2 Thessalonians 1:1-8

1: Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2: Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3: We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;

4: therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.

5: This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.
6: For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 
7: and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 
8: dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

*** 

Paul once again wrote this 2nd epistle to the Thessalonians with Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy. It was while still in Corinth probably the end of 53 A.D. about six months after the first one. He sent grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus.

He said it was fitting for them to give thanks to God for the Thessalonians because their faith was enlarging greatly, and their love toward each other was growing. Once again, we see faith and love mentioned as something Paul, in his fatherly apostolic position, rejoiced over. Because of this they spoke proudly of the Thessalonians for their perseverance and faith during all the persecutions and afflictions they were enduring.

Their ability to endure the persecutions was an indication of God’s coming judgment on their adversaries. To be counted worthy of the kingdom of God meant they would remain true to the Lord and His ways, keeping the faith and love of God throughout it all. Having the strength to endure these troubles showed that God would bring them through with their righteousness intact, and would bring judgment on their adversaries, who were also His adversaries. Consider any trial you go through as an opportunity to reveal that the righteous judgment of God against His adversaries is justified as you remain in faith and love.

He will give relief to those who persevere, and retribution to those who don’t know God and don’t obey the gospel, when Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire. Fire will consume His adversaries (Hebrews 10:27, 2 Peter 3:7, 10-12) yet we will be with the Lord forever, given entrance to His kingdom.


 

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