BBB Bible Series: II Thessalonians Quiz

Answer: Timothy

Timothy and Silas were with Paul and helped him write the letter to the Thessalonians. All three sent greetings to the church in the first verse of the epistle.

"Paul, Silas, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (II Thessalonians 1:1, NIV)

Although Silas had been a partner with Paul in both preaching and persecution, Timothy was a young man that Paul considered like his son.

Answer: He boasted about their faith and perseverance in all the persecutions and trials they were enduring.

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, "We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring" (II Thessalonians 1:2-4, NIV)

Answer: when the Lord Jesus Christ revealed himself in blazing fire with all of His angels

Because of their suffering, Paul told the Thessalonians they would be counted worthy to be a part of God's kingdom. He gave them hope by promising that God would repay back trouble to those who troubled them.

"God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you." (II Thessalonians 6-10, NIV)

Answer: the second coming of Jesus Christ had already occurred

Paul assured the Thessalonians the day of the Lord would not come until the anti-Christ, or "man of lawlessness", had set up his world rebellion. He reminded the Thessalonians he had told them of these things while he had been with them. People had falsely told the church things that Paul and his partners had not said.

"Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us-whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter-asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God." (II Thessalonians 2:1-12, NIV)

Answer: so they would share it with others

Paul told the Thessalonians, "God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, NIV) Paul wanted them to realize God saved them so that they could reveal the gospel to others around them.

Answer: the teachings that had been passed on to them

"So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." (II Thessalonians 2:15, NIV)

Many churches that Paul or other apostles had instructed had been plagued with false teachers while the apostles were persecuted, imprisoned, or starting other works. The Thessalonians had already experienced some of this at the time of this letter. Paul wanted to be sure they were not influenced by teachings that were contrary to what he had given them.

Answer: for God to allow them to share the gospel with other countries

"As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith." (II Thessalonians 3:1-2, NIV)

Paul wanted other countries to hear the gospel and be won to Christ as the Thessalonian church had. Many of Paul's other missionary journeys had resulted in severe persecutions, imprisonments, beatings, and rejection.

Answer: They had worked jobs and paid for everything that they had been given.

Paul urged the Thessalonians not to be idle or associate with anyone who did not follow the teachings they had been given. Paul reminded the Thessalonians, he and his fellow ministers had taken nothing from the church while they were ministering to them. They had worked and paid for their own food, so that the Thessalonians would learn by their examples.

"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat." (II Thessalonians 3:6-10, NIV)

In later verses, Paul also shared his feelings that idleness led to busybodies and gossip, which was destructive.

Answer: They were commanded not to associate with them.

Paul instructed them not to associate with anyone who did not obey the instructions or letters he had given. He explained that this was necessary so that the person would realize their wrong doing and be ashamed.

"Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer." (II Thessalonians 3:14, NIV)

Answer: peace at all times

Paul wrote every letter's ending in his own hand as his signature. His last words to the Thessalonians were, "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you."(II Thessalonians 3:16, NIV)

In persecution or trails, they were encouraged that God would give them peace and would be there for them in every way.