While it’s not stated in the letter, it appears that in light of their fallacy around the day of the Lord, some of the Thessalonians had given up working in anticipation of the Lord’s return. Paul addresses this disorderly conduct quite strongly as he closes his letter. Paul uses the word brother because these were believers who were not living in a manner befitting of being in Jesus Christ. Paul had previously issued a warning for those who were idle (1 Thess 5:14), now he commanded the church to keep away from those in the church who were being idle and not living according to the tradition Paul had taught. Paul had not only taught them but he set them an example in his own conduct. Though he had every right as an apostle to earn his living from the gospel, he chose to work and support himself. Paul wasn’t saying he didn’t accept the gift of hospitality and enjoy a meal shared by others. He earned a living so that he wouldn’t be a burden to anyone he was ministering to. Paul’s principle was that whoever chooses not to work, chooses not to eat. Charity should not be provided to those who can work but choose not to. The idea is that their hunger should motivate them to do what they ought to do. These people were not only being idle, but they were also meddling in others’ work. The saying, “idle hands are the devil’s playground” springs to mind. When we don’t engage in constructive work (not discounting appropriate rest) then we open ourselves up to further sin. Paul commanded those idle people to settle down and earn their own living quietly, but he linked it to their relationship with Jesus. Sin flares up when we are out of communion with Jesus. The solution to all sin problems begins with a return to Jesus.

Paul reminds those who are doing good not to grow weary. When those around us seem to prosper while doing wrong, we may be tempted to give up and join them. But we must never tire of doing what is right. Paul told them to separate from those who do wrong so that they might feel the shame of their sin and repent. In this specific instance, disassociation would force them to figure out how to eat without the charity of their church family. Paul reminds them that all such discipline within the church is to be done with brotherly love. The point is not to be hostile to the offender but to patiently admonish them to acknowledge their error and change their ways. Repentance and restoration should always be the goal.

Paul concludes his letter wishing them the peace of God at all times and in every way. Believers experience the peace of God when we are living in a right relationship to the will of God—when we are obedient. When we are right with God, we can experience His peace in our lives at all times, regardless of our circumstances. Paul typically dictated his letters through a scribe, possibly because he suffered from poor eyesight (Gal 4:15; 6:11). Paul wrote the final greeting in his own handwriting, in a way signing the document, so his readers would know that the words of the letter were genuinely his.

Some may hear Paul’s words with an insensitive ear when times are hard and finding work is difficult. But Paul is specifically talking to people who can work but choose not to. Every one of us can examine ourselves and know whether we are doing all we can to be productive members of our community and not idle leeches on others. Is sin finding a foothold in your life because you are not keeping busy like you ought to?

Paul not only prayed for the churches he planted, but he asked them to pray for his ministry of spreading the word of the Lord. He desired that the gospel would move swiftly ahead and be honoured. The word had been effectively received by the Thessalonians and Paul desired that it would continue to do so elsewhere. He also asked for prayer for deliverance from wicked and evil men. As Paul moved from place to place, his ability to share the gospel could be hindered by those who opposed the gospel message. The Thessalonians had experienced this first hand (Acts 17:5-9). Despite this prayer, Paul also knew that God even used opposition to advance the gospel. Later, in Philippi, Paul wrote from prison, “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, …” (Phil 1:12-18). Those who opposed the gospel did so because they did not have faith, they resisted the free gift of God. But God is faithful. He always fulfils His promises. Because of God’s faithfulness, Paul was confident that through God’s work in them, the Thessalonians would obey his instructions. Paul didn’t expect his readers to make lasting changes in their lives because of their strength of will or sheer determination. Paul knew that lasting change towards godliness only comes because of a heart inclined to God and the resulting work of God in their hearts.

Is there an area of sin in your life that you are battling to breakthrough? Instead of trying harder, focus your efforts on prayer and time in God’s word. “May the Lord direct your heart to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” As you abide in Christ, He will change you from the inside.

