What does 2 Thessalonians 2:16 mean?
In this verse Paul begins a benediction. In his prayer he identifies the Lord Jesus Christ, and God our Father, as having loved him, his coworkers, and his readers. It is rare that Paul placed Jesus' name before the Father's name, but the order shows that Jesus and the Father are equal in essence, authority, and power. Also, in the Greek language, the subject is plural but the verbs are singular, indicating that each person named in the subject has equal value.Jesus and the Father loved us while we were sinners (Romans 5:8) and still love us. Nothing can separate us from this love (Romans 8:38–39). God bestowed on the Thessalonians comfort that outlasts this life and extends for eternity, and he did so because of His love. He also gave the Thessalonians hope of a bright future, and He imparted it by grace—His undeserved favor. The persecution and trials could not dim the good hope God had bestowed on Paul's readers.
Second Thessalonians 2:13–17 presents a stark contrast to the preceding passage. Previously, Paul wrote about the evil man of lawlessness, his wicked deeds, and the dreadful consequences that await him and his followers. Now Paul addresses the Thessalonian believers with a positive, uplifting message about their salvation, and he encourages them to take a defensive posture against false teaching and to adhere to what he had taught them. He concludes with an uplifting benediction, in which he calls upon the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father to encourage the Thessalonians and establish them in every good word and deed.
The Christians of Thessalonica have not missed out on the events described in Paul's prior letter. Despite what some teachers apparently thought, they were not experiencing the ''day of the Lord,'' a time of God's great wrath and judgment. As proof, Paul offers instruction on events which had yet to occur, prior to the coming of the day of the Lord. The first is a rebellion, or a ''falling away.'' The second is the emergence of a ''man of lawlessness'' who will demonstrate satanic power. This will correspond with God removing His restraint, in some way, leaving sin freer rein to enable His judgment.
