2 Thessalonians 2 Commentary

Paul counters false teaching that has confused the Thessalonians, namely that the Day of the Lord had come already and that they had missed Jesus’s return. Paul reminds them of what he taught when he was with them: the ultimate enemy of God—the antichrist—will first declare himself to be God and seat himself in the temple in Jerusalem before Jesus returns to earth and the Day of the Lord occurs.

For now, something holds the antichrist back from rising to power. This superior power that restrains him will eventually be removed from the earth and the antichrist will take over the world. But God will slay him and judge the people who did not believe in Jesus.

The Thessalonians should remember God’s love for them, how He chose them to be saved from sin and death, and to become Christlike through obedience and faith. As believers in Christ, they are His children, and brothers of Paul. But they will share in Jesus’s glory as rulers over earth when He returns only if they stand firm and stick to Paul’s teaching.