Paul continues his discussion of the tribulation by pointing out that the Antichrist will be enabled directly by Satan. He will display power, false signs, and wonders. These are the same words that are used to describe the miracles of Jesus (Acts 2:22). The Antichrist will be able to misrepresent himself as God and people will believe him. This is a wicked deception because these signs will be seen as positive but the motivation behind them is wicked. People will be deceived because they have already refused to love truth and have ignored the opportunity to be saved. Therefore God will give them over to what they have already chosen. Because they have refused to believe what is true, God will hand them over to what is false (Rom 1:18-25) so they may be fully condemned for their pleasure in unrighteousness. This does not mean that everyone will be deceived. Some will be saved during the time of tribulation but it seems like it will be considerably more difficult. Revelation 7:4,14 speaks of 144,000 Jewish witnesses or evangelists who will spread the gospel to Jews and Gentiles during this period.

Paul is again driven to pray for the Thessalonians and give thanks to God for them. He reminded them they are loved by God because they were chosen to be spared (saved) from this tribulation. Believers are set apart by the work of the Holy Spirit because of their belief in the truth (in contrast to those who refused to love the truth and so be saved). Not only will believers escape the tribulation but we are able to share in Christ’s glory. The degree to which we will share in Christ’s glory is based on how we live today. Therefore Paul encouraged them to stand firm and hold fast to what they had been taught by Paul when he was with them and through his letters. Paul concludes by praying that the Thessalonians would be comforted by God and that He would establish them in every good work.

Paul reminds his readers to get back to the truth of God’s word to avoid error. He renews their hope by emphasising their unchanging position in Christ but then spurs them on to good works. Where are you in your walk with God? Do you need a reminder of truth to bring you back to God? Or do you need a reminder of your calling to good works so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that are easily applied to everyday situations. Consider carefully which of the sayings you’ve read today are particularly applicable to you today and in the coming week. What do you need to change or do more of to make use of God’s wisdom in your life?

Paul moves to address the main point of his letter, the confusion that had begun to develop in the Thessalonian church about the return of Jesus. The day of the Lord can refer to the period of the rapture through the tribulation and up to the judgment of the righteous and the unrighteous. More likely here, the church thought they had missed the rapture and were living in the time of the tribulation. It is understandable that under intense persecution they might believe that the evils of the tribulation were upon them. He asked them not to be too quickly swayed by any teaching that suggests that the day of the Lord has already arrived. This misdirection had come from multiple sources including prophecy, teaching, and a letter that was allegedly from Paul making it all the more believable. Paul then clarifies the conditions that must come before Jesus will return. God has revealed that certain events will precede Christ’s final return. First, there will be a rebellion or apostasy and then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, he is also described as the son of destruction. This is the Antichrist who will elevate himself above every so-called god or object of worship. He will convince all the religions of the world that He is more worthy of worship than the objects of their faith. He will take a seat in the temple in Jerusalem and proclaim to be God. Paul pointed out that this was not new information. He had taught them these things when he was with them but clearly, they needed a reminder. Right now this rebellion and the revealing of the Antichrist is being restrained by the Holy Spirit who is at work in the world and indwells every believer. At the appointed time, when God will allow this rebellion to take place, the church will be raptured (all believers will be taken up to heaven) and the Holy Spirit will move out of the way. At the time of the Tribulation, the Holy Spirit will no longer restrain evil as He now does and evil will be allowed to flourish more freely. When the Antichrist is released, his reign will be terrible. He will be able to control mankind, but he will not be able to stand against Jesus. When Jesus returns, He will return with power so great that the Antichrist will be killed by the breath of His mouth.

When we see the evil that is around us, it is sobering to understand that it is being constrained by the Holy Spirit. How terrible will the tribulation period be when the Holy Spirit leaves man to his own devices. We can be incredibly grateful that we will be taken to be with Jesus before that happens. Knowing that there are some who will have to live through it should compel us to share the gospel with them. Who can you reach today?

