*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.
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 encourages us to stay strong in our faith, even when life is difficult. It reminds us that God sees our struggles and will bring justice in His perfect timing. Instead of losing heart, we should trust Him and keep doing what is right. We can apply this by staying faithful in hard times, praying for strength, and remembering that God is always at work, shaping us into who He wants us to be.
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 (WEB)
1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3 We 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, 4 so 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. 5 This 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. 6 For it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you, 7 and 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, 8 punishing those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus, 9 who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when 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.11 To 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, 12 that 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.