Paul wrote and spoke plainly and used the correct words to preach the gospel: II Thessalonians 1:9 has a message that is often times missed due to preconceived ideas associated with false doctrines. Punished is the Greek word dike--pronounced: dee'-kay (G1349) and means to give what is rightly deserved which conforms to verse 8. Those of pagan belief would understand the meaning and the fact Paul used a word familiar to pagan/Gentiles tends to suggest that verse 8 also addressed Gentiles.

Next, the two words everlasting destruction are variously misunderstood. First, everlasting translates aionios--pronounced: ahee-o'-nee-os (G0166) which was examined in Part XVIII. It means perpetually and forever; perpetual, constant, abiding and forever. It suggests finality and permanency of and for some act or condition. [This is one of those cases in which the message determines the meaning of the word. DEC]

Destruction translates olethros--pronounced: ol'-eth-ros (G3639) and means ruin, deadly and death. The words of Paul convey the same message of God as found in the Old Testament and then in the gospels, where Jesus spoke of death to those who would not obey. Recall the words of Jesus to those who spurned him by not helping others in Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Everlasting is the same word aionios Paul used in II Thessalonians 1:9 and punishment kolasis--pronounced: kol'-as-is (G2851) verse 46 refers to pruning, purging and burning the chaff with fire (See Matthew 3:10-12 and Luke3:17). Paul’s word in II Thessalonians is olethros, explained above, is the result of the gospel verses cited. Paul said that those who did not obey would be destroyed and any hope they might have had of being resurrected to eternal life which would show the power of God though Jesus Christ would be lost. Just as Paul’s words in I Thessalonians are in harmony with Jesus, II Thessalonians 1:8-9 is in complete harmony with the message in the gospels. The historical message of destruction always points to A.D. 70 and the death of the unbelievers.

Peter’s letters also addressed Jerusalem’s destruction. He began in II Peter 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: Then in verse two he reminds them of the message they are to remember: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: That verse calls the assembly/church back to the message they heard from Jesus and then written in the gospels and that which the apostles spoke from the Day of Pentecost on to the time the other apostles and Peter wrote their letters.

Verses 3, 4 5 and 6 go together. Peter compares their present day with world before the flood when all but Noah and his family perished. The people then didn’t listen, though Noah preached to them II Peter 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; In verse 6 Peter wrote Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: Perished is the Greek word apollumi--pronounced: ap-ol'-loo-mee (G0622) to destroy fully, die. Peter used the flood in comparison and said the same was going to happen to the unbelievers of his day. They were going to die because they wouldn’t listen.

Beginning with verse 7 and continuing through verse 18 is the part of the biblical message that has lead to much false doctrine. What is the message that Peter wrote to the church of that day and how does it apply?

Since the examination of the verse will be lengthy, the next part, XXII, will begin with verse 7.  

© 09-18-2012 DEC