Paul encouraged the Thessalonians by pointing out that their suffering demonstrated their worthiness of the kingdom of God. We do not earn our way into heaven through suffering, entrance to heaven is given by grace as a free gift that is received through faith in Jesus Christ. But trials reveal the God-given character we have as we endure. Their (and our) suffering will always be balanced on the scales of divine justice because God will repay those who inflict suffering on His saints. When Jesus returns with His angels, justice will be meted out on those whose sins have not been dealt with by the cross. There will be two classes of unbelievers who are punished in eternity, those who did not know God and those who refused to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. The first group is those who were ignorant of God (who are still without excuse, Rom 1:18-32) and those who have refused to believe. The guilt of the latter group is greater because of their willful rejection of God’s offer of salvation. In the end, God’s judgment will be perfectly just. Both groups will be punished with eternal or everlasting destruction away from God’s presence. The punishment of the wicked will not be temporary, nor will it be complete annihilation. It is eternal, conscious punishment as opposed to eternal life (Matt 25:46). While being in the presence of God is what makes heaven heaven, being eternally banished from God’s presence is the essence of hell. When Christ returns, His glory will be revealed in all believers who will receive glorified bodies and a sinless nature. All believers will marvel as they see what their Lord has done in them. This group includes the Thessalonians because they believed Paul’s testimony. This group will include you if you have believed the gospel message. What an encouragement, especially under persecution, that one day all will be made right and we will experience Jesus face to face and the fulfillment of His promise as we receive our glorified bodies.
This led Paul to pray for the Thessalonians that they would live their lives in a manner consistent with their calling and destiny. There is work to be done in order to be considered worthy. But that work is done with resolve given by God and through His power supplied in us. The gift of eternal life is given as unmerited favour, we cannot earn it (Eph 2:8-9). But our reward in heaven will be given as merited favour, we will be rewarded because of how we have lived and for the good works we have done in Him (Eph 2:10). Because even our good works are only possible because of Jesus at work in us, everything is done to the glory of Jesus Christ.

Are you living consistent with your calling and destiny? Consider the length of your life and the length of eternity. Are you putting appropriate emphasis on things with lasting significance?

Paul likely wrote this letter shortly (within a year) after his first letter to the church at Thessalonica which would date it around A.D. 50-51. It is believed that Paul wrote this letter from Corinth because that is the last time the Bible notes that Paul, Silas, and Timothy were together (Acts 18:5) though it is possible they were together again after that. Paul took the opportunity to praise God for the church’s ongoing faithfulness and increased love for one another, but his main purpose was to correct a doctrinal error that had begun to creep into the church. A misunderstanding about the day of the Lord seems to have led some believers to quit working in expectation of Jesus’ return.

Paul begins his letter in a typical Greek style beginning with the author and his companions, stating the intended recipients, and including a salutation. Paul was the author. He included Silvanus and Timothy but referred to himself in the singular through most of the letter. The recipients were the believers in the church at Thessalonica who are stated to be in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. A church is the assembly of those who are in Jesus Christ by faith and therefore children of God. Paul wished that they experience grace and peace. Grace is God’s unmerited favour which is given to those who accept Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross by faith. Peace is something we can experience even in the face of persecution because through Jesus, we have been reconciled with God. We also have the peace of God when we abide in Christ and experience His work in our lives.

Paul felt compelled to give thanks continually for the believers in Thessalonica because their faith was growing and their love for one another continued to increase. Faith for salvation is a once-off event but as we live the Christian life and trust God to work in our lives, our faith should increase as we experience His goodness and steadfast love. The outflow of deepening love for God should result in a growing love for those around us. Because of their testimony, Paul and his missionary team used the church as an example to other believers and boasted of their steadfastness and faith in the face of the persecution and the difficulties they were facing.

The Thessalonians clearly had their focus on God and not on their situation. Because of this perspective, they were growing in faith and able to remain steadfast in the face of difficulty. Where is your focus? Take a moment to reflect on how God has shown His faithfulness in your life. How does that change your perspective of your current situation?

