2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 – Bible Study & Exploration
Standing Firm in the Faith
(Verses 13-14) Paul is continuously thankful for the new believers of the young church in Thessalonica. He reminds them that they are the firstfruits of believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ. In other words, they are the first to be chosen, hear and accept the Word of God. The first true Christians in Christ.
Being the first Christians, they are carving the path and spreading the gospel so the whole world will eventually hear the gospel. This path is the Christian walk we are all living. We are all being sanctified by the works of the Holy Spirit. We’re being made holy and righteous and worthy to be presented to God by Christ when we’re glorified through Him.
(Verses 15-17) Paul’s newly established church was vulnerable to false teaching as they had demonstrated by how they reacted to the seeds of doubt that were planted among them. He reminds them of the importance to stand firm in the faith and what they had been taught by Paul.
We all need a constant reminder of the true Word of God that we must hold fast to so that we are not deceived by false teachers. Spiritual deception is the real enemy of the soul. We need not fear the one that can destroy our body but rather fear the one that can destroy the body and the soul.
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Matthew 10:28