For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. Truth to Learn The restraining one is probably a reference to the Holy Spirit. Behind the Words The word “mystery” is transliterated from the Greek...
2 Thessalonians 2:6 – Holy Spirit Power
And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. Truth to Learn Only God can completely control Satan. Behind the Words The words “you know” are from the Greek verb eidō, which means “to see with perception,” or “to know.” It is expressed...
2 Thessalonians 2:5 – Learn God’s Truth
Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? Truth to Learn Your faith depends on a good understanding of God’s truth. Behind the Words “Remember” is translated from the Greek verb mnēmoneuō, meaning “to exercise memory” or “to remember.” The English word...
2 Thessalonians 2:4 – The Man of Sin
who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Truth to Learn The “man of sin” will be revealed before the Day of the Lord. Behind the...
2 Thessalonians 2:3 – Two Preceding Events
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, Truth to Learn The Tribulation won’t begin until a couple of other things happen first. Behind the Words “Deceive” is...
2 Thessalonians 2:2 – No, Not Yet
not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Truth to Learn All Christians need to read and study the Bible for themselves. Behind the Words In the previous...
2 Thessalonians 2:1 – Look Up
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, Truth to Learn In the midst of your suffering, look up! He is coming soon! Behind the Words The word translated “now” is de. This particle serves to introduce a new...
2 Thessalonians 1:12 – His Glory!
that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Truth to Learn Jesus Christ will one day receive all the glory and all the praise that is due to Him...
2 Thessalonians 1:11 – Don’t Complain, Give Thanks!
Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, Truth to Learn Trials are good for Christians. Don’t complain – thank God. Behind the Words “Therefore”...
2 Thessalonians 1:10 – Return In Glory
when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Truth to Learn Christ is coming in glory to judge and to rule. Behind the Words “To be glorified” is translated from...
2 Thessalonians 1:9 – Eternal Torment
These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, Truth to Learn Those who reject Jesus Christ will suffer terribly, for eternity! Behind the Words The word “punished” is translated from the words dikēn tisousin. The word dikēn refers...
2 Thessalonians 1:8 – Righteous Blazing Fire
in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Truth to Learn God will judge unbelievers, so we don’t need to. Behind the Words “Flaming” is translated from the Greek word phlox, which...
2 Thessalonians 1:7 – Eternal Rest
and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, Truth to Learn Christians may be suffering now, but we will have eternal rest. Behind the Words The word “give” is not in the Greek text, but has...
2 Thessalonians 1:6 – Righteous Judgment
since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, Truth to Learn God will “pay back” those who cause Christians to suffer. Behind the Words The word “since” is translated from eiper. This Greek word is made up of ei, which is a...
2 Thessalonians 1:5 – A Kingdom Viewpoint
which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; Truth to Learn Christians know God’s merciful judgment and can keep God’s kingdom in view when we suffer persecution and tribulation. Behind the Words...
2 Thessalonians 1:4 – Faithful Endurance
so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, Truth to Learn Our growth comes from enduring difficult circumstances. Behind the Words Kauchomai is the Greek verb translated “boast.” This word may be...
2 Thessalonians 1:3 – Growing Difficulties
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, Truth to Learn Difficult times help our faith to grow. Behind the Words The words “we are bound”...
2 Thessalonians 1:2 – Grace and Peace
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Truth to Learn People who know God’s grace can experience peace with Him. Behind the Words “Grace” is translated from the Greek noun charis, which is from the verb chairō, meaning “to rejoice.” Charis means “that...
2 Thessalonians 1:1 – Jesus’ Church
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Truth to Learn All Christians are members of the church of Jesus Christ. Behind the Words “Church” is translated from the Greek word ekklēsia, which is made up of ek, meaning...
1 Thessalonians 5:28 – Our Lord and Master
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Truth to Learn Jesus Christ is our gracious Lord and Master. He owns us. Behind the Words “Grace” is translated from the Greek noun charis, which is from the verb chairō, meaning “to rejoice.” Therefore, we see that charis...
1 Thessalonians 5:27 – Read God’s Letters
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. Truth to Learn Reading God’s Word is essential for all Christians. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “charge” is horkidzō, which is based on horkos, meaning “a solemn oath.” The verb horkidzō means...
1 Thessalonians 5:26 – A Holy Kiss?
Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. Truth to Learn The early church employed a kiss as a customary greeting. Behind the Words “Greet” is from aspadzomai, meaning “to enfold in the arms” or as we would say, “to hug.” But, it can also mean “to salute,” “to welcome,”...
1 Thessalonians 5:25 – Humble Prayer Request
Brethren, pray for us. Truth to Learn We all need prayer so that we can bring glory to God. Behind the Words The word “brethren” is translated from adelphos, which is made up of a connective particle, a and a form of the noun delphus, meaning “the womb.” Thus, adelphos...
1 Thessalonians 5:24 – The Promise Keeper
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. Truth to Learn God will keep His promise regarding your salvation. Behind the Words “He who calls” is translated from ho kalōn. The word ho is the third person singular personal pronoun (he) and kalōn is the present participle...
1 Thessalonians 5:23 – Sanctification and Preservation
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Truth to Learn God is the one who makes us holy and keeps us to the end. Behind the Words “Completely”...
1 Thessalonians 5:22 – Avoid All Evil
Abstain from every form of evil. Truth to Learn Live life in God’s presence and in obedience to Him. Behind the Words “Abstain” is translated from the Greek verb apechomai, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and a form of echō, meaning “to have” or...
1 Thessalonians 5:21 – Find Good and Hold On
Test all things; hold fast what is good. Truth to Learn We are to look for good and hold on to it when we find it. Behind the Words Dokimadzō is the Greek verb translated “test” in today’s verse. This Greek word means “to test something to determine its worth.”...
1 Thessalonians 5:20 – Foretelling or Forth-telling
Do not despise prophecies. Truth to Learn Christians should only believe a preacher or teacher if their message is completely supported by what the Bible says. Behind the Words The word “despise” is translated from the Greek verb exoutheneō. It is made up of ek, used as an intensifier and...
1 Thessalonians 5:19 – Let The Spirit Breath
Do not quench the Spirit. Truth to Learn It is wrong for Christians to suppress the working of the Spirit. Behind the Words The word “quench” is translated from sbennumi, which means “to extinguish” or “to quench.” When used metaphorically, it means “to suppress” or “to hinder.” The verb is...
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Thankful For Everything
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Truth to Learn Christians are to be thankful for everything! Behind the Words The word translated “everything” is pas, meaning “all.” It includes the idea of plurality, meaning “all the parts” or “every.” In...
1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray Unceasingly
pray without ceasing, Truth to Learn Our prayer life is to be a continual part of our walk with God. Behind the Words “Pray” is translated from the Greek verb proseuchomai. This word is made up of pros, meaning “to or toward” and euchomai, which literally means “to speak out”...