2 Thessalonians 2:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NIV: He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NASB: It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

CSB: He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NLT: He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

KJV: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NKJV: to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this verse Paul reminds his readers that God used the good news of salvation to call them for a purpose. He called them to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus was on earth, He took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain and was transfigured before them (Luke 9:28–36). His inner glory shone through His body, and later John and Peter reflected on what had taken place. John wrote: "We have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Peter wrote, "We were eyewitnesses of his majesty . . . for we were with him on the holy mountain" (2 Peter 1:16–18). In his letter to the Colossians Paul said Christ in believers is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Now, we hope to share in Christ's glory, but when He appears, we will appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:4).

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.

Chapter 1 praised the Christians of Thessalonica for their spiritual growth and acts of love. This chapter seeks to correct a discouraging error present in that same church. Paul encourages these believers by stating that they have not missed out on the events described in his prior letter and have not entered into the judgment of the ''day of the Lord.'' Before that catastrophic time can begin, certain events must occur. These include a widespread spiritual apostasy and the rise of a satanically-empowered figure. Chapter 3 commends the value of a strong work ethic, both in a spiritual and a secular sense.

Second Thessalonians follows Paul's earlier letter to the same group of Christian believers. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul had praised them for their faithfulness and given them reassurances about the day of the Lord. This included teachings on the rapture and a description of death as ''sleep'' from a Christian viewpoint. In this second letter, Paul corrects possible misunderstandings about those ideas. Among his teachings here are the importance of a good work ethic and God's impending judgment on sin, including judgment on those who persecute the Christian church. Paul also provides the Thessalonians with reassurances that they have not somehow missed out on Christ's return.

Accessed 4/30/2024 6:56:19 AM