I. Eschatological Terms (Concerning End Times and Christ's Return):;xNLx;;xNLx;The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ / Parousia (Greek: parousia) (2 Thessalonians 2:1, 8, 9): Parousia literally means "presence" or "arrival." In the New Testament, it became a technical term for the future, glorious return of Jesus Christ to earth to judge the living and the dead, gather His saints, and establish His kingdom in fullness.;xNLx;The day of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:2): A significant Old Testament prophetic concept referring to a time of God's decisive and direct intervention in history for judgment and salvation. In the New Testament, it is closely associated with the return of Christ. Paul clarifies that this day had not yet arrived and certain events must precede it.;xNLx;The rebellion / The apostasy (Greek: apostasia) (2 Thessalonians 2:3): A great falling away or widespread defection from the true faith or from God that Paul indicates must happen before the day of the Lord. The exact nature and scope of this rebellion are debated.;xNLx;The man of lawlessness / Son of destruction (2 Thessalonians 2:3): A powerful, evil figure who will emerge in the end times, opposing God, exalting himself above all that is worshipped, and even taking his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. This figure is also referred to as the "son of destruction" (or "perdition"), indicating his ultimate doom. He is often identified with the Antichrist.;xNLx;Temple of God (2 Thessalonians 2:4): In this context, it refers to a place where the "man of lawlessness" will take his seat and proclaim himself as God. Interpretations vary as to whether this refers to a literal, rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem, the Christian church metaphorically, or has another symbolic meaning.;xNLx;What is restraining him / The restrainer (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7): An unnamed person, power, or principle that is currently holding back or hindering the full revelation of the "man of lawlessness" and the "mystery of lawlessness." The identity of this restrainer is a subject of much scholarly debate (e.g., human government, the Holy Spirit, the preaching of the gospel, an angelic being).;xNLx;Mystery of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:7): The hidden, secret, or yet-to-be-fully-revealed power of evil and rebellion against God that is already at work in the world and will culminate in the appearing of the man of lawlessness.;xNLx;Lawless one (2 Thessalonians 2:8-9): Another term for the "man of lawlessness," emphasizing his rejection of God's law and authority. His coming is associated with the activity of Satan, with all power, false signs, and wonders.;xNLx;Signs and wonders (false) (2 Thessalonians 2:9): Miraculous-seeming deeds performed by the lawless one through the power of Satan, intended to deceive people and lead them astray.;xNLx;Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8): Describes the ultimate defeat of the lawless one by Christ Himself at His glorious return.   ;xNLx;Gathering to him (our gathering to meet him) (2 Thessalonians 2:1): Refers to the event when believers will be gathered together to meet the Lord Jesus Christ at His return (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:17).;xNLx;II. Judgment, Suffering, and Perseverance:;xNLx;;xNLx;Persecutions / Afflictions / Sufferings (e.g., 2 Thessalonians 1:4-7): The hardships, trials, and mistreatment that the Thessalonian believers were enduring for their faith in Christ.;xNLx;Steadfastness / Endurance (Greek: hypomone) (2 Thessalonians 1:4; 3:5): Patient endurance, perseverance, or remaining constant and faithful under trial, suffering, or provocation. Paul commends the Thessalonians for this.;xNLx;Righteous judgment of God (2 Thessalonians 1:5): God's fair and just assessment, which will ultimately vindicate the faithful who suffer and bring retribution upon their persecutors. Their suffering is seen as evidence that they are considered worthy of God's kingdom.;xNLx;Relief / Rest (2 Thessalonians 1:7): The future state of comfort, peace, and cessation from suffering that God will give to His afflicted people when Christ returns.;xNLx;Vengeance / Retribution (Greek: ekdikesis) (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9): God's just punishment and righteous requital inflicted upon those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is not vindictive human revenge but divine justice.;xNLx;Eternal destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:9): The final, everlasting punishment and separation from the presence of the Lord for those who reject God and the gospel.;xNLx;Glorified (Christ in his saints) (2 Thessalonians 1:10, 12): When Christ returns, He will be marveled at and honored in and through His holy people (the saints), and His name will be glorified in them.;xNLx;III. Christian Conduct and Church Discipline:;xNLx;;xNLx;Disorderly / Idle / Not according to the tradition (e.g., 2 Thessalonians 3:6-7, 11): Refers to believers who were living in an unruly manner, particularly by refusing to work and support themselves, possibly due to a misunderstanding about the imminence of Christ's return or a misplaced sense of entitlement. This behavior was contrary to the apostle's teaching and example.;xNLx;Tradition (received from us) (Greek: paradosis) (2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6): The authoritative teachings, instructions, and practices handed down by Paul and his fellow apostles, both orally and in writing, which the believers were to hold firm to.;xNLx;Work (with toil and labor / quietly) (2 Thessalonians 3:7-12): Paul emphasizes the importance of diligent work and earning one's own living, following his own example, as a corrective to idleness.;xNLx;Not be a burden (2 Thessalonians 3:8): Paul and his companions worked so as not to be financially dependent on the Thessalonian church while ministering to them.;xNLx;Withdraw from / Have nothing to do with (2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14): A form of church discipline involving social and religious separation from a believer who persists in disorderly conduct and disobedience to apostolic instruction, with the aim of bringing about shame and repentance.;xNLx;Admonish (as a brother) (2 Thessalonians 3:15): To warn, reprove gently, or urge someone to a proper course of conduct. Even when withdrawing from a disorderly believer, the goal was loving correction, not treating them as an enemy.;xNLx;IV. Other Notable Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Faith (e.g., 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4, 11; 2:13; 3:2): Trust, belief, and reliance on God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul gives thanks for the growth of their faith.;xNLx;Love (e.g., 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:10 ["love of the truth"], 16; 3:5): Affection and active care for one another and for God. Paul gives thanks for their increasing love.;xNLx;Called / Calling (2 Thessalonians 1:11; 2:14): God's divine initiative in summoning people to salvation, His kingdom, and glory through the gospel. Paul prays that God will make them worthy of this calling.;xNLx;Sanctification (by the Spirit) (2 Thessalonians 2:13): The work of the Holy Spirit in setting believers apart for God, making them holy, and transforming them.;xNLx;Gospel (e.g., 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 2:14): The good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.;xNLx;Truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10, 12-13): The reality of God's revelation in Jesus Christ and the gospel, which is to be loved and believed for salvation, contrasted with the deception of the lawless one.;xNLx;"Our God and Father" and "the Lord Jesus Christ" (Frequent pairing, e.g., 2 Thessalonians 1:1-2, 12; 2:16): Demonstrates the early church's high view of Jesus Christ, often linking Him closely with God the Father in prayers and blessings.;xNLx;This list aims to provide clarity on some of the key terms and concepts found in Paul's Second Letter to the Thessalonians (ESV). Understanding these within their original context is crucial for grasping Paul's corrections of eschatological misunderstandings, his encouragement to the persecuted church, and his practical instructions for godly living.