The Analysed Bible, Volumes 1, 2, 3, by Rev. G. Campbell Morgan: The Book of 2 Thessalonians - Analysed and Explained in Detail (Full Text and PDF).

A detailed analysis of the book of 2 Thessalonians: Christ and His Advent.

To the best of our knowledge we are of the understanding that this book, being published in 1907, and freely available elsewhere on the internet is in the public domain.

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The Book of 2 Thessalonians - Analysed and Explained in Summary - Volumes 1, 2, and 3 of "The Analysed Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.

To the best of our knowledge we are of the understanding that this book, taken from Volumes 1, 2, & 3 of the "Analysed Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan published in 1907, and freely available elsewhere on the internet is in the public domain.

2 THESSALONIANS - CHRIST AND HIS ADVENT

INTRODUCTION - 2 Thessalonians 1:1-1:5

1. Salutation - 2Thes. 1:1-1:2

2. Thanksgiving - 2Thes. 1:3-1:5

Part A: CONSOLATION - THE SECOND ADVENT AND THEIR TRIBULATION - 2 Thessalonians 1:6-1:12

A1. The Revelation of the Lord Jesus - 2Thes. 1:6-1:10

  1. The Central Fact. Twofold Aspect. Rest to the Saints. Vengeance to the Evil
  2. The Union of the Saints with Him. The medium of Manifestation

A2. The Prayer - 2Thes. 1:11-1:12

  1. Its immediate Desires
  2. Its ultimate Desire

Part B: INSTRUCTION - THE SECOND ADVENT AS TO ITS ORDER - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2:12

B1. The Coming and the Day - 2Thes. 2:1-2:5

  1. The Distinction
  2. The Signs of the coming of the Day. A falling away. Manifestation of the man of Sin

B2. Lawlessness and the Lord Jesus - 2Thes. 2:6-2:12

  1. The two Forces. Mystery of Lawlessness. One that restraineth
  2. The two Revealings. The lawless one. The Lord Jesus

Part C: EXHORTATION - THE SECOND ADVENT AND THEIR PRESENT DUTY - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:15

C1. Chosen Stand - 2Thes. 2:13-2:17

  1. Chosen to Salvation
  2. Stand fast in the Truth

C2. Pray - Do - 2Thes. 3:1-3:5

  1. "Pray for us"
  2. Declaration of his confidence in them

C3. Work - 2Thes. 3:6-3:15

  1. The Apostolic example. Some neglecting their calling
  2. No work, no food! The mistaken one to be admonished as a brother

CONCLUSION - 2 Thessalonians 3:16-3:18

1. Benediction - 2Thes. 3:16

  1. The Need
  2. The Lord

2. Salutation - 2Thes. 3:17

3. The Benediction - 2Thes. 3:18

Introduction - 2 Thessalonians 1:1-1:5

This letter was evidently intended primarily to correct certain mistakes which the Thessalonians were making concerning the second advent; and thereby to strengthen them in the midst of their suffering, and recall some of them to devotion to present duty. Whether these mistakes arose from misinterpretation of his first letter, or from the influence of false teachers, is matter of small moment. In all probability both these elements had contributed to the result. It would almost seem as if some spurious letters, purporting to have come from the apostle, had been used in order to teach views of the second advent which were untrue.

The idea that the great day of the Lord, in which He would take vengeance on evil men, was approaching, was calculated to weaken their patience; and it had already rendered certain of them careless and unsettled in the matter of their daily calling. The letter, therefore, sets their tribulation in the light of the advent, by showing its true relation thereto; corrects mistakes concerning the order of the advent; and urges them to devotion to duty. It may be divided thus: Introduction (1:1-1:5); Consolation (1:6-1:12); Instruction (2;1-2:12); Exhortation (2;13-3:15); Conclusion (3:16-3:18).

Again the apostle associated Silvanus and Timothy with himself in the salutation. From this it would appear probable that the second letter followed the first quickly. The greeting is almost identical with that of the first. There is, however, the addition of the words "from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" which he almost invariably used in subsequent letters.

He announced his thankfulness concerning them, giving a threefold reason - that of their present condition, the fact that they had been an argument for him, and the evidence of their patience. In dealing with their condition he did not refer to their hope. The two foundation facts dealt with in the earlier epistle are recognized, but the third is not mentioned. There is the most intimate inter-relationship between faith, love, and hope. Whenever one of these, from any reason, is weakened, sooner or later the others languish.

