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"Therefore" - (2 Thessalonians 2:15 ) links all that has been said. It is the appeal of logic, not emotion. In view of God's love - call - work - plan, be steadfast!
"Brethren, stand fast" (2 Thessalonians 2:15 ). Because of God's intentions for you, because you are called to the glory of Jesus Christ, "stand firm". It is your consistent, firm stand that will influence others, and steady others. Our hope in Christ Jesus is the sound ground for steadfastness.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 "And hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle."
Here, the word "traditions" refers to apostolic doctrine (Acts 2:42 ). We are to continue steadfastly in the faith, as delivered to and received from the apostles. "Traditions" Greek 'paranosis', indicates a "handing over". Lightfoot points out that things handed over points to an authority outside that of the teacher himself.
The apostolic doctrine was received from the Lord Himself and handed over. When traditions are those of men and are put in the place of the Word of God they are worthless and harmful. (Mark 7:8; Colossians 2:6-8 ). Paul, by traditions refers to facts which God has been pleased to make known to men. (1 Corinthians 11:23; Galatians 1:11-12 ). The faith, or the traditions which you have been taught, are defined, divine truths which should be received as a sacred trust and a priceless treasure to be kept safe (2 Timothy 1:13-14 ). What has been handed over needs to be steadfastly held and contended for (Jude 3 ), and faithfully passed to other faithful ones (2 Timothy 2:2 ).
We can lean in total reliance on our faithful God.
"Who Has Loved Us" (2 Thessalonians 2:16)
This is the love described in John 3:16, "so loved that He gave". His love not only sent the Son, but gave Him to die for us. The Son gave Himself for us, we could not be loved more - lean on His arms of love.
"And Has Given Us Everlasting Consolation" (2 Thessalonians 2:16)
That has become real to us in the giving to us of the eternal Spirit, the Comforter. We can never want, for consolation springs out of the abiding Comforter in the midst of trials and suffering for Christ's sake. The free supply will never run out - it is everlasting.
"And Good Hope by Grace" (2 Thessalonians 2:16)
The good hope of His coming again - and His good favour upon our lives, we have great assurance. In view of Calvary - Pentecost - His coming - we can lean confidently on our God (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 ). So in the comfort of our God, through total dependence on our God, we become established.
Establishment and perseverance results from being settled in the Word and living it out in work for Him. Through the Holy Spirit the promise of the Father and the gift of the Son, we have consolation - inspiration - strength, to lean on the Word and live it in service.
They pray for them (2 Thessalonians 2:16,17 ). All need prayer, even apostles. Jesus commanded that we pray always (Luke 18:1 ). We can enter into the labours of others through prayer.
(NIV - spread rapidly). The Word is glorified, that is extolled; when it is reverenced as God's Word - obeyed - trusted - quoted - and is witnessed to as triumphant in the lives of those who hear it (Acts 13:48; 1 Peter 4:14 ). We can pray for the Word to be effective in this way.
Paul and his helpers were up against men who would silence them even by taking their lives if they could. (Acts 17:5; 19:23 ). Failing to do that these unreasonable, wicked men would force them out of town - destroy their influence - slander them - belittle them - attempt all and everything to make them ineffective so that their message would not be heard. The enemy has not changed - how we need to pray for those who labour in the Word.
