30 April 2015

EJ&T - 2 Thessalonians: Jesus isn't coming any time soon, so work quietly, eat your own bread, or starve to death

In the Every Jot and Tittle project, I am listing all of the Bible's commandments from Genesis to Revelation, in accordance with Jesus's words in Matthew 5:18-19. I have no idea how many commandments I'll find, but Jewish tradition claims there are 613. See here for a list of those that I've found so far.
Although this epistle (1:1, 3:17) claims to have been written by Paul, many scholars think it was a later forgery. If Paul did write it, he completely changed his mind (since writing 1 Thessalonians) about the timing of Christ's return. The day of the Lord is no longer at hand. In fact, it's nowhere near. Many things must happen first: there will be a great "falling away," a "man of sin" will be reveled, and Satan will show off his power by doing all kinds of signs and wonders. (2:2-9)

  1. Don't be deceived by people who say the end of the world will come before there's a falling away and the man of sin is revealed.

    2. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 2 Thessalonians 2:3

  2. Keep believing whatever the author of this epistle says.

    3. Stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 2 Thessalonians 2:15

  3. Stay away from people who walk disorderly.

    4. We command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly. 2 Thessalonians 3:6

  4. Stay from people who do not accept the tradition taught by the author of this epistle.

    5. We command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh ... not after the tradition which he received of us. 2 Thessalonians 3:6

  5. Follow the author of Second Thessalonians.

    6. (Because he didn't behave disorderly around you.)
    Ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you. 2 Thessalonians 3:7

  6. Let people who will not work starve to death.

    7. If any would not work, neither should he eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10

  7. Work quietly and eat your own bread.

    8. Them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 2 Thessalonians 3:12

  8. Shun those who disobey the commandments in Second Thessalonians.

    9. (But don't treat them as enemies; admonish them instead.)
    If any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15

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