As we finish up Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, we know that Paul was trying to counter some false ideas that others had brought to Thessalonica. What Paul does is remind the Thessalonians of things he had already told them. He explains the timing of the resurrection of the the righteous, the out resurrection. Paul explains the Day of the Lord, the apocalypse, and the parousia. Paul also explains that the man of sin has an epiphany, an apocalypse, and a parousia. He tells the Thessalonians that this man of sin and lawlessness comes with pseudo miracles and those who did not love the truth, aletheia, are going to be destroyed. We find that Paul uses another way of explaining the harpazo and it’s timing to the Thessalonians. He does this to cement the idea in their minds and hearts. He says God takes us up and away. While Paul uses another way to say what he has been saying, translators changed the wording which changed the meaning and we lost that bit of knowledge over the ages.
Taking a step back, we remember that there will be a falling away or a departure from truth that will take place. Generally we humans see the obvious outward signs and tend to think we are seeing this falling away because people leave the church, especially the young adults. I would suggest that we should also think outside the box concerning this falling away or divorcement from the truth. It is possible that people within the church fall away from the truth. Many love superstitions, or mysterious knowledge, and there are many who portray themselves as the only ones with this special secret knowledge. Others believe more strongly in the prophetic ministries and ministers rather than the established words of the Holy Spirit. These become “loves” as people seek after these things. Therefore it is possible that the falling away also consists of people within the Body of Christ. This does not mean they are not redeemed, but simply they got bored with the Bible and started looking for truth elsewhere. Remember in Revelation, Jesus tells the church at Ephesus that they left their first love. Jesus also tells the Laodiceans they were lukewarm and he was going to vomit them out of his mouth. He also told them to put salve on their eyes because they were blind to their own situation. Wise words.
Paul clearly wants the church at Thessalonica to understand these events which should be their/our benchmarks in time, so that we are not confused as to what is going to happen. Remember, the satan energizes the man of sin with pseudo signs, miracles, and wonders.
2 Thessalonians 2:9G3739whose G1510.2.3[2is G3588 G39521arrival] G2596according to G1753the energy G3588 G4567of Satan G1722in G3956every G1411power G2532and G4592signs G2532and G5059miracles G5579of a lie,
10G2532and G1722in G3956every G539deception G3588 G93of unrighteousness G1722among G3588the ones G622being destroyed, G446.2because of G3588the G26love G3588of the G225truth G3756they received not G1209 G1519for G3588 G4982them to be delivered. G1473
Because people didn’t love the truth so that they could be delivered, there is an energized delusion. It is interesting that the ones who believed in the truth are no longer on the earth, but the two witnesses are. They will be speaking to the world to pierce through this strong delusion and some will actually believe.
2 Thessalonians 2:11G2532And G1223on account of G3778this G3992[2shall send forth G14733to them G3588 G23161God] G1753an energy G4106of delusion, G1519for G3588 G4100them to believe G1473 G3588in the G5579lie,
3992 LSJ Gloss: πέμπω to send, despatch
Dodson: πέμπω I send I send, transmit, permit to go, put forth.
Thayer:
1) to send
1a) to bid a thing to be carried to one
1b) to send (thrust or insert) a thing into another
For Synonyms see entry G5813
1a) to bid a thing to be carried to one
1b) to send (thrust or insert) a thing into another
For Synonyms see entry G5813
πέμπω
pempō pem'-po Apparently a primary verb; to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ἵημι hiēmi [as a stronger form of εἶμιeimi ] refers rather to the objective point or terminus ad quem, and G4724 denotes properly the orderly motion involved), especially on a temporary errand; also to transmit, bestow, or wield
KJV Usage: send, thrust in.
1753 LSJ Gloss: ἐνέργεια action, operation, energy
Dodson: ἐνέργεια working, activity working, action, productive work, activity; in the NT, confined to superhuman activity.
Thayer:
1) working, efficiency
1a) in the NT used only of superhuman power, whether of God or of the Devil
For Synonyms see entry G5820
1a) in the NT used only of superhuman power, whether of God or of the Devil
For Synonyms see entry G5820
ἐνέργεια
energeia en-erg'-i-ah From G1756; efficiency (“energy”) KJV Usage: operation, strong, (effectual) working.
