[ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE FUTURE Series]
2 THESSALONIANS 2: 13-17
A PEOPLE OF TRUTH
This section forms a transition between Paul’s teaching on the Day of the Lord (2:1-12) and his exhortations for present living in view of that day which follow (3:1-15). Right here the Holy Spirit blows fresh breath upon His children as He contrasts the previous topics of judgment, eternal punishment, apostasy, and the Man of Sin with salvation, sanctification, security, grace, hope, and the Lord Jesus Christ. In contrast to those who refuse to love and obey the truth - here are those willing to do both. In contrast to those who believe Satan’s lies - here are those who believe the truth of God. In contrast to those who follow the Antichrist - here are those who follow Christ. In contrast to lostness is salvation. In contrast to rebellion is sanctification. In contrast to eternal judgment is glorification. For we find here warm thanksgiving and encouragement in the bright prospects which await believers.
The contrasts between the lost and the saved come about due to a belief in or a rejection of the truth. In this section there are three life impacts that come as a result of believing and acting on God’s truth (CIT).
I. PERSUADED BY THE TRUTH, 13-14. [CHOSEN & CALL BY GOD]
II. PERSEVERE IN THE TRUTH, 15. [RESPONDING TO GOD]
III. PRACTICE THE TRUTH, 16-17. [SUPPORTED BY GOD]
The character, grounds, and implications of Paul’s thanksgiving are included in verses 13-15. [This gratitude is grounded in the gospel, especially in God Himself taking the initiative in our salvation.] Verse 13 describes our obligation to offer thanks for the work of God in the lives of believers. “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”
In contrast to the unbelievers previously discussed, the Thessalonians were a source of gratitude to the apostles. Paul felt a strong obligation to thank God for them continually. Prolonged observation of the Thessalonian’s love and life revealed that God had saved them and was saving them. This made them brethren or brothers, but they were more than that, they were “beloved by the Lord.” They were his brothers and sisters in the faith, loved by the Lord though despised and persecuted by their godless neighbors.
Do you understand that you too are beloved by the Lord? Don’t let the tough circumstances of life keep you from realizing that you are one of God’s beloved children.
Those “in Christ” (Eph. 1:4; 1 Cor. 2:7) were chosen [heilato, past tense of aireō, “to take or pick,” used only here & in Phil. 1:22] by God from the beginning or before the foundation of the world. God’s sovereignty and man’s free will dwell side by side throughout the Scriptures. Human and divine responsibility are linked together as the divine initiative seeks and awaits human response.
The Bible consistently teaches that the initiative in salvation comes from God, not man. Salvation begins and ends with God. Our own merit can do nothing to save us. We must freely accept God’s gift of salvation. There is no other way to receive the forgiveness for our sin.
The means God uses to bring about salvation in individuals is the work of His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit draws people to Christ (John 6:44). Those who truly belief in Christ are then indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Then He teaches and leads believers into sanctification or Christ-likeness (Rom. 8:29) as we belief and obey God’s truth.
It is through the sharing of the gospel that God calls people to salvation as verse 14 indicates. “It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
God called the readers to salvation by using the gospel proclaimed by the missionaries in Thessalonica. God’s purpose in doing so was that the believers might one day share the splendor and honor that Jesus Christ now enjoys, seated at the right hand of the Father (1:10-12).
Notice their salvation and sanctification [“for this’] depended on the sharing the gospel. It seem inadequate to us that God’s work depends on fallible and unfaithful people like us. Yet God has given us the astounding privilege of leading people to Him through the sharing of His gospel. I hope you’ll join with His Sprit in telling the world how to find salvation.
II. PERSEVERE IN THE TRUTH, 15.
The result of knowing our future can bring endurance in the way of God as verse 15 teaches. “So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.”
Again the divine initiative seeks and awaits human response. Thus an appeal to commitment and obedience is made for them to“stand fast” and to “hold the traditions.”
To the Thessalonians, the traditions [paradosis - authorities] were both Paul’s oral and written messages. What he had taught and preached in his short time there is described as the traditions. Now what he wrote in these letters took its place as a part of the traditions.
The appeal is to stand firm (stēkete; 1 Cor. 16:13; 1 Thes. 3:8) in their faith and work in spite of the present situation. The strength to stand firm come from abiding in the teachings the Apostle gave them verbally and in writing.
We too are called to stand fast with Jesus Christ and His Word. Our strength to stand firm come from abiding in Christ’s Spirit and His Word. [When we are faithful to God’s traditions we may be opposed by those who reject and oppose God’s way because they prefer their own.]
The Thessalonians were in danger of loosening their grip on the apostles’ teachings which they had received (2 Thess. 3:6) in person from the missionaries and from Paul’s letters. They were in danger of slipping backward in their Christian experience because of the pressures of their trials and the daily negative influences of the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Christians are in constant danger of being swept downstream by the currents of ungodly culture. We are also prone to let the truths they know and the relationship we enjoy with God grow cold. We need to vigorously hold to what we have been taught by God’s servants.
Hold on to the truths of the Word of God. Hold on to the gospel traditions that taught you about Jesus. Let no man deceive you. Don’t be fooled by the wind and waves of doctrine that may roll by!
III. PRACTICE THE TRUTH, 16-17.
It is not enough to be Persuaded by the Truth and Persevere in the Truth. So after encouraging and instructing the Thessalonians a prayer is offered for God’s empowering to do what is required of them, which is Practice the Truth. Verse 16 emphasizes the incalculable blessing of God’s love in Christ Jesus. “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,”
Paul addresses his prayer to the “our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father.” The Son and Father are seen as One and regarded as equally worthy. He pray to Them or Him because man cannot do the eternal work of God in his own ability and strength.
