Questions
Stand Firm and Hold Fast
Chapter 2
13a But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you, brothers dearly loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you…
Again [see 1 Timothy 1:1-4], we see Paul referring to Christians, that included gentiles, as chosen by God!
1. What was the attitude of the Jews that rejected Jesus [including the younger Paul] to these people? How were they treated? How did judgment come on them?
13b…as first fruits for salvation by the sanctification of the Spirit and faith in the truth,
First fruits in the Torah refer to the produce that YHWH would give his people in the promised land. The first fruits were to be offered to YHWH [Leviticus 23:10–14, 17; Deuteronomy 26:1–11]. In Jeremiah, Israel was “holy to YHWH, the first fruit of his produce” [Jeremiah 2:3]. James also calls Christians the first fruits.
2. Can you unpack a little the imagery Paul and James, both Jews, are using?
14 for which purpose he [also] called you through our gospel for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We see, again, theotic-type language.
3. What is our “final state” as Christians [see v13b]?
15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions [παραδόσεις] which you were taught, whether by spoken word or by letter from us.
The παραδόσεις of the Pharisees etc. are viewed negatively by Jesus [Matthew 15:2,3,6; Mark 7:3,5,13] and Paul [Galatians 1:14; Colossians 2:8] but the παραδόσεις received from Paul and the team are requirements for the Thessalonian Christians.
These παραδόσεις may have become known as the διδαχή [Titus 1:9; 2 John 9]. There is an early Jewish Christian document called the Διδαχή which seems to be an attempt to write down these traditions in the late first or early second centuries. This is much like the Mishnah and Talmud of the Jews who continued to reject Jesus.
Tradition is authoritative in the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches.
4. How do Protestants respond?
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement [παράκλησιν] and good hope by grace, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.
5. How does God give us hope and encourage us and strengthen us? Hint: παράκλησις. Παράκλητος [John 14:16, 26; 16:26; 16:7]. John does call Jesus the παράκλητος [1 John 2:1].
Chapter 3
Paul’s Prayer Request
1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may progress and be honored, just as also it was with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from evil and wicked people, for not all have the faith.
6. In Paul’s experience, thus far, who are the “evil and wicked people” who do not have faith? How does link to Paul’s sense of an imminent παρουσία of Jesus/YHWH?
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are both doing and you will do the things that we are commanding. 5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts toward the love of God and toward the patient endurance of Christ.
7. Share your confidence in God’s faithfulness.