A. Consolation - The Second Advent and their Tribulation - 2 Thessalonians 1:6-1:12

In order to the consolation of those who were troubled through misinterpretation of the truth of the second advent, the apostle first dealt with the subject of the revelation of the Lord Jesus, and then told them of his perpetual prayer for them.

In dealing with the subject of the revelation he declared that it is to be for a definite purpose, that of vengeance. The connection of the saints with that apocalypse is, first, rest at the appearing; and finally, that they are to constitute the medium through which all His glory will be manifested and marvelled at in the succeeding ages.

"To that end," that is with such a consummation in view, the apostle prayed that God might count them worthy of such calling, fulfilling every desire and good work; the deepest desire of his heart being that at last in the fulness of inter-relation Christ may be glorified in them, and they in Christ.

B. Instruction - The Second Advent as to its Order - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2:12

The apostle now made a clear statement of the order of events connected with the second advent of Jesus, in order to explain what he had already written, and to deliver them from the confusion of ideas which was threatening to diminish their steadfastness by dimming their hope. He did this in two sections; in the first of which he showed the distinction between the coming, and the day; and in the second the relation between lawlessness and the Lord Jesus.

For "the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" they were to wait, for it is to be the occasion of the gathering of the saints to Himself. The day of the Lord is not "just at hand," nor can it come until certain other matters have been accomplished. He warned them against confusing the hope of the parousia of Jesus with the fact of His manifestation to men, whereby shall be ushered in the day of the Lord.

Having thus referred to the day of the Lord, and to that revealing of the man of sin which is to precede it, the apostle described the present condition of affairs, and traced them toward the great crisis. Two forces are in conflict, "the mystery of lawlessness," and the "One that restraineth." The former is at work like leaven, fermenting, corrupting, and the manifestations of its presence are everywhere. The latter, as salt and light, prevents the spread of corruption, and utter darkness. This conflict is for a season. At the coming of Jesus the "One that restraineth" will be taken away, and "the mystery of lawlessness" will reveal itself in a person. In the day of the Lord, by the revelation of Jesus, the lawless one will be destroyed.

C. Exhortation - The Second Advent and their Present Duty - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:15

The last division is one pre-eminently of exhortation, in which he first described their position, and urged them to stand, then asked their prayer, and finally insisted upon the importance of work.

They were chosen to salvation, that is, ultimately, "to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." He charged them therefore to stand fast, and hold the traditions. Thus he warned them against allowing any part of the foundation-truths at first declared to be forgotten, or to cease to have their proper influence upon their lives.

The appeal to them to pray for him and his work reveals how his heart was burdened and exercised about the work at Corinth and in other cities. Again he affirmed his confidence in them, and expressed hope for their continued patience.

The last section of this division is emphatic to the verge of severity. The apostle was dealing with a material evidence of weakness, and his words ring with authority, and admit of no possible manner of misconstruction. There were some in Thessalonica who were neglecting their lawful earthly calling, and had become chargeable to others, largely through misunderstanding of the doctrine of the second advent. This was wholly wrong, and contrary to the true meaning and intention of the hope of the advent. This the apostle urged upon their attention by the significant fact that, when he ministered the Word to them, he did not withdraw himself from the ordinary avocation of his daily life. The matter was so serious that he charged those who were loyal to withdraw themselves from those who walked disorderly. In further enforcement the apostle laid down a great principle of life. "If any man will not work, neither let him eat." This is drastic and final. Any view of the advent, or, indeed, any view of life, which makes work distasteful, and causes its neglect, ought to, and must stay all food supplies. Again he charged them that, if any man disregarded these injunctions, they were to have no company with him.

Conclusion - 2 Thessalonians 3:16-3:18

The letter closes with words of tender desire on their behalf. He did not forget their troublous circumstances, and supremely desired peace for them. Peace, however, for him, was only associated with the Lordship of Jesus, Whom he here spoke of as "the Lord of Peace," and Whose presence will assure them that blessing.

A personal salutation, and the apostle's declaration that his signature is guarantee of the genuineness of his writing, was for their safeguarding against spurious communications, such as had caused them trouble in the matter of the advent.

There is the addition of one little word to the final benediction as compared with its form in the first epistle. It is the word "all." Does not the apostle here take in the disorderly as well, and so reveal the greatness of his heart and love for them?