4106 LSJ Gloss: πλάνη a wandering, roaming
Dodson: πλάνη a wandering, error a wandering; fig: deceit, delusion, error, sin.
Thayer:
1) a wandering, a straying about
1a) one led astray from the right way, roams hither and thither
2) metaph.
2a) mental straying
2a1) error, wrong opinion relative to morals or religion
2b) error which shows itself in action, a wrong mode of acting
2c) error, that which leads into error, deceit or fraud
1a) one led astray from the right way, roams hither and thither
2) metaph.
2a) mental straying
2a1) error, wrong opinion relative to morals or religion
2b) error which shows itself in action, a wrong mode of acting
2c) error, that which leads into error, deceit or fraud
fraudulence; subjectively a straying from orthodoxy or piety KJV Usage: deceit, to deceive, delusion, error.
4100 LSJ Gloss: πιστεύω to trust, trust to
Dodson: πιστεύω I believe, have faith in I believe, have faith in, trust in; pass: I am entrusted with.
Thayer:
1) to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in
1a) of the thing believed
1a1) to credit, have confidence
1b) in a moral or religious reference
1b1) used in the NT of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul
1b2) to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: saving faith
1bc) mere acknowledgment of some fact or event: intellectual faith
2) to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity
2a) to be intrusted with a thing
1a) of the thing believed
1a1) to credit, have confidence
1b) in a moral or religious reference
1b1) used in the NT of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul
1b2) to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: saving faith
1bc) mere acknowledgment of some fact or event: intellectual faith
2) to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity
2a) to be intrusted with a thing
πιστεύω
pisteuō pist-yoo'-o From G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ) KJV Usage: believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
5579 LSJ Gloss: ψεῦδος a falsehood, untruth, lie
Dodson: ψεῦδος a lie a lie, falsehood, untruth; false religion.
Thayer:
1) a lie
2) conscious and intentional falsehood
3) in a broad sense, whatever is not what it seems to be
3a) of perverse, impious, deceitful precepts
2) conscious and intentional falsehood
3) in a broad sense, whatever is not what it seems to be
3a) of perverse, impious, deceitful precepts
Transmitting an energy of delusion. We know the delusion is a straying from orthodoxy, which is doctrine and practice. Those who stray are energized to believe and trust in pseudos, “lies”. This delusion is dispatched or permitted because the children of the Living God are no longer on the earth.
We have to remember why all of this is happening. The satan did not want to bow to Adam, believing Adam was an inferior being. Of course Adam was newly created and was given the paradise to work and guard. The satan deceived Eve and Adam thereby taking over rulership of the earth for the remainder of Adam’s lease. Don’t misunderstand, the satan knows what day and time it is far better than we do. The satan’s whole point was that Adam was an inferior being, so the satan spins webs of deceit and delusion to cause mankind to fail to see the Creator. Humankind also lost their spiritual eyes in the fall, which was like a plague the satan used to outwit all of us.
Since the devil is the god of this world/the prince of this world he has every right and authority to persecute humans, especially if humans sin. He accuses us before the throne day and night, he doesn’t let up. The satan knows he has to stay in the shadows, he also knows he is not going to usurp full authority over creation. So he spins secret societies, and false religious orders, to look like they are going to take over the world. These people love the injustice of the world system and learn to exploit it to their benefit. Meanwhile the satan enslaves the majority of mankind into a system of labor and poverty, like a slave owner. Remember, at one time he had his own sanctuaries and he merchandized his own people, so he is a pro at this.
In the last days of the tribulation period the beast kills Babylon. The satan is simply pitting humans against one another. His children, the children of wrath, will have seven years to kill each other after the harpazo, while also killing the newly saved. While at the same time, judgments are poured out upon the earth. The satan was hoping to ensnare the children of the Living God into this war of humanity, but Jesus trumped his plan when he took back the keys to hell and death and sent the Holy Spirit to seal the redeemed. As long as the Holy Spirit is on the earth, the last days of tribulations are held back.
