Mens Study - 2Thessalonians (01) - Chapter 1

Saturday January 10, 2014
TEXT: 2 Thessalonians 1:1–3:18 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; 4 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. 5 This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. 6 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed — for our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

INTRO/REVIEW QUESTIONS - What if you knew Jesus would return today? What would you do?
Was the church in Thessalonica a good church? What was the “atmosphere” of 1 Thess.?
Where did Paul write this letter? Acts 18. When did Paul write this letter?

INTERPRETATION QUESTIONS
What is the tone of the introduction? vv1-4
How does Paul view suffering? vv4-5
What will God do in light of such suffering? vv6-9
What will happen to those who do not “know God” and do not “obey the gospel”? v8
When will this retribution happen?
Is this retribution “imminent”?

What are some “orthodox” options on this passages “coming” (parousia)?
Option 1: Challenges to Option 1?
Option 2: Challenges to Option 2?
Option 3: Challenges to Option 3?