The believers in Thessalonica had faced persecution since their conversion, but now it was more severe. A false teaching declared that the day of the Lord had already come, and some believers even quit working. What do you say to people whose lives move from bad to worse? Paul’s second letter to this new church addresses their troubling problems. Setting From the time of their conversion, the T…
1Pero con respecto a la venida de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, y nuestra reunión con él, os rogamos, hermanos,
2que no os dejéis mover fácilmente de vuestro modo de pensar, ni os conturbéis, ni por espíritu, ni por palabra, ni por carta como si fuera nuestra, en el sentido de que el día del Señor está cerca.
3Nadie os engañe en ninguna manera; porque no vendrá sin que antes venga la apostasía, y se manifieste el hombre de pecado, el hijo de perdición,
4el cual se opone y se levanta contra todo lo que se llama Dios o es objeto de culto; tanto que se sienta en el templo de Dios como Dios, haciéndose pasar por Dios.
5¿No os acordáis que cuando yo estaba todavía con vosotros, os decía esto?
6Y ahora vosotros sabéis lo que lo detiene, a fin de que a su debido tiempo se manifieste.
7Porque ya está en acción el misterio de la iniquidad; solo que hay quien al presente lo detiene, hasta que él a su vez sea quitado de en medio.
8Y entonces se manifestará aquel inicuo, a quien el Señor matará con el espíritu de su boca, y destruirá con el resplandor de su venida;
9inicuo cuyo advenimiento es por obra de Satanás, con gran poder y señales y prodigios mentirosos,
10y con todo engaño de iniquidad para los que se pierden, por cuanto no recibieron el amor de la verdad para ser salvos.
11Por esto Dios les envía un poder engañoso, para que crean la mentira,
12a fin de que sean condenados todos los que no creyeron a la verdad, sino que se complacieron en la injusticia.
13Pero nosotros debemos dar siempre gracias a Dios respecto a vosotros, hermanos amados por el Señor, de que Dios os haya escogido desde el principio para salvación, mediante la santificación por el Espíritu y la fe en la verdad,
14a lo cual os llamó mediante nuestro evangelio, para alcanzar la gloria de nuestro Señor Jesucristo.
15Así que, hermanos, estad firmes, y retened la doctrina que habéis aprendido, sea por palabra, o por carta nuestra.
16Y el mismo Jesucristo Señor nuestro, y Dios nuestro Padre, el cual nos amó y nos dio consolación eterna y buena esperanza por gracia,
17conforte vuestros corazones, y os confirme en toda buena palabra y obra.
TYNDALE OPEN STUDY NOTES
I
Versículo 1
I. 2:1-12 False teaching about the day of the Lord had disturbed the Thessalonian church (2:1-2). Pa…
2:1-12 False teaching about the day of the Lord had disturbed the Thessalonian church (2:1-2). Paul reminds them (2:5) that two events will precede that day: a great apostasy and the unveiling of the man of lawlessness (2:3-12). Christ will destroy this man when he returns (2:3, 8), and those who have been deceived will also be judged (2:9-12).
2:1 At the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1:7-10; 1 Thes 2:19; 3:13; 4:15–5:2; 5:23), all of his people will be gathered to meet him. This will occur at the resurrection and rapture of the church (1 Thes 4:13-18).
II
Versículo 2
II. 2:2 The Thessalonian Christians previously asked Paul when the day of the Lord would come (1 Thes…
2:2 The Thessalonian Christians previously asked Paul when the day of the Lord would come (1 Thes 5:1-11). Now a false teaching that this day had already begun (cp. 2 Tim 2:18) was causing them to waver in faith and become frightened. • a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter: The source of the teaching might have been a false prophecy (cp. 1 Jn 4:1-2), an erroneous sermon, or a letter falsely attributed to Paul.
III
Versículo 3
III. 2:3 Two events will precede that day of the Lord (2:2). • Both Jewish and Christian theology pred…
2:3 Two events will precede that day of the Lord (2:2). • Both Jewish and Christian theology predicted a great rebellion against God before the end (Matt 24:11-14; 1 Tim 4:1). • The man of lawlessness is without or against law; his character is defined by sin. • the one who brings destruction (or the one destined for destruction): The emphasis is on the lawless man’s own destruction (2 Thes 2:8) rather than on the destruction he brings.