In the end, the satan knows his punishment and eventual destruction, but for now he laughs at humans because we humans are so easily deceived. We waste our time fighting, arguing, and contending against one another, rather than pursuing the Living God. At the time of the white throne judgement, all the unrighteous will rise, and the satan will laugh at how pathetic mankind became because they did not follow after the Creator, the Living God. Man was created to be immortal, but many choose mortality. This is the story of our world.
Paul explains that the unrighteous will be judged because they did not believe in the truth. He told us in verse 10 that they did not receive the love of the truth for deliverance.
2 Thessalonians 2:12G2443that G2919[11should be judged G39561all G35882the ones G33613not G41004believing G35885in the G2256truth G2357but G21068taking pleasure G17229in G3588 G9310unrighteousness]
2919LSJ Gloss: κρίνω to pick out, choose
Dodson: κρίνω I judge, decide, think good
(a) I judge, whether in a law-court or privately: sometimes with cognate nouns emphasizing the notion of the verb, (b) I decide, I think (it) good.
Thayer:
1) to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose
2) to approve, esteem, to prefer
3) to be of opinion, deem, think, to be of opinion
4) to determine, resolve, decree
5) to judge
5a) to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong
5a1) to be judged, i.e. summoned to trial that one's case may be examined and judgment passed upon it
5b) to pronounce judgment, to subject to censure
5b1) of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others
6) to rule, govern
6a) to preside over with the power of giving judicial decisions, because it was the prerogative of kings and rulers to pass judgment
7) to contend together, of warriors and combatants
7a) to dispute
7b) in a forensic sense
7b1) to go to law, have suit at law
2) to approve, esteem, to prefer
3) to be of opinion, deem, think, to be of opinion
4) to determine, resolve, decree
5) to judge
5a) to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong
5a1) to be judged, i.e. summoned to trial that one's case may be examined and judgment passed upon it
5b) to pronounce judgment, to subject to censure
5b1) of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others
6) to rule, govern
6a) to preside over with the power of giving judicial decisions, because it was the prerogative of kings and rulers to pass judgment
7) to contend together, of warriors and combatants
7a) to dispute
7b) in a forensic sense
7b1) to go to law, have suit at law
κρίνω
krinō kree'-no Properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish KJV Usage: avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
225 LSJ Gloss: ἀλήθεια truth
Dodson: ἀλήθεια truth truth, but not merely truth as spoken; truth of idea, reality, sincerity, truth in the moral sphere, divine truth revealed to man, straightforwardness.
Thayer:
1) objectively
1a) what is true in any matter under consideration
1a1) truly, in truth, according to truth
1a2) of a truth, in reality, in fact, certainly
1b) what is true in things appertaining to God and the duties of man, moral and religious truth
1b1) in the greatest latitude
1b2) the true notions of God which are open to human reason without his supernatural intervention
1c) the truth as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man, opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles and the inventions of the Jews, and the corrupt opinions and precepts of false teachers even among Christians
2) subjectively
2a) truth as a personal excellence
2a1) that candour of mind which is free from affection, pretence, simulation, falsehood, deceit
1a) what is true in any matter under consideration
1a1) truly, in truth, according to truth
1a2) of a truth, in reality, in fact, certainly
1b) what is true in things appertaining to God and the duties of man, moral and religious truth
1b1) in the greatest latitude
1b2) the true notions of God which are open to human reason without his supernatural intervention
1c) the truth as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man, opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles and the inventions of the Jews, and the corrupt opinions and precepts of false teachers even among Christians
2) subjectively
2a) truth as a personal excellence
2a1) that candour of mind which is free from affection, pretence, simulation, falsehood, deceit
2106LSJ Gloss: εὐδοκέω to be well pleased
Dodson: εὐδοκέω I am resolved, well-pleased I am well-pleased, think it good, am resolved.
Thayer:
1) it seems good to one, is one's good pleasure
1a) think it good, choose, determine, decide
1b) to do willingly
1c) to be ready to, to prefer, choose rather
2) to be well pleased with, take pleasure in, to be favourably inclined towards one
1a) think it good, choose, determine, decide
1b) to do willingly
1c) to be ready to, to prefer, choose rather
2) to be well pleased with, take pleasure in, to be favourably inclined towards one
εὐδοκέω
eudokeō yoo-dok-eh'-o From G2095 and G1380; to think well of, that is, approve (an act); specifically to approbate (a person or thing)
KJV Usage: think good, (be well) please (-d), be the good (have, take) pleasure, be willing.