God had just shown Nineveh mercy by relenting from the disaster He had said he would bring on them. But Jonah was displeased by this. While God’s anger dissipated, Jonah became hot with anger. Jonah then prays and reveals the reason he fled to Tarshish. He knew God’s character, that He is merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (Ex 34:6; Joel 2:13; Neh 9:17; Ps 103:8). God is favourable towards us, does not delight in punishing the wicked, and has a loyal and faithful love. Jonah knew that if the Ninevites repented that God would show them mercy and he did not want that. Jonah would have known that Amos and Hosea prophesied that Assyria would destroy Israel and he did not want to see his enemy receive mercy. Jonah was so upset by God’s act of mercy toward his enemy that he asked God that he might die. In the fish, he had asked to live (Jon 2:2) but now he felt he had no reason to live. God was concerned for Nineveh, Jonah was not. Jonah wanted God to act swiftly against the disobedience in Nineveh but if he was consistent, he should expect that God should swiftly deal with his own disobedience. But God, ever merciful, engages Jonah and asks him if he has a right to be angry.

Without answering God, Jonah left the city and built himself a quick shelter, and sat down to see what would happen to the city. What did he expect would happen? Did he think that God would again change His mind because of his outburst? Jonah was so convinced that Nineveh deserved to be punished that he childishly sat and waited until they were judged. God made a plant to grow up quickly and provide shade and comfort for Jonah. This delighted Jonah. The next day, God sent a worm that attacked the plant and it withered and died. The plant may have been a castor-bean plant that grows quickly in hot climates reaching 12 feet and has large leaves. It also easily withers if its stalk is damaged. The growth of the plant within a day is still a miraculous and compassionate provision from God. As the sun rose, God sent a scorching east wind and the sun beat down on Jonah so that he became faint. Again Jonah sulked and asked to die because of his discomfort. God asked Jonah if he was right to be upset about the plant. Jonah answered that he was right to be angry, even angry enough to die. God pointed out that Jonah was concerned over a plant that he didn’t plant, work on, or cause to grow. It was fleeting, growing overnight and withering away overnight. In contrast, should God not be concerned over the people of Nineveh, more than 120,000 people who were morally and ethically naïve? Jonah was selfish and concerned only for his personal comfort. God is unselfish and concerned about the many people worldwide who need His grace.

God has shown us all incredible mercy and grace. Why are we so slow to extend grace and mercy towards others? God commissioned us to reach others with the gospel and yet most of us remain too focussed on our own comfort without enough concern for the eternal destiny of others. Who do you need to reach out to today?

God commanded Jonah a second time to go to Nineveh and deliver His message to them. This time Jonah obeyed the Lord and went to the city. Nineveh is described as three days’ journey in breadth. This area probably includes the surrounding fields and small towns. Jonah went into the city and preached on the first day (the likely explanation for “going a day’s journey”). He proclaimed the Lord’s message that in forty days the city would be destroyed. Forty days provided them with an opportunity of grace to repent before the judgment was meted out. And the Ninevites believed God and everyone from the greatest to the least responded in repentance by fasting and wearing sackcloth. They heard God’s message, believed it, and responded appropriately. When the message reached the king of Nineveh, he got off his throne and replaced his robes with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Their response is interesting because it was not typical of their religious practices. Typically they would try to appease a god through rituals but they appear to have tried to respond to the Israelite God in an appropriate manner. The king issued a decree for the entire city to respond appropriately to this message from God. He ordered that all people and animals fast and wear sackcloth and that they turn from their evil and violence. This was done in the hope that God would turn from His anger and they might escape death. Jonah’s prophecy was not stated to include any conditions but God saw their response and did relent from destroying the city. The actions of the people delayed God’s destruction of the city for another 150 years. They evidently fell back into sin and the city was destroyed in 612 B.C.

Jonah initially disobeyed God. The Ninevites believed God and immediately responded in repentance. God spared Jonah and God spared the Ninevites. God’s mercy is undeserved. God’s grace is never earned. But, when we respond appropriately to His prompting, we are more likely to receive His favour. Do you need to change your response to what God is working to teach you today?