2 Thessalonians 1
Greeting
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, (who were with Paul at the planting of this church) To the church (the called out people/assembly) of the Thessalonians in (called out in relationship, ownership, instrumental cause, function and protection) God our Father (no longer our Judge and enemy) and the Lord Jesus Christ: (our Master and Savior):
2 Grace (unmerited favor—as God loved us when we were yet sinners) to you and peace (peace between us and God) from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (all through their grace expressed toward us).
God’s Final Judgment and Glory
3 We are bound (we can do nothing but, we are compelled) to thank God (the instrumental cause of God’s gracious plan and work towards that plan) always (continually, without ceasing) for you (concerning your good fortune as recipients of God’s grace), brethren (fellow gospel believers), as it is fitting (as it is right, proper, as your spiritual health merits), because your faith (saving faith and practical faith, your being and becoming the only kind of Christians God means us to be) grows exceedingly, (to an amazing maturity, beyond the norm, beyond expectation) and the (agape) love of every one of you (as a body, as a church family) all (as a whole) abounds (“abounds” is the idea of their love being more than sufficient, it super abounds, it is to the point of extravagance) toward each other, 4 so (much so) that we ourselves boast (glory concerning, express joy in, rejoice as a result) of you (as we travel) among the churches of God for your patience (perseverance, endurance) and faith (not just your growing in practical faith, but your persistence, perseverance in it) in all your persecutions (attacks, enemies, hostilities) and tribulations (they cause, like the pressure, trials, hardships, sufferings) that you endure (continue to hold up under, press on in spite of them—the fruit persecutions and tribulations produces is endurance), 5 which is manifest evidence (a positive proof, an excellent example, an affirming manifestation) of the righteous judgment of God (that He has saved you having judged your sin through Christ, and as a result He indwells and empowers you, thus evidencing His presence and will in and through you [What is Paul saying here that is such a tremendous witness of God? His work?]), that you may be counted (reckoned, declared) worthy of the kingdom of God, (in respect to being a worthy representation of His Person, qualities and significance) for which you also suffer; (They have already been affirmed of their saved position [1 Thess. 1:8; 2 Thess. 1:3, 10; 2:13[1]]. This “worthiness” refers to their living in a way that reflects and honors God, His kingdom as well as His grace and mercy involved in saving them—it reflects the truth of Ephesians 2:10, “For we (gospel believers) are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” The culmination of fulfilling Ephesians 2:10 is seen in Matthew 25:21, “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” [2]) 6 since (the inference here is “make no doubt about it—since) it is a righteous (right, just) thing with God to repay (duly give, reward) with tribulation those who trouble you (In other words: God will bring suffering upon those who cause you suffering—They will reap what they have sown if they die in their sin), 7 and to (it is a righteous thing with God to) give you who (because of these persecutions and tribulations) are troubled rest (meaning freedom from these kinds of persons and treatment, enjoying everlasting and perfect peace in the kingdom and presence of God) with us (Paul, Silas, Timothy, as well as with all other gospel believers) when the Lord Jesus is revealed (“revealed” is literally, “uncovering, the removal of the veil”—so when the covering or veil that obstructs the physical view of man from Christ is removed) from (His abode in) heaven with (along with the unveiling of) His mighty (super-empowered) angels (who exemplify the power and authority of their King), 8 in flaming fire (the earth will be shrouded by these mighty angles clothed in the flaming fire of God’s righteousness, holiness, justice and thus judgment—who will descend upon the unsaved portion of the human race) taking vengeance (inflicting punishment, retribution, penalty, judgment) on those (non-gospel believers) who do not know God (having been surrounded by the evidences of God, but suppressing that truth [Rom. 1:18-32[3]]—general revelation), and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (those who heard the gospel and rejected it [Jn. 3:36[4]]—specific revelation). 9 These (both groups) shall be punished (lit. “they will pay a penalty”) with everlasting (which means that this punishment is neither temporary nor personal annihilation, but continues for eternity) destruction (ruin, punishment [cf. 1 Thess. 5:3; 1 Cor. 5:5; 1 Tim. 6:9[5]]) from the (visible, physical) presence (lit. face) of the Lord (referring I believe to being exiled from God’s Person and the fellowship of His communion) and from the glory of His power (from the light and majesty of His Person, might and throne), 10 when He (Christ) comes, in that Day (at the conclusion of the 7 years of tribulation with His mighty flaming angels), to be glorified (honored, praised) in (not merely among, but in) His saints (gospel believers who will reflect Christ’s glory through His visible transforming work in them [2 Cor. 3:18[6]]) and to be admired (marveled at, to be struck with wonder and awe, to exude reverence) among all those who believe (gospel believers), because our testimony (the preaching of Paul and the evangelistic team) among you was believed (which meant they placed saving faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior).
