Unpacking 2 Thessalonians
By Jonathan Mitchell
Part 3
In this short investigation, we will simply examine a few significant statements by Paul, in Chapter 3, and drink in the Life which they offer us. Here, he makes closing remarks and gives some direction about certain kinds of behavior which may be within their called-out community. We will skip over the issues which he addresses, and focus on his more general points. And so, to begin...
1. The remainder (or: What is left; Finally), brothers (siblings; = family), keep on praying concerning us (surrounding us with words and thoughts toward having goodness, ease, well-being and success), to the end that the Word of the Lord (or: the Lord's Logos; this pattern-forming Message, Influence, and flow of meaning-bearing Information from the Lord; the Reason and Blueprint, which are the Lord,) would continuously run (move quickly; spread rapidly; [cf Acts 6:7; 12:24; 13:49; 19:20]) and may constantly be made glorious in an assumed appearance (or: would be characterized by a manifestation which calls forth praise, producing a good reputation; can be imagined), just like, and to the same degree as, also [it is] to, and face to face with, you folks,
2. and then, that we may be rescued (dragged out) away from these out-of-place (improper; absurd; abnormal; off-base; weird; outrageous; perverse; unbecoming) and misery-gushing people (or: unprofitable, useless, unsound, or evil, folks), for you see, not everyone [is] disposed to the faith (or: this trust and loyalty [is] not associated with all people; not [yet is] the faith a source for all folks; not from all people [do we find] the faithfulness; conviction [is presently] not a possession of all people; this trusting allegiance [does] not [now] pertain to everyone).
The prayers from those Thessalonians was expected to have an effect upon the ministry of Paul and his associates. Remember Jas. 5:16b,
"A confining need (or: A petition and an entreaty out of need; [cf Gen. 20:17; Nu. 11:2; Deut. 9:18; Josh. 10:12-13; 1 Ki. 13:6; Dan. 2:18-23]) of a person within the Way pointed out (of a fair and equitable person; of one in right relationship; or: from a rightwised and rightly aligned man; from a right and just one) - which progressively works inwardly and itself continuously creates energy from union - constantly exerts much strength."
Now in vs. 1, the word for praying is proseuchomai, and means, in this context, "surrounding us with words and thoughts toward having goodness, ease, well-being and success." This was not asking God to do something for Paul and the other, but it was thinking and/or speaking "toward" them and their situations. That "toward" is from the 'pros' part of the word. If we are joined to the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17), and He is within us, then it is He and we, in joined thought and speech, projecting "goodness, ease, well-being and success" (the 'eu' part of the word) toward the object of our "prayer." It is projecting blessing from within us to them and their situations.
And why is Paul asking them to do this? Well, here is his purpose statement: "the end that the Word of the Lord would continuously run and may constantly be made glorious in an assumed appearance." Wow! Look at the inner power (means of influence) their continued praying would have.
What did Paul mean by, "the Word of the Lord"? Was he referring to their preaching and teaching? Well, yes, probably. Was it meaning the Scriptures that they may quote? Yes, that too. But let us consider the Greek word for "Word." The parenthetical expansion offers this semantic range for the term, the Logos:
a) this pattern-forming Message
b) the Influence and flow of meaning-bearing Information
c) the Reason and Blueprint.
Add to this that the phrase "the Lord" can be rendered in multiple ways from its form in the Greek:
a) of the Lord
b) the Lord's (possessive)
c) from the Lord (indicating origin)
d) which is the Lord (genitive of apposition).
All of these functions of the genitive case of the noun make sense, and should be considered. Also, keep in mind John 1:1ff, and how the term Logos is used there: it is God. And now we can better understand why Paul expected the Logos of God to "run (move quickly; spread rapidly)." The Word has its own Power, and this is much more than the message simply "spreading by word of mouth," as we might say. Call to mind Heb. 4:12,
We suggest that Paul meant much more than it spreading by "word of mouth." In Acts 6:7 we find this statement:
"And so the Logos of God (or: God's idea, message; the Word from God, which was God) kept on progressively growing and increasing (also: = God's Reason was spreading out like a growing Vine)..."