God then is affirmed as supporting us in three ways in verse 16: (1) He has loved us. (2) He has given us everlasting encouragement. (3) He has given us good hope by grace.
Notice first the phrase “Who has loved us.” God’s love is here regarded as the manifestation of His love in Jesus Himself. Jesus is the full expression of God’s love, once and for all. For the tense of the verb love [àγαπήσας, puntiliar aorist ptc, nom sg masc. from àgapáō] indicates one event is in mind [action completed in a point of time]. This event though is an event that encompasses all our life. When Christ died for us on the cross; He loved us. This love is a love that keeps on giving. He loved us not only by paying for all our past sins, but our present sin and our future sin as well. He loved us by giving us the opportunity for salvation, daily sanctification, and eternal glorification. He loves us just as we are, and loves us enough to provide the way for us not only to be saved but to be change into the spiritual like-ness of His dear Son.
The phrase “who has loved us” has more and more become a treasured thought to me. To be loved by the Lord! We are supported, day in and day out, by God’s love. God chose not to measure His love in words, but in blood. This blood bought gift of eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord! Pause. Reflect. Bring this thought to the surface many times each day until it becomes a regular part of your thinking and living. We are loved by the Lord! [And because He loves you that much, will He not sustain you in the midst of whatever you are experiencing?}
The next phrase, “given us everlasting encouragement.” is in the same past tense [dous, aorist ptc, nom sg masc. of δίδωμι]. Consolation is a misleading translation of the word paraklēsin. This word in the Greek is used to denote the Holy Spirit [John 14:16, 26] and Jesus Himself as our advocate [1 John 2:1]. This word was used of one’s counsel in a lawsuit, and carried the idea of one called alongside to strengthen, encourage, and support. Thus, God, in Christ, has acted once and for all to give us His strength and support. The adjective “everlasting” further underscores the fact that God’s support of us cannot ever be weakened or withdrawn through any circumstances.
The third element of God’s support of us is “good hope by grace.” In an age of growing despair, how powerful is God’s hope. It’s called good hope. That good hope is grounded in God’s grace. He will never disappoint us or let us down.
How is all this possible? It is possible only by the love and grace of God. God’s love and grace are the foundation for eternal (unending) encouragement (paraklēsin aiōnian) in the face of any present distress. God’s love and grace also gives hope for the future. And that hope is good (agathēn, “beneficial”) for it assures believers of the return of their victorious Savior. [Demarest, Gary W. The Preacher's Commentary Series, Vol 32: 1, 2 Thessalonians / 1, 2 Timothy / Titus. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1984, S. 132.]
Encouragement and good hope are present realities for the believer. It stands in stark contrast to what the world offers. In the face of difficulties, discouragements persecution, and shattered dreams, God brings encouragement. He also graces us with good hope, the certainty of a blessed future. [Knute Larson. Holman NT Com. I & II Thessalonians. 2000. Holman Publ. Nashville, TN. P112.]
Out of these three components of God’s support there are two continuing products: (1) comfort (in) our hearts, (2) establishment in every good word and work.
Verse 17 states that the support and encouragement found in Christ’s death and resurrection are to be appropriated or internalized in the inner man of our hearts. “comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”
Paul prayed for the Thessalonians to be comforted or encouraged [parakalesai, “called along side”]. Again, “comfort” is a translation of the verb parakaleō, in which the idea of strengthening and supporting is basic.
“Establish” or strengthen is also a word of support, from the word used for a column in a building. It never occurred to Paul to separate belief and practice.
So he prayed they would be strengthen [stērizai] in every good deed they did and in every . . . word they spoke. For our life and our words must bear witness to the transforming grace of God.
This prayer is for the cheering up and rousing on of the inner man. He prayed that they may be animated to brave endurance and vigorous activity [Findlay, G.G. The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians. Cambridge Greek Testament. Cambridge: University Press, 1911. p. 194.].
What a powerful thought in this benediction! Not only does God choose us and call us to stand fast and hold the traditions; God supports us and strengthens us to do so. The great God and Creator of the universe is actually at work, not only in the cosmic dimensions of His creation, but in the daily events of our lives. [Demarest, S. 132.]
The greatest encouragement-comfort of all is the fact that Jesus will one day come for us and take us to heaven, where the forces of darkness will be obliterated by the “brightness of His coming.”
[IN CONCLUSION]
IN CLOSING Let me share an experience of encouragement with you. Our vacation was almost over. We were on our way home. As we drove along the highway, I noticed a LARGE BILLBOARD just outside a nearby city. The huge sign displayed a picture of a gorgeous sunrise. The colors were vivid and beautiful. At the top was the name of the city. Below, just under the horizon, was this caption: "TOMORROW IS ON OUR SIDE.”
There was hope in that picture. Looking at it made me feel good and full of optimism.
The Christian message contains an even greater hope and a more substantial confidence. It assures us that the hope God provides will last on through each passing day and on into eternity.
Many people today possess a hope that is based on human resources. This will not do. Our confidence comes from possessing power greater than our own. Assurance comes from receiving God's "good hope through grace." In this way, we know that tomorrow is on our side!
Maybe you don’t have this same hope and confidence in the future. We invite you to come and let us introduce you to the Father of All Hope by way of the Son of our blessed hope.
Maybe you have a confident hope in tomorrow. If yo do, then pray for opportunities to share that hope with others.
