2 Thessalonians

1.1-12

Paul wrote this second letter to the church at Thessalonica only a few months after the first letter. The church continued to suffer persecution from those who despised the Gospel and taught conflicting false messages. The persecution endured by the Thessalonians was so severe, in fact, that they were confused as to whether they were already living in the end times. Paul's letter served to reassure them that they were still waiting for the return of Jesus Christ. There had even been a fake letter circulating that these false teachers claimed to be written by Paul himself, attesting to the fact that the church was living in the End of Days. The following chapters will address this. Note Paul's address at the beginning of his letter (you will see it in the greetings of all his letters) - "Grace and Peace." Grace is God's unmerited favor toward the sinner, and Peace is the result of the favor. This is the summary of the Gospel. Paul affirms that God is the arbiter of justice and vengeance, as well as love and mercy. His prayers in verses 11 & 12 are a model for us to consider in how we would pray for other believers. Remember this - the point of our prayers is not that we get what we ask for - but as Paul says in verse 12, "so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

CHAPTER 1

Greetings of Grace and Thanksgiving

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, brothers, as is only fitting, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another increases all the more,
4 so that we ourselves boast about you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.

God’s Righteous Judgment

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 Since it is right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
7 and to give rest to you who are afflicted and to us as well at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,
8 executing vengeance on those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, AWAY FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD AND FROM THE GLORY OF HIS MIGHT,
10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our witness to you was believed.
11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill all your good pleasure for goodness and the work of faith with power,
12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.