Another statement, in Acts 11:1, sheds light on Paul's request in 3:1, above:
"Now the sent-forth folks and the brothers (= fellow believers or members of the brotherhood) who were down throughout Judea heard that the ethnic groups of the nations (the non-Jews; Gentiles) also welcomingly received and embraced the Logos of God (or: the Word which is God; the message and information from God; God's thought, idea, reason and blueprint)."
Similar to Acts 6:7, is Acts 12:24,
"But the Logos of God (God's Word, Thought, Reason and Idea; or: the message pertaining to, and from, God; the conveyance of Meaning-bearing Information, and the flow of Communication that is a Pattern-forming Influence, which is God; [B reads: the Lord {= Christ or Yahweh}]) kept on growing (increasing) and continued being multiplied." [cf Acts 19:10; 20:2, 7, 32]
In Acts 16:14 we read of Lydia, a woman who stood in awe of God,
"whose heart (core of her being) the Lord [= Yahweh, or, Christ] at once completely opened up (or: opened back wide) to continue holding to, attentively accepting and being devoted to the things being presently and progressively spoken by (or: under) Paul."
Now consider what else Paul expected the Word to do:
"may constantly be made glorious in an assumed appearance (or: would be characterized by a manifestation which calls forth praise, producing a good reputation; can be imagined)."
The term doxazo means "made glorious," and the semantic range includes the ideas of an assumed appearance, a manifestation which calls forth praise, a good reputation, and that which can be imagined. Paul means by this that all of this would be applied to God as His Logos runs and spreads quickly. Can you imagine this? God's Logos is dynamic, and continues being the same, yesterday, today and on into the ages. Ponder that!
The next request (vs. 2) is that Paul and his friends
"that we may be rescued (dragged out) away from these out-of-place (improper; absurd; abnormal; off-base; weird; outrageous; perverse; unbecoming) and misery-gushing people (or: unprofitable, useless, unsound, or evil, folks)."
It seems that Paul, and company were not in good circumstances... and yet he was taking the time to write encouragement and advice to those in Thessalonica. He believed that their prayers would be employed to rescue him, and the others. Such a desire is a common human experience. And in this life,
"not everyone [is] disposed to the faith."
For many it will not come until the next life, or at least, after this life. Each one in his or her own class or order (1 Cor. 15:22-23).
But there are other ways to render the last clause of vs. 2:
a) this trust and loyalty [is] not associated with all people
b) not [yet is] the faith a source for all folks
c) not from all people [do we find] the faithfulness
d) conviction [is presently] not a possession of all people
e) this trusting allegiance [does] not [now] pertain to everyone.
The difficulty with this clause is that there is and ellipsis: no verb. So the translator has to supply a verb, for the English language, and then draw from the various functions of the genitive, masculine, plural of the word, "all," in order to complete the thought. These options are on offer. May the Spirit enlighten us for the best understanding of Paul's meaning.
3. But the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] is (or: exists) continuously faithful (loyal; full of faith; allegiant), who will progressively establish (set you to stand fast and stable) and keep (guard; protect; maintain) you folks away from the malicious person (or: the unsound and unprofitable; the painful labor; the malignant situation).
Now Paul is talking about his audience, "you folks." His proclamation to them is a prayer... a statement for their having "goodness, ease and well-being." He believes that these thoughts are in line with Jas. 5:15b, above, and so they "constantly exerts much strength." On behalf of these Thessalonians. He can say these things because he is basing his thoughts and words on the faithfulness of the Lord. This community was founded by the Logos that was proclaimed to them, and so Paul is confident (as we will see in vs. 4) that the Lord will finish the work by progressively establishing them, and then guard them, while maintaining them and keeping them away from the malicious person. The same applies to us. Because we have received His Logos, we can trust Him.
4. Yet we have been persuaded, and so have settled confidence, centered in, and in union with, [the] Lord (or: Master; [= Christ or Yahweh]), regarding you folks, that the things which we are repeatedly passing along as an announcement to you people, you folks both habitually do and will continue doing (or: normally produce and will keep on producing).
Notice that this "persuasion and settled confidence" are "centered in, and in union with, [the] Lord." And this confidence is in regard to the folks to whom he is writing. He is persuaded that they will habitually do... and "continue doing," the things that Paul had taught them. What an encouraging word to receive... like children from their father. Paul is doing good parenting, here (1 Cor. 4:15).
