2 Thessalonians 1

2 Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

We now begin the second letter to the Thessalonians.

It seems evident, this second letter was written in response to a letter or word from the Thessalonians themselves. They must have provided some response to Paul’s initial letter, which we call, 1 Thessalonians. We have no written record of this, but the fact that Paul penned this second letter tells us it was to alleviate some of their concerns.

Now, to refresh your memory, we learned about Paul’s companions: Silvanus (Silas) and Timotheus (Timothy) in 1 Thessalonians 1:1.

2 Thessalonians 1:2
Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Interestingly enough, these two verses echo those found in 1 Thessalonians 1:1. This was Paul’s introduction and greeting to the church. Always reminding them, and us, to display proper manners and acknowledge God and Christ.

Growing Faith

2 Thessalonians 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;

This verse helps prove the point I opened with.

The only way Paul could have known the faith of the Thessalonians “groweth exceedingly,” is if he heard from them after his initial letter. Therefore, whatever he heard from them spurred this second letter to alleviate their concerns.

What Paul most likely heard from the Thessalonians was their error in understanding the return of Jesus. It seems apparent, they thought His return was imminent in their day. I can say that, as this second letter to the Thessalonians heavily discusses the return of Christ, in great detail.

Specifically covering the events that must transpire before Christ’s return. As we will learn, Paul’s point will be, the return of Jesus was going to be a long way off, and here we are two thousand years later, awaiting the same.

2 Thessalonians 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:

Paul is saying, we shared your faith and progress with the other churches we visited to inspire them. Notice, the Thessalonian’s faith remained, even during the persecution and tribulation they commonly endured. In case you forgot, we learned about their trials in 1 Thessalonians 2:14.

You know, it’s very easy to have faith when times are good, it’s during those difficult times when we truly prove our faith and love to God. The Thessalonians constantly endured difficult times for their faith in Jesus Christ. They endured constant persecution and tribulation for their faith.

This is why Paul was boasting to other churches about the Thessalonians, they provided a fantastic example of real Christian faith. We should remember their example, and take it to heart.

The Judgment At Christ’s Coming

2 Thessalonians 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:

The phrase “which is” was added to our English text.

So what’s being said here?

One day, we are going to arrive at Judgement Day.

Therefore, the fact the Thessalonians endured “persecutions and tribulations” was an indication they would be “counted worthy of the kingdom of God,” for which they suffered. Simply stated, their suffering for Jesus meant, they would inherit the Kingdom of God.

In fact, that is exactly what Jesus told us Himself,

Matthew 5:11-12
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

So I want you to always remember that.

If you’re going through a difficult time in your life due to your faith in Jesus. Remember the Thessalonians, they also endured “persecutions and tribulations” for their faith. You are not alone, and while it can be difficult to deal with, God will reward you greatly and openly for it, (1 Corinthians 10:13).

2 Thessalonians 1:6
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

Those who trouble the righteous often bring on their own troubles. Yet, we’re being told that God Himself will bring them trouble. In fact, the word “tribulation” means,

“Pressure, anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.”

God will bring trouble and anguish upon the wicked, whether in this life or the one to come. Whatever pleasures they have in this life, they better enjoy it, because it’s all they’re going to enjoy. In fact, this isn’t the only verse that promises God will deal with the wicked.

In Deuteronomy 32:41, God states,

“…I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.”

Also: Ps 94:20-23, Is 59:18, Rev 19:2

Our enemies are God’s enemies.

Now, I want you to consider what we’ve read in the last three verses.

1. Be faithful to Jesus during persecution.
2. Remain faithful and you will inherit God’s Kingdom.
3. God will judge those who persecuted you.

Those are promises from God to you, never forget them. They will help you endure your trials.

Now, in verse 6, Paul was reminding the Thessalonians, and us, that even during tribulation, we are heaping rewards in our corner for our faithfulness. If obtaining God’s Kingdom is not enough, then know and understand, those who persecute us will be punished by God.

Now, let’s continue, and read about the vengeance of the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-8
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Paul now tells us, upon the return of Jesus, God will officially “recompense tribulation” to those who “trouble” us, and to those who do not obey the Gospel.

In Paul’s day, there’s no doubt he was referring to the Jews who heard the Gospel, witnessed miracles, and still rejected God’s Word. We’re talking about the Pharisees, Sadducees, chief priests, and scribes.

They were constantly persecuting the Apostles and Christians like the Thessalonians. It’s worth noting, during the time of Jesus, “in Jerusalem there were four hundred and eighty synagogues” according to Jewish tradition. Imagine that level of persecution!

Now, let’s bring our minds back to verse 8.

Today, this verse not only speaks of those who persecute us, but the wicked, and even hypocrites within the church. I’m talking about those who pervert the Gospel in order to justify wickedness, which is all too common these days, (Isaiah 5:20).

It is all of these people…

2 Thessalonians 1:9
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Who will be destroyed with “everlasting destruction?”

Those who persecute us for our faith, and those who “know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Straight to the point.

Look, Paul was doing his best to reassure and comfort the Thessalonians in their struggles. So they understand, they will be rewarded for their righteous acts, while their enemies will be destroyed for theirs, (Matthew 16:27).

Interestingly enough, what we just read in the last three verses is also outlined in The Parable of the Tares, (Matthew 13:36-43). That’s the beauty of Scripture. It’s constantly and continually interconnected, and this helps us understand the Bible is a Divine book, it’s the true Word of God.

2 Thessalonians 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.

When Jesus returns, He will be glorified in His Saints.

What exactly does that mean?

There’s no doubt, when Jesus returns, the entire world will recognize it. He will appear as lightning along with a great host of Angels. It will be powerful, stunning, unprecedented, and His return will forever change world history.

However, when Jesus returns, His glory and honor are not necessarily revealed through His miraculous appearance. Instead, Jesus will primarily attain this glory and admiration through the long-awaited redemption of His Christian people.

Christ will then be glorified through the vast number of Christians that are redeemed. He will be glorified through their patience in the trials they endured for Him. At that moment, even the Gentiles will recognize that Jesus is real, and that He has saved His People.

We can then envision, Jesus taking control of the world and its governments, and the meek finally inheriting the earth. This was all made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It was made possible as people like the Thessalonians, and you, believed in the words of this Gospel.

Counted Worthy

2 Thessalonians 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:

In this letter, and the previous one, we have witnessed Paul express deep love and concern for the Thessalonians. He continues to provide spiritual advice and wisdom so they can obtain salvation by staying true to Jesus Christ.

That’s why Paul said,

“We pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling.”

We all want to be counted worthy of salvation, and we do that by latching ourselves to Jesus, and detaching ourselves from the world and the sin it embraces.

This has been a consistent theme in this book. If you recall, Paul also told the Thessalonians he wanted them to be “unblameable in holiness before God” and for them to “be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1 Thessalonians 3:13, 5:23).

That’s exactly what God wants for each and every one of us.

2 Thessalonians 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.

Here we have the conclusion of Paul’s statements in this chapter.

The stated goal is for Jesus to be glorified in you. This statement really ties us back to verse 10. Jesus will be glorified through the multitude of people who placed their faith and hope in Him. This is how He will be “glorified in his saints,” “glorified in you.”

We are glorified “in Him,” as we will be acknowledged before our Heavenly Father, and given the Kingdom of God along with Christ for our faithfulness to Him. This all looks to the future eternity of God, when peace and harmony reign, forever.