*2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
Paul encourages the Thessalonians to stand firm in their faith despite persecution, expressing God’s coming wrath on the wicked and comfort for the faithful.
- Greetings and Thanksgiving:
- The letter begins with Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy addressing the church in Thessalonica, extending grace and peace to them.
- Paul expresses gratitude for the Thessalonians’ growing faith and their love for one another, highlighting their endurance and faith amidst persecutions and afflictions.
- Encouragement Amidst Trials:
- Paul acknowledges the Thessalonians’ suffering as evidence of God’s righteous judgment, which will result in their being counted worthy of the kingdom of God.
- He assures them that God will bring justice to those who trouble them and to grant relief to the afflicted, including the Thessalonians, when Jesus is revealed from heaven.
- This revelation will come with flaming fire, bringing retribution to those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
- They will suffer punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his might.
- Prayer for Spiritual Growth:
- Paul concludes by praying for the Thessalonians, asking God to count them worthy of their calling and to fulfill every good resolve and work of faith by his power.
- This prayer is intended to glorify Jesus, and the Thessalonians, like Paul, are encouraged to live in a manner worthy of the calling they have received, so that the name of Jesus may be glorified in them, and they in him.
1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 1:2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.