93LSJ Gloss: ἀδικία wrong-doing, injustice
Dodson: ἀδικία unrighteousness injustice, unrighteousness, hurt.
Thayer:
1) injustice, of a judge
2) unrighteousness of heart and life
3) a deed violating law and justice, act of unrighteousness
2) unrighteousness of heart and life
3) a deed violating law and justice, act of unrighteousness
ἀδικία
adikia ad-ee-kee'-ah From G94; (legal) injustice (properly the quality, by implication the act); moral wrongfulness (of charater, life or act) KJV Usage: iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong.
There will be a judicial hearing for each person who did not believe in the truth, aletheia. I’m not sure this is talked about enough. Judgment is not pharisaical, as in people being ripped apart for every misstep, it is judgment based on one thing, aletheia. Who is truth? Jesus, John 14:6. Jesus is aletheia. Then, after being judged on that one point, the children of the Living God are separated out from the children of wrath. All the children of wrath will go through a judicial hearing at the white throne judgment, based on how much good or evil people have done. Remember, the Holy Spirit is our defense attorney and also the prosecuting attorney against the children of wrath. All the Jesus rejecters, all the gospel haters, all the people who think there is no such thing as truth, will be judged according to their works. This is one of the things the unbelievers scoff at, but there won’t be any scoffing on this day.
The children of wrath are well pleased in injustice. Why? Because the injustice is against someone else and in their own favor. They take pleasure in unrighteousness because it benefits them. They exploit others just as their father, the devil does. People like getting away with things. They like cheating and not getting caught. They enjoy getting ahead using deceptions and lies, especially when they think no one will catch them.
There is an interesting word usage here in verse 13. Every modern translation seems to translate this incorrectly. It says in the Greek “God takes you up away first, for deliverance.”
2 Thessalonians 2:13 (KJV)
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
The modern translations make it sound like God chose us from the beginning of the creation. That is not correct in this verse. That is a religious belief bias. Instead in the Greek it reads “God takes you up away chiefly for deliverance”.
2 Thessalonians 2:13G1473But we G1161 G3784ought G2168to give thanks G3588 G2316to God G3842at all times G4012concerning G1473you, G80brethren G25beloved G5259by G2962the Lord, G3754that G138[2took you up G1473 G3588 G23161God] G575from G746the beginning G1519forG4991deliverance G1722in G38sanctification G4151of spirit, G2532and G4102belief G225of truth,
138Dodson: αἱρέω I choose, prefer.
Thayer:
1) to take for oneself, to prefer, choose
2) to choose by vote, elect to office
αἱρέομαι
aihreomai hahee-reh'-om-ahee Probably akin to G142; to take for oneself, that is, to prefer . Some of the forms are borrowed from a cognate(ἕλλομαιh ellomai), which is otherwise obsolete KJV Usage: choose. Some of the forms are borrowed from a cognate hellomai, hel-lom-ahee; which is otherwise obsolete.
142LSJ Gloss: αἴρω to take up, raise, lift up
Dodson: αἴρω I raise, lift up I raise, lift up, take away, remove.
Thayer:
1) to raise up, elevate, lift up
1a) to raise from the ground, take up: stones
1b) to raise upwards, elevate, lift up: the hand
1c) to draw up: a fish
2) to take upon one's self and carry what has been raised up, to bear
3) to bear away what has been raised, carry off
3a) to move from its place
3b) to take off or away what is attached to anything
3c) to remove
3d) to carry off, carry away with one
3e) to appropriate what is taken
3f) to take away from another what is his or what is committed to him, to take by force
3g) to take and apply to any use
3h) to take from among the living, either by a natural death, or by violence
3i) cause to cease
αἴρω
airō ah'ee-ro A primary verb; to lift; by implication to take up or away; figuratively to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind); specifically to sail away (that is, weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare [H5375]) to expiate sin KJV Usage: away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).