IV
Versículo 4
IV. 2:4 exalt himself: Like other Roman cities, Thessalonica constructed temples for the worship of t…
2:4 exalt himself: Like other Roman cities, Thessalonica constructed temples for the worship of the emperor. This cult was the prototype of the worship described here. • He will even sit in the temple of God: The profaning of the Temple in Jerusalem by Antiochus Epiphanes in 167 BC (see Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11) may have prefigured the event predicted here (Matt 24:15; Mark 13:14). Or it may refer to the attempt of the emperor Caligula, called “the new god manifest,” to erect his own image in the Temple in AD 40. Alternatively, the temple may be an imperial temple (of God could be of the god) erected in honor of the lawless man and not necessarily a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. • claiming that he himself is God (Ezek 28:2-10): The ascription of divine titles to the emperor was common in the first century.
V
Versículo 6
V. 2:6 what is holding him back: This has been variously identified as God, the Holy Spirit, the chu…
2:6 what is holding him back: This has been variously identified as God, the Holy Spirit, the church, the gospel, Paul, the emperor, the Roman Empire, or the government. Alternatively, the term may refer to something or someone who comes before the man of lawlessness, an agent of the lawlessness active at that time (2:7-8); in Greek literature, this expression could describe demonic possession. This figure would prepare the way for the man of lawlessness when his time comes (2:3, 8).
VI
Versículo 7
VI. 2:7 The power of the coming man of lawlessness (2:3-6) is already at work secretly, like the anti…
2:7 The power of the coming man of lawlessness (2:3-6) is already at work secretly, like the antichrists of 1 Jn 2:18. • secretly (Greek mustērion): A descriptor commonly used of rituals in the mystery religions (see 2 Thes 2:6). • at work: This connotes supernatural intervention, whether divine (1 Thes 2:13) or, as here, evil (2 Thes 2:9; Eph 2:2). • The one who is holding it back could refer to one who is in opposition to the man of lawlessness; to one who is possessed; or to Satan, the one who possesses (2 Thes 2:9; see study note on 2:6).
VII
Versículo 8
VII. 2:8 Paul announces the doom of the man of lawlessness (cp. 2:3). Although this figure claims to b…
2:8 Paul announces the doom of the man of lawlessness (cp. 2:3). Although this figure claims to be divine, places his cult above all other worship (2:4), and receives power from Satan (2:9), the Lord Jesus will violently and utterly destroy him (Isa 11:4). • splendor: A reference to Christ’s epiphany (1 Tim 6:14; 2 Tim 1:10; 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13), an alternative description of Christ’s coming (2 Thes 2:1; 1 Thes 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23) or unveiling (2 Thes 1:7). In ancient literature, an epiphany was the appearance of a deity or a demonstration of divine power that evoked worship.
VIII
Versículo 9
VIII. 2:9 As Christ will appear in royal and divine power (his parousia; 2:1, 8; 1 Thes 2:19; 3:13; 4:1…
2:9 As Christ will appear in royal and divine power (his parousia; 2:1, 8; 1 Thes 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23), this figure similarly will come (parousia) with a royal entrance.
IX
Versículo 11
IX. 2:11 As seen elsewhere in Scripture (Exod 9:12; 2 Chr 18:22), God sometimes hands people over to …
2:11 As seen elsewhere in Scripture (Exod 9:12; 2 Chr 18:22), God sometimes hands people over to the power of the sin or deception they have desired in place of the truth (Rom 1:24, 26, 28; 11:8).
X
Versículo 12
X. 2:12 They will be condemned (see 1:6-9) by God’s judicial verdict for not believing the truth (2:…
2:12 They will be condemned (see 1:6-9) by God’s judicial verdict for not believing the truth (2:10), instead believing the lie of the man of lawlessness (2:9-10).
XI
Versículo 14
XI. 2:14 He called you to salvation: God calls his chosen ones to himself (1:11; 1 Thes 2:12; 4:7; 5:…
2:14 He called you to salvation: God calls his chosen ones to himself (1:11; 1 Thes 2:12; 4:7; 5:24) through the preaching of the Good News. • Those who suffer because of their faith will ultimately share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 5:2; 8:17-18; Col 1:27; 1 Thes 2:12).
XII
Versículo 15
XII. 2:15 Ever since the founding of the Thessalonian church, Paul had been concerned for the stabilit…
2:15 Ever since the founding of the Thessalonian church, Paul had been concerned for the stability of their faith (1 Thes 3:2, 5, 8; 4:1-2) and their adherence to his teaching (2 Thes 3:6; 1 Cor 11:2; 15:3; see Jude 1:3).
XIII
Versículo 16
XIII. 2:16 Eternal comfort and . . . hope transcend both death and uncertainty about the immediate future.
2:16 Eternal comfort and . . . hope transcend both death and uncertainty about the immediate future.
XIV
Versículo 17
XIV. 2:17 Paul’s prayer echoes the purpose of Timothy’s visit to the church—to strengthen and encourag…
2:17 Paul’s prayer echoes the purpose of Timothy’s visit to the church—to strengthen and encourage the Thessalonian believers in their faith (1 Thes 3:2). • To comfort you does not merely mean to console, but to exhort or encourage them because of their fears and doubts (2 Thes 2:1-12; 1 Thes 4:18; 5:11).
