A Torah Verse By Verse Commentary Of Paul's Epistles by Re'tzon Ha'El - HTML preview

Chapter 1

V1-2 Paul gives the exact same salutation as that of 1 Thessalonians v1, a commentary of which is given in 1st Thessalonians, for you to refer to, dear reader.

V3 Since the first epistle, the faith and love of the Thessalonian ecclesia had neither waxed nor waned, but grown from strength to strength, much to Paul’s delight, in which he expressed thanksgiving to Elohim. It is the Holy Spirit dwelling within true saints, who increases this love and faith. Our sole duty is to be receptive of these gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit by presenting a submissive, non-resistant, humble, broken heart and contrite spirit. It is impossible for the Holy Spirit to operate in a heart filled with pride and rebellion, no matter how knowledgeable one may be of scripture cf Ps 34:18; 51:17; Isa 57:15; 66:2.

V4 The congregation even at the penning of this epistle, were still being persecuted, and had continued to hold their ground, increasing in faith and patience, qualities of which every growing Christian is to experience and exhibit, if they are to be victorious over Satan’s kingdom cf 2 Pet 1:5-10; Jm 1:2-4. Two definitions need to be made here:

a. Persecution- hostility and ill-treatment especially because of race, political or religious beliefs.

b. tribulation - a state of great trouble or suffering.

V5 As difficult as it is to conceptualize this reality, persecution and tribulation in Yehovah’s name at the hands of Satan’s hosts during our earthly pilgrimage, are a sure sign of righteous judgement in the afterlife. Many people claim to be Christians, but the wheat is separated from the chaff, or the gold from the dross, when the fiery tests of tribulation are thrust upon mankind. Very few faithfully endure to the end cf Acts 14:22; 2 Tim 2:12; 1 Pet 4:14,16.

V6 It goes without saying that Elohim’s judgement of the persecutors of the righteous shall be equally righteous Rom 12:19; Col 3:25; Ps 94:20-23; Isa 49:26.

V7 Paul had given the Thessalonians a glimpse of future events in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. He gives them further information in this verse and those succeeding. ‘Apokalupsis’ translated ‘shall be revealed’ also means ‘shall be laid bare or instructed’. This is to further clarify that Yeshua shall be instructed by Elohim, when to return and destroy the wicked, as only the Father knows the exact day and hour cf Matt 24:36.

We are also informed that Yeshua shall return with His dunamis/powerful angels. This is found elsewhere in scripture cf Matt 16;27; 25:31; Mk 8:38; 

V8 cf Ps 79:6; Rom 2:7-8. It is important to note the two classes of people who shall be avenged and feel the wrath of Elohim:

a. The heathen who refuse to know Elohim, despite the gospel having been preached to all corners of the earth;

b. More worryingly rebellious self-professed Christians, who wilfully break the commandments of Yeshua, which He gave on Mount Sinai, and preached during His ministry on earth.

V9 It is repeated throughout scripture that the punishment of the wicked shall be aionios/everlasting, without end. Additionally, the Greek word ‘olethros’ translated ‘destruction’, specifically refers to destruction of a prolonged form, rather than a momentary one. Explicit terminology is utilized by Paul, despite many a false preacher’s efforts to teach to the contrary, claiming that for Yeshua to condemn the wicked to eternal hellfire would be merciless and cruel. This doctrine of no eternal punishment, and worse still, of no hell nor suffering of the wicked in the afterlife, has watered down the gospel tremendously, and given deniers of Yeshua more reason to reject Him, under the delusion that this life is the be all and end all cf Matt 25:41;46; Rev 14:10-11

V10 cf Jn 17:9-10. Yeshua is glorified in His saints by the indwelling of His Holy Spirit within their hearts. This verse has caused much confusion amongst commentators, yet the statement is blissfully plain when compared with other scriptural texts. Hence at Yeshua’s second advent, all saints past and present are referred to here, in whom Yeshua shall be glorified. The dead shall be resurrected first, and then be caught up together with those living saints, to meet Messiah in the air cf 1 Thes 4:16-17.

V11-12 Only those in whom the Holy Spirit of Yeshua dwells, that is to say in whom Yeshua is glorified, living a holy life as detailed in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 (please refer to the commentary), shall be found worthy to be caught up and be with Him forever more at His glorious return. Faith must be followed by power from on high which is the will of Elohim. By displaying power in the work of our faith, Yeshua’s name is glorified in us, and our name in Him, which presents a perfect symbiotic relationship.

Nobody deserves to be redeemed of their sins. It is by the grace of the Father that we are offered a chance to be reconciled to Him through the propitiatory blood sacrificed by His Son, Yeshua of Nazareth. It all begins with a klesis/an invitation, calling to all. Those who respond and call upon the name of Yeshua are justified by or through faith. From this group the next step is to fulfil the eudokia/desire, will, good pleasure of His agathosune/kindness, goodness. This can only be achieved by following His Torah, which is the work of faith with power. The power of the Holy Spirit working through the faithful, not the righteousness of man, is the only means of following Torah in spirit and in truth. This was Paul’s prayer for all saints. He never ever preached for saints to reject Torah cf Col 1:9-13; Phil 2:13; Tit 3:4-8; Rom 8:30