575 ἀπό
apo apo' A primary particle; “off” , that is, away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literally or figuratively)
KJV Usage: (X here-) after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for (-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-) on (-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
746LSJ Gloss: ἀρχή a beginning, origin, first cause
Dodson: ἀρχή ruler, beginning (a) rule (kingly or magisterial), (b) plur: in a quasi-personal sense, almost: rulers, magistrates, (c) beginning.
Thayer:
1) beginning, origin
2) the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader
3) that by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active cause
4) the extremity of a thing
4a) of the corners of a sail
5) the first place, principality, rule, magistracy
5a) of angels and demons
ἀρχή
archē ar-khay' From G756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concrete) chief (in various applications of order, time, place or rank) KJV Usage: beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.
4991 LSJ Gloss: σωτηρία a saving, deliverance, preservation, safety
Dodson: σωτηρία deliverance, salvation welfare, prosperity, deliverance, preservation, salvation, safety.
Thayer:
1) deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation
1a) deliverance from the molestation of enemies
1b) in an ethical sense, that which concludes to the souls safety or salvation
1b1) of Messianic salvation
2) salvation as the present possession of all true Christians
3) future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God.
σωτηρία
sōtēria so-tay-ree'-ah Feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally) KJV Usage: deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.
Aihreomai #138, is used eleven times in scripture, and is almost always translated as “took”, “take”, or “take up”. Twice it is translated “seems good”. It appears it is according to someone’s religious beliefs that choose was used for this translation. It is a taking up of all who chose Him and His truth. God chooses us because we chose Him. As we previously studied, the path and plan of salvation was preordained, but the people receiving salvation were like a casting of lots, or a roll of the dice. Jesus made the offer and whoever chose it, receives salvation.
God raises you, takes you by force, away, before the commencement, or first, for rescue and deliverance. The word aihreomai from the word airō also means to “take forcefully”, “elevate”, or “take from among the living”. God forcefully carries you, just like the word harpazo which means “to seize”. Those who love the truth are forcefully lifted up from among the living in the beginning of the commencement of the lawless one’s coming. You are taken away by God for deliverance, salvation, and rescue. Why does God take us up for deliverance?
38LSJ Gloss: ἁγιασμός consecration, sanctification
Dodson: ἁγιασμός sanctification, holiness the process of making or becoming holy, set apart, sanctification, holiness, consecration.
Thayer:
1) consecration, purification
2) the effect of consecration
2a) sanctification of heart and life
ἁγιασμός
hagiasmos hag-ee-as-mos' From G37; properly purification, that is, (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier
KJV Usage: holiness, sanctification.
God takes us away for deliverance or rescue first, in sanctification or purification of pneuma, spirit, and belief of the truth which we were called by the gospel. Here again we see a magnification on believing the truth, aletheia. The taking up and away is for the sanctifying of our spirit. It is the making of our spirit pure. Today we do our best to walk in holiness, but on this day, the day the first judgment against the world is passed, and the children of the Living God are lifted up and off the earth, our spirit will be purified and restored to it’s original state, to what it was before the fall.
The children of the living God receive salvation and purification before the man of sin is revealed. At the commencement of the lawless one’s coming, we are taken up, off and away. Paul assumes they understand the harpazo so all he is doing is reiterating it with different words. Apo means “off” or “away from”. God is lifting up people off or away from the earth. We can see there is a big difference between God choosing people for deliverance and God taking people away, off the earth, for deliverance. The timing is “first”, before the man of sin is revealed. This is how religious bias has clouded the original words of Paul to the Thessalonians.
2 Thessalonians 2:14G1519in G3739which G2564he called G1473you G1223through G3588 G2098our good news G1473 G1519in G4047procurement G1391of the glory G3588 G2962of our Lord G1473 G*Jesus G5547Christ.
The Lord calls people through the good news; when they hear the words of truth, some cleave to the truth and some don’t. The ones who love the truth, aletheia, are taken up and away for deliverance. When this happens the lawless man of sin is revealed. If the lawless man of sin is not revealed, and there isn’t someone doing pseudo miracles or sitting in the Holy of Holies, then the harpazo has not occurred and the Day of the Lord is not taking place. Therefore, Paul encourages the Thessalonians to keep the traditions they heard from him, not from others, so that they will remain faithful. He then asks them to pray for him and the apostles traveling with him that they they would be rescued from unrighteous and hurtful men.
