2 Thessalonians1
World English Bible · Public Domain
1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you toward one another abounds,
4so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your perseverance and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure.
5This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of God’s Kingdom, for which you also suffer.
6For it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you,
7and to give relief to you who are afflicted with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire,
8punishing those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus,
9who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
10when he comes in that day to be glorified in his saints and to be admired among all those who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
11To this end we also pray always for you that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith with power,
12that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Thessalonians 1.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The apostle blesses God for the growing state of the love and patience of the Thessalonians. (1–4). And encourages them to persevere under all their sufferings for Christ, considering his coming at the great day of account. (5–12).
vv1-4
Where there is the truth of grace, there will be an increase of it. The path of the just is as the shining light, which shines more and more unto the perfect day. And where there is the increase of grace, God must have all the glory. Where faith grows, love will abound, for faith works by love. It shows faith and patience, such as may be proposed as a pattern for others, when trials from God, and persecutions from men, quicken the exercise of those graces; for the patience and faith of which the apostle gloried, bore them up, and enabled them to endure all their tribulations.
vv5-10
Religion, if worth anything, is worth every thing; and those have no religion, or none worth having, or know not how to value it, cannot find their hearts to suffer for it. We cannot by all our sufferings, any more than by our services, merit heaven; but by our patience under sufferings, we are prepared for the promised joy. Nothing more strongly marks a man for eternal ruin, than a spirit of persecution and enmity to the name and people of God. God will trouble those that trouble his people. And there is a rest for the people of God; a rest from sin and sorrow. The certainty of future recompence is proved by the righteousness of God. The thoughts of this should be terrible to wicked men, and support the righteous. Faith, looking to the great day, is enabled partly to understand the book of providence, which appears confused to unbelievers. The Lord Jesus will in that day appear from heaven. He will come in the glory and power of the upper world. His light will be piercing, and his power consuming, to all who in that day shall be found as chaff. This appearance will be terrible to those that know not God, especially to those who rebel against revelation, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the great crime of multitudes, the gospel is revealed, and they will not believe it; or if they pretend to believe, they will not obey it. Believing the truths of the gospel, is in order to our obeying the precepts of the gospel. Though sinners may be long spared, they will be punished at last. They did sin's work, and must receive sin's wages. Here God punishes sinners by creatures as instruments; but then, it will be destruction from the Almighty; and who knows the power of his anger? It will be a joyful day to some, to the saints, to those who believe and obey the gospel. In that bright and blessed day, Christ Jesus will be glorified and admired by his saints. And Christ will be glorified and admired in them. His grace and power will be shown, when it shall appear what he has purchased for, and wrought in, and bestowed upon those who believe in him. Lord, if the glory put upon thy saints shall be thus admired, how much more shalt thou be admired, as the Bestower of that glory! The glory of thy justice in the damnation of the wicked will be admired, but not as the glory of thy mercy in the salvation of believers. How will this strike the adoring angels with holy admiration, and transport thy admiring saints with eternal rapture! The meanest believer shall enjoy more than the most enlarged heart can imagine while we are here; Christ will be admired in all those that believe, the meanest believer not excepted.
vv11-12
Believing thoughts and expectations of the second coming of Christ should lead us to pray to God more, for ourselves and others. If there is any good in us, it is owing to the good pleasure of his goodness, and therefore it is called grace. There are many purposes of grace and good-will in God toward his people, and the apostle prays that God would complete in them the work of faith with power. This is to their doing every other good work. The power of God not only begins, but carries on the work of faith. And this is the great end and design of the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ, which is made known to us, and wrought in us.
Key Words
Σιλουανός (Silouanós): "silvan"; Silvanus, a Christian
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Τιμόθεος (Timótheos): dear to God; Timotheus, a Christian
ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía): a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)
Θεσσαλονικεύς (Thessalonikeús): a Thessalonican, i.e. inhabitant of Thessalonice
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
θεός (theós): figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
ἡμῶν (hēmōn): of (or from) us
πατήρ (patḗr): a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
κύριος (kýrios): supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
Cross References
2 Thessalonians 1Sufferers with Christ are counted worthy of inheriting His kingdom, linking present suffering and future glory.
Supported by JFB
Direct answer to Paul's prayer in the first epistle that their love might abound.
Supported by JFB
The Son of Man coming in His glory accompanied by His holy angels.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Matches the unique greeting formula 'in God our Father' seen in the Thessalonian correspondence.
Supported by JFB
Wording parallels the wicked fleeing from the terror of the Lord and the glory of His majesty.
Supported by JFB
Mutual glorification between Christ and His saints, reflecting the reciprocal relationship of grace.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Echoes the apostle's deep sense of personal debt to constantly thank God for them.
Supported by JFB
Establishes the historical continuity of the Thessalonians' endurance under intense Judean-style persecutions.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts the Greek 'relaxation' (rest) promised here with the sabbath-rest of Hebrews.
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Compares the original mention of faith, love, and patience to their subsequent growth.
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The dramatic reversal of fortunes: comfort for the afflicted and torment for the comfortable.
Supported by JFB
Christ's high priestly statement that He is glorified in His chosen disciples.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Theological basis for being 'in God' and 'in Christ' through spiritual regeneration.
Supported by John Calvin
The apostolic truism that believers must enter the kingdom of God through many tribulations.
Supported by JFB
Paul’s recurring exhortation that believers walk worthy of God who calls them.
Supported by JFB