader may understand. There is yet to appear an individual who will be the very incarnation of all evil, of whom past opposers of God and of His Christ were but faint types. Him will the Lord "destroy with the brightness of His coming". It may be added that all the "early fathers"believed that this great opposer would be an individual.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-10. THE OBTAINING OF REST AND GLORY.

2 Thessalonians 1:6. Tribulation to the troublers.

2 Thessalonians 1:7 -. Rest to the troubled.

-, 2 Thessalonians 1:7. When the Lord shall be revealed.

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9. Vengeance to the enemies.

2 Thessalonians 1:10 -. When He shall come.

-, 2 Thessalonians 1:10. To be glorified in the saints.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. ADMONITION.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 -. Exhortation:negative.

-, 2 Thessalonians 2:3 -. The Apostasy:open.

-, 2 Thessalonians 2:3. The man of sin.

2 Thessalonians 2:4. The character of his acts.

2 Thessalonians 2:5-6. Exhortation:positive.

2 Thessalonians 2:7. The mystery:secret.

2 Thessalonians 2:8. The lawless one.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12. The character of his acts.