2 Thessalonians 3:1G3588For the G3062rest G4336pray G80brethren, G4012for G1473us, G2443that G3588the G3056word G3588of theG2962LordG5143should runG2532andG1392should be glorified, G2531as G2532also G4314to G1473you;
2G2532and G2443that G4506we should be rescued G575from G3588the G824unnatural G2532and G4190wicked G444men; G3756[4 is not G10631for G39565of all G35882the G41023belief].
824LSJ Gloss: ἄτοπος out of place
Dodson: ἄτοπος improper, unrighteous, perverse
(lit: out of place, unusual, unbecoming), improper, unrighteous, perverse.
Thayer:
1) out of place, not befitting, unbecoming
2) improper, wicked
3) unrighteous
4) inconvenient, harmful
2) improper, wicked
3) unrighteous
4) inconvenient, harmful
ἄτοπος
atopos at'-op-os From G1 (as a negative particle) and G5117; out of place, that is, (figuratively) improper, injurious, wicked KJV Usage: amiss, harm, unreasonable.
4190 LSJ Gloss: πονηρός toilsome, painful, grievous
Dodson: πονηρός evil, bad, wicked evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.
Thayer:
1) full of labours, annoyances, hardships
1a) pressed and harassed by labours
1b) bringing toils, annoyances, perils; of a time full of peril to Christian faith and steadfastness; causing pain and trouble
2) bad, of a bad nature or condition
2a) in a physical sense: diseased or blind
2b) in an ethical sense: evil wicked, bad
1a) pressed and harassed by labours
1b) bringing toils, annoyances, perils; of a time full of peril to Christian faith and steadfastness; causing pain and trouble
2) bad, of a bad nature or condition
2a) in a physical sense: diseased or blind
2b) in an ethical sense: evil wicked, bad
πονηρός
ponēros pon-ay-ros' From a derivative of G4192; hurtful, that is, evil(properly in effect or influence, and thus differing from G2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from G4550, which indicates degeneracy from original virtue); figuratively calamitous; also (passively) ill, that is, diseased; but especially (morally) culpable, that is, derelict, vicious, facinorous; neuter (singular) mischief, malice, or (plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural) sinners KJV Usage: bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked (-ness). See also G4191.
Paul enlists the help of he Thessalonian church by asking them to pray that Paul and his companions would be rescued from unrighteous wicked people because faith in the Lord Jesus is not believed by all people. Some people do not accept Jesus’ offer. Paul then says the Lord will support and guard from evil.
2 Thessalonians 3:3G4103But trustworthy G1161 G1510.2.3is G3588the G2962Lord, G3739who G4741will support G1473you, G2532and G5442will guard you G575from G3588the G4190evil.
4741 LSJ Gloss: στηρίζω to make fast, prop, fix, set
Dodson: στηρίζω I fix firmly, strengthen (a) I fix firmly, direct myself towards, (b) generally met: I buttress, prop, support; I strengthen, establish.
Thayer:
1) to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix
2) to strengthen, make firm
3) to render constant, confirm, one's mind
2) to strengthen, make firm
3) to render constant, confirm, one's mind
στηρίζω
stērizō stay-rid'-zo From a presumed derivative of G2476 (like G4731); to set fast, that is, (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (figuratively) to confirm KJV Usage: fix, (e-) stablish, stedfastly set, strengthen.
5442 LSJ Gloss: φυλάσσω to keep watch and ward, keep guard
Dodson: φυλάσσω I keep, guard, observe (a) I guard, protect; mid: I am on my guard, (b) act. and mid. of customs and regulations: I keep, observe.