11 Therefore (with regards to the Lord being honored by you saints of God and the desire for the Lord to be further honored by you) we also (in addition to giving thanks for you) pray always (without ceasing) for you (as well) that our God would count (deem, judge, regard) you worthy (again, in respect to your continuing to be a worthy representation of Christ’s Person, qualities and significance and thus worthy of the Lord’s blessing “us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” [Eph. 1:3b]) of this calling (of the spiritual, eternal, new, more abundant life He has purchased and imparted to you [Eph. 4:1[7]]),
View 1 (most take this view)
and (as you have purposed to walk in God’s grace and for His glory in the past and present, may you continue by your desire and God’s grace to) fulfill (bring to fulfillment, or to conclusion or completion) all (not just some, but all) the good pleasure (the resolve, purpose, intention, desire) of (the KJV & NKJV inserts here “of his” but the context best fits “of your” referring to the gospel believers) goodness (i.e., every personal resolve to do good) and the work (not just the resolve, but the manifestation of your resolve) of faith (that your faith in Christ stipulates and stimulates) with (with God’s enabling) power, (when gospel believers are “faithful in a very little”[8] they are further enabled by God’s power to do more and greater works.)
View 2
and (by walking worthy of your calling, you will open the doors for the Lord to) fulfill (to bring to fulfillment, or to conclusion or completion) all (not just some, but all) the good pleasure (the resolve, purpose, intention, desire) of His goodness (i.e., to benefit your person with all the goodness the Lord can and desires to bestow upon His gospel believers—All of this goodness has to come from God as only God is good, Matt. 19:17[9]) and (resulting in) the (further) work (manifestation) of (the gospel believer’s acts of) faith with (through God’s enabling) power, (when gospel believers are “faithful in a very little” they are further enabled by God’s power to do more and greater works.)
12 that (we pray for you in order that) the name (the Person, Words and works) of our Lord Jesus Christ may (continue to) be glorified (acknowledged, recognized, esteemed, honored) in you[10] (by way of the good conduct/new life Christ gives and brings out through you, your walk matching your talk, seeing Christ through you), and you (acknowledged, recognized, esteemed, honored) in Him (further blessed, encouraged, used, rewarded, etc.),[11] according to (not out of, but “according to” in accordance to) the grace (the unbelievable, unmerited benevolence) of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
[1] 1 Thessalonians 1:8 – For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
2 Thessalonians 1:3, 10, 2:13– 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other… 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed… 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth…
[2] Matthew 5:10–12 – Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
[3] Romans 1:18–32 – 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
[4] John 3:36 – He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
[5] 1 Thessalonians 5:3 – For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
1 Corinthians 5:5 – deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 Timothy 6:9 – But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
[6] 2 Corinthians 3:18 – But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
[7] Ephesians 4:1 (AMP) – I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God’s service,
[8] Luke 19:17 – And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’
[9] Matthew 19:17 – So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
[10] 2 Corinthians 9:13 – while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,
[11] Romans 8:17–18 – and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Faith Aids 