Nuevo Testamento
2 Thessalonians — Capítulo 2
The believers in Thessalonica had faced persecution since their conversion, but now it was more severe. A false teaching declared that the day of the Lord had already come, and some believers even quit working. What do you say to people whose lives move from bad to worse? Paul’s second letter to this new church addresses their troubling problems. Setting From the time of their conversion, the T…
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1Pero con respecto a la venida de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, y nuestra reunión con él, os rogamos, hermanos,
2que no os dejéis mover fácilmente de vuestro modo de pensar, ni os conturbéis, ni por espíritu, ni por palabra, ni por carta como si fuera nuestra, en el sentido de que el día del Señor está cerca.
3Nadie os engañe en ninguna manera; porque no vendrá sin que antes venga la apostasía, y se manifieste el hombre de pecado, el hijo de perdición,
4el cual se opone y se levanta contra todo lo que se llama Dios o es objeto de culto; tanto que se sienta en el templo de Dios como Dios, haciéndose pasar por Dios.
5¿No os acordáis que cuando yo estaba todavía con vosotros, os decía esto?
6Y ahora vosotros sabéis lo que lo detiene, a fin de que a su debido tiempo se manifieste.
7Porque ya está en acción el misterio de la iniquidad; solo que hay quien al presente lo detiene, hasta que él a su vez sea quitado de en medio.
8Y entonces se manifestará aquel inicuo, a quien el Señor matará con el espíritu de su boca, y destruirá con el resplandor de su venida;
9inicuo cuyo advenimiento es por obra de Satanás, con gran poder y señales y prodigios mentirosos,
10y con todo engaño de iniquidad para los que se pierden, por cuanto no recibieron el amor de la verdad para ser salvos.
11Por esto Dios les envía un poder engañoso, para que crean la mentira,
12a fin de que sean condenados todos los que no creyeron a la verdad, sino que se complacieron en la injusticia.
13Pero nosotros debemos dar siempre gracias a Dios respecto a vosotros, hermanos amados por el Señor, de que Dios os haya escogido desde el principio para salvación, mediante la santificación por el Espíritu y la fe en la verdad,
14a lo cual os llamó mediante nuestro evangelio, para alcanzar la gloria de nuestro Señor Jesucristo.
15Así que, hermanos, estad firmes, y retened la doctrina que habéis aprendido, sea por palabra, o por carta nuestra.
16Y el mismo Jesucristo Señor nuestro, y Dios nuestro Padre, el cual nos amó y nos dio consolación eterna y buena esperanza por gracia,
17conforte vuestros corazones, y os confirme en toda buena palabra y obra.
TYNDALE OPEN STUDY NOTES
Versículo 1
I. 2:1-12 False teaching about the day of the Lord had disturbed the Thessalonian church (2:1-2). Pa…
Versículo 2
II. 2:2 The Thessalonian Christians previously asked Paul when the day of the Lord would come (1 Thes…
Versículo 3
III. 2:3 Two events will precede that day of the Lord (2:2). • Both Jewish and Christian theology pred…
Versículo 4
IV. 2:4 exalt himself: Like other Roman cities, Thessalonica constructed temples for the worship of t…
Versículo 6
V. 2:6 what is holding him back: This has been variously identified as God, the Holy Spirit, the chu…
Versículo 7
VI. 2:7 The power of the coming man of lawlessness (2:3-6) is already at work secretly, like the anti…
Versículo 8
VII. 2:8 Paul announces the doom of the man of lawlessness (cp. 2:3). Although this figure claims to b…
Versículo 9
VIII. 2:9 As Christ will appear in royal and divine power (his parousia; 2:1, 8; 1 Thes 2:19; 3:13; 4:1…
Versículo 11
IX. 2:11 As seen elsewhere in Scripture (Exod 9:12; 2 Chr 18:22), God sometimes hands people over to …
Versículo 12
X. 2:12 They will be condemned (see 1:6-9) by God’s judicial verdict for not believing the truth (2:…
Versículo 14
XI. 2:14 He called you to salvation: God calls his chosen ones to himself (1:11; 1 Thes 2:12; 4:7; 5:…
Versículo 15
XII. 2:15 Ever since the founding of the Thessalonian church, Paul had been concerned for the stabilit…
Versículo 16
XIII. 2:16 Eternal comfort and . . . hope transcend both death and uncertainty about the immediate future.
Versículo 17
XIV. 2:17 Paul’s prayer echoes the purpose of Timothy’s visit to the church—to strengthen and encourag…