Thayer:
1) to guard
1a) to watch, keep watch
1b) to guard or watch, have an eye upon: lest he escape
1c) to guard a person (or thing) that he may remain safe
1c1) lest he suffer violence, be despoiled, etc. to protect
1c2) to protect one from a person or thing
1c3) to keep from being snatched away, preserve safe and unimpaired
1c4) to guard from being lost or perishing
1c5) to guard one's self from a thing
1d) to guard i.e. care for, take care not to violate
1d1) to observe
2) to observe for one's self something to escape
2a) to avoid, shun flee from
2b) to guard for one's self (i.e. for one's safety's sake) so as not to violate, i.e. to keep, observe (the precepts of the Mosaic law)
For Synonyms see entry G5874
1a) to watch, keep watch
1b) to guard or watch, have an eye upon: lest he escape
1c) to guard a person (or thing) that he may remain safe
1c1) lest he suffer violence, be despoiled, etc. to protect
1c2) to protect one from a person or thing
1c3) to keep from being snatched away, preserve safe and unimpaired
1c4) to guard from being lost or perishing
1c5) to guard one's self from a thing
1d) to guard i.e. care for, take care not to violate
1d1) to observe
2) to observe for one's self something to escape
2a) to avoid, shun flee from
2b) to guard for one's self (i.e. for one's safety's sake) so as not to violate, i.e. to keep, observe (the precepts of the Mosaic law)
For Synonyms see entry G5874
φυλάσσω
phulassō foo-las'-so Probably from G5443 through the idea of isolation; to watch, that is, be on guard (literally or figuratively); by implication to preserve . obey, avoid KJV Usage: beware, keep (self), observe, save.
The Lord will strengthen and preserve His people. Even when wicked evil people feel the need to persecute the children of the Living God, His children will be strengthened and preserved and delivered to life.
Paul does a little housekeeping, as he wraps up his letter.
2 Thessalonians 3:4-18 (KJV)
4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
While we patiently wait for Christ, we should direct our hearts into the love of God. We don’t know when he will call us and we will be resurrected from the dead, or rise from earth, so we might as well direct our heart to the love of God. Paul then commands the Thessalonian Church not to hang around people who behave disorderly.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
“Command” is strong language. Why is Paul being so aggressive? This is the only way to preserve the Church and keep them on the right path. They had already been confused by someone else teaching falsely, Paul is trying to keep their knowledge pure. This may have been a great admonition as we notice Jesus did not point out the Thessalonian Church in his seven letters to the churches in Revelation. Paul then goes on to more housekeeping, pointing out that everyone should be working.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
No one should be sponging off another, everyone should work honestly. Instead of going around from group to group looking for handouts and spreading gossip, people should be earning a living.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Don’t be tired of doing what is right. Paul again uses strong words saying not to have company with people who don’t obey Paul’s words by this letter. Don’t make anyone an enemy, but instead encourage him like a brother.
If we notice the practical living side of Paul’s letter we realize he is not speaking all prophetically. His prophetic words for the future are what we all should be looking at, to know our place in time. Time is linear, it moves forward, just like ordinal numbers. Therefore keeping these things in order, we know it is not the Day of the Lord, and we know the harpazo has not come, and we know that the man of sin has not been revealed. There are many men of sin, but no temple for one to sit in and claim he is god. We also know that no matter what day it is we are to direct our hearts to the love of God and the love of the truth, Jesus our Messiah.
It is understandable that humans get impatient. But there are people who throw away some of the details of Paul’s prophetic words so that they can be the first to announce the parousia of the Lord. But wishing doesn’t make it so. Being first to announce something, yet being completely wrong is not an honor either. This is not a game. No one gets a prize for announcing that the tribulation is upon us, even if it were, but especially not if that one is wrong. What good is being first in this situation? Wouldn’t it be better to uncover the details, and teach them, even if it goes against the religion of the majority, so that all may know the truth? It is not an honor sowing confusion into the Body of Christ with mixed-up timelines and false ideas.
Love the truth. Loving the truth brings deliverance. Loving the truth delivers others. Knowing that Paul has clearly stated in both letters to the Thessalonians that the redeemed are seized and taken up away from the earth first, and become the above congregation, before the man of sin is revealed, is important information. It is also important to know that the judgment is between those who love the truth, aletheia, and those who do not. Then later, there will be a judicial hearing for the children of wrath. These ideas of Paul’s are far more important for us to share so that none may fall away from aletheia, Jesus, who is the way the truth and the life.
