STAND FAST AND HOLD ON.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17.
The church of the Thessalonians had heard a rumour concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our being gathered together to Him (2 Thessalonians 2:1). There were those who taught that “the day of Christ” was already here (2 Thessalonians 2:2)!
So Paul adjured the brethren (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3): not to be so soon shaken from their moorings; this was not apostolic teaching; the day of Christ is not already here. Let no man deceive you: there must first occur a rebellion - literally an “apostasy”; and the man of sin “shall have been revealed” - or ‘unveiled’.
The man of sin is doomed to destruction (2 Thessalonians 2:3) because he (2 Thessalonians 2:4): opposes God; sets himself up above God; sits in God’s seat; and proclaims himself to be God. This was not something new that Paul was teaching the Thessalonians: he had discussed it orally in the church when he had been with them (2 Thessalonians 2:5).
Paul reiterates his sense of obligation to give thanks to God (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:3) for the “brethren beloved of the Lord” (2 Thessalonians 2:13). Having shown the destiny of the wicked, he might here have added, ‘but, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you’ (Hebrews 6:9).
The thanksgiving is couched in practical Trinitarian theology. First of all, from the beginning (cf. Ephesians 1:4), “God chose you” (cf. John 15:16) to salvation “through the sanctification of the Spirit” and belief of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13). Secondly, “God called you” to this salvation by the gospel which we preach “that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:14).
In light of all this, Paul exhorts the brethren to “go on standing fast, and go on holding on” to the apostolic traditions - which for us means the Scriptures, including the New Testament epistles (2 Thessalonians 2:15). The picture is of a ship in a storm, in which the mariners must persist in keeping their feet firmly on the deck, and doggedly clinging to the safety rails. Our security in Christ should never lead to complacency on our part.
Continuing the Trinitarian theme, Paul addresses his prayer “to our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, WHO (singular) has loved (singular)… and has given (singular)…” (2 Thessalonians 2:16). Paul draws together God’s love, encouragement and hope, which we have received by His grace (2 Thessalonians 2:16); and prays that God will encourage us inwardly, and establish us outwardly “in every good word and work” (2 Thessalonians 2:17).
