2 Thessalonians 1

Paul opens his letter by saying, “I hope you’re experiencing kindness and peace that come from God the Father and from our leader, Jesus the Messiah” (2 Thessalonians 1:2). That might sound like a bad joke since Paul and the people to whom he is writing know the people are suffering “persecution and trouble” (v. 4). What do you think kindness and peace that come from God look like when you are in the middle of intense suffering? If it helps, the Greek word behind “kindness” is charis, a word much richer in meaning. It’s usually translated “grace,” and it often refers to the merciful kindness of God.

Paul wrote as though he believed Jesus was coming back any minute. He said he expected that the people in Thessalonica, like himself, would be relieved of their troubles “when Jesus returns from heaven, with his entourage of mighty angels” (2 Thessalonians 1:7). Didn’t happen. Jesus did not come back, as far as we can tell from reading ancient Christian writings. Christians continued to suffer. Paul was executed, beheaded according to some reports. Did Paul get it wrong?

Paul said Jesus would “come in flaming fire to administer the punishment for those who don’t know God” (2 Thessalonians 1:8). Do you think we should read that literally, or is Paul using some metaphor here when he describes the fire and the punishment?

Paul said that the punishment for refusing to embrace the good news is “everlasting death” (2 Thessalonians 1:9). The footnote in the Casual English Bible says the term is also translated “eternal destruction.” Some Christians argue that punishment is not eternal suffering in hell. They argue that it is eternal death—that the soul is annihilated and ceases to exist. In other words, sinners won’t suffer endlessly. They’ll be destroyed, which is what fire does. It’s the destruction, not the suffering, that will last forever. Christians who say they believe this find support in something Jesus said: “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28, New Living Translation). That is not the traditional Christian way of understanding hell. What do you think about this?

LIFE APPLICATION. Paul wrote, “We tell the people about your patience and your faith in the middle of all the persecution and trouble you’re suffering” (2 Thessalonians 1:4). Do you have any examples you can tell us about—of people who suffered but who deserved admiration for the way they handled it?