DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS

2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5    (10/26)     Epistle for Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week after Pentecost

 

Consider the Gospel: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5, especially vss.13, 14: “...God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  A fruitful way to approach today’s Epistle selection is to focus on the word gospel (vs. 14).  In the original, euangelion or gospel in its common form, translates literally as good news, or glad tidings.  Thus, in a general way, we can classify gospel as a message.  However, the gospel as message must not to be taken out of context nor abstracted from the way Saint Paul uses it here.  He qualifies the message in two ways: first, he refers to it as our gospel (vs. 14); and, second, if you trace his logic through the verses, he reaches the conclusion that we must obey, carry out, or do the gospel as he and the other Apostles delivered it: “...we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you” (vs. 4).

The next consideration is to grasp what sort of command is being issued by Saint Paul in relation to the gospel.  The Saint adds the modifying pronoun our to the word gospel, which gives it a double reference: he speaks as one of the Apostles sent by Christ Jesus to deliver the Lord’s message, and he speak to us as the Lord’s disciples.  Note this point carefully: the message is not, therefore, Paul’s property, nor even that of all the Apostles.  They do not speak for themselves but for Christ our God (Mt. 28:19-20).  After all, apostle means a messenger.  Thus, accurately, gospel, as used throughout the New Testament, is a proclamation of an urgent, authoritative message ordered by Christ our Lord and God the Father (1 Thess. 2:16).  It is only delivered by appointed Apostles.  Gospel is an official proclamation from God on High.

Then consider God’s aim in issuing His proclamation.  There are two phrases that capture His purpose: In verse 13, “...God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth...”, and in verse 14, “...for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  God’s aim is to save the faithful, which is defined as sharing in or obtaining the glory that is manifest in Christ our God.  This divine aim is carried out by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit cooperatively - as we trust in what God proclaims.  Our cooperation with the Spirit is essential as Saint Paul emphasizes in verse 15, we have to “...stand fast and hold the traditions which [we] were taught, whether by word or [his] epistle.”  He even offers a prayer in verses 16 and 17 to encourage us.  A good prayer to use!

The concluding five verses speak to the immediate situation that Saint Paul and his fellow Apostles were facing, and relate their problems to the evils that the Thessalonian Christians were facing, which is why he urges them to have confidence and stand fast in the Faith.

The proclamation of God that the Apostle outlines here has immense significance if we brush off the cobwebs of the secular spirit of our age: we are loved by God - beloved by the Lord (vs. 13 and vs. 16), as we know, like a bride by her bridegroom - God from the beginning chose us for salvation (vs. 13).  An eternal significance is added to our lives because of being selected by God for salvation (vs. 13) - life beyond the grave is implied.  The assurance of this lies in our confession at Baptism and our anointment with the gift of the Holy Spirit.   You and I can obtain the glory that Christ demonstrated by His radiant appearances at His Resurrection (vs. 14).

The point the Apostle would have us grasp is this: stand fast, and hold the traditions (vs. 15).  Pray with the Apostle, and God will “...comfort [our] hearts and establish [us] in every good word and work” (vs 17).  May God make His love known to us and give us patience (vs. 5).

O Merciful God, grant us Thy grace, life, peace, health, salvation, and visitation always.

Return to the November Calendar