5. So may the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] make fully straight, then direct and guide, your hearts into the midst of the Love which God is, and God's urge toward union (the unambiguous, accepting Love from God), and into the relentless patient endurance, which is Christ (or: this persistent remaining under to support, from the Anointed One, and which is the Anointing)!
What a beautiful prayer. Observe that Paul expects the Lord to be personally and intimately involved with and in the lives of these folks. No theism, here! And the goal of this directing and guiding: "into the midst of the Love which God is," or said otherwise, into "God's urge toward union" with them.
Wow! But for the ordeals which would come, they would also be guided
"into the relentless patient endurance, which is Christ."
Talk about being in a good place, spiritually! Notice the other options for this compound phrase:
"this persistent remaining under to support [others], from the Anointed One, and which is the Anointing."
Verses 6 through 15 involve behavior of individuals within the called-out community, and advice toward how to respond to folks who are not flowing well within the group. This study will pass over most of Paul's remarks in this passage, but we will quote vss. 13-15, which shows examples of the heart of love toward those displaying deviant behavior.
13. Yet you yourselves, brothers (= fellow members of the body), while continually doing well (performing beautifully; creating the ideal; producing finely; making excellence), you should not at any point be in a bad disposition (or: be in, or do from within, what is ugly, worthless or of poor quality; behave in a bad manner; or: become discouraged or give up).
We should observe, here, that the behavior of another person should not negatively affect us so as to put us in "a bad disposition," or respond in ways such as presented in the parenthetical expansion.
14. But if a certain person continuously does not obey (or: listen under and humbly pay attention to) our word (or: message; logos; blueprint; thought and idea) through this letter, you folks be regularly noting this person (or: let it be a sign to you regarding this one) and do not constantly mix yourselves together with him or her, to the end that he or she can (or: would) be turned about (or: be turned back upon himself; or: = to consider his situation and behavior).
Notice the purpose clause: to the end that this person would be "turned about." Our behavior toward others should always be redemptive in nature. Paul's advice in this letter should be seen in the cultural context of that time and their community. Our being led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14) is our primary motivation.
15. And yet, you must not consider [him or her] as an enemy, but rather you must continuously admonish (or: put [him or her] in mind to mentor), as one from the same Womb (or: as being a sibling [to him or her]; or: = as him or her being a fellow believer).
They are to be considered as Family, as a part of the Body, and in no way be rejected. Love is the Supreme rule for our behavior toward all.
Now we will consider the gems to be unpacked in Paul's closing statements:
16. Now may the Lord of the Peace (or: the Master, Who is this Peace and harmony, from the Joining), Himself, at once give this Peace and Joining to, and in, you folks through everything and through all humanity (or: through all [time] and every [situation]), within every turn (or: in every way and manner; [other MSS read: within every place]). The Lord (or: Master; or: = Christ or Yahweh) [is] in company with, and in the midst of, all of you.
His words in the first sentence are more than just a generalized benediction. They are most appropriate in light of vss. 13-15, and they remind his audience that their social environment should be that of Peace that comes with "the Joining." The Greek word for peace comes from the verb that means "to join." Not only are we joined to the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17), but we are joined in the One New Humanity, in Christ (Eph. 2:10-22). The last compound phrase is instructive in regard to the scope of the context of this Joining: "through everything and through all humanity (etc.)." The form of the word "every/all" functions both as a masculine (signifying "people") and neuter (signifying "things, times, situations").
And then, this Peace and Joining from our Master is "within every turn, way, manner, or place." We are never apart from the presence of His Joining us to everyone, and of the resulting Peace that He gives us (Jn. 14:27).
The second statement informs Paul's entire letter: the Lord is present... in company with, and in the midst of, all of us. We should live our lives with this awareness.
17. This greeting (salutation) is by my hand - Paul's - which is a sign in every letter; thus, in this way, I normally (or: from time to time) write.
18. The Grace (or: joyous Favor) of, from, and which is, our Lord, Jesus Christ, [is] with all of you! Amen.
This Grace, which also means joyous Favor, both comes from the Lord and is the Lord. It, and He, are with all. When we receive His Grace, we receive Him.
Jonathan
Return To Jonathan Mitchell's Page