1The salutation. 3Paul certifieth the Thessalonians of the good opinion which he had of their faith, love, and patience; 6of the righteous judgment of God in punishing their enemies, and recompensing their sufferings; 11and of his prayers that God would fulfil his gracious purpose in them.
1PAUL, and 1Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians 2in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
1 That is, Silas, See the first verse of the previous epistle.
2 See the annotation of the first verse of the previous epistle.
23Gracea unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Hereof see in the beginnings of the previous epistles.
a 1 Cor. 1:3; 1 Thes. 1:1; 1 Peter 1:2.
3Web are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is 4meet, because that your faith groweth 5exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
b Eph. 1:15; Philip. 1:3; Col. 1:3; 1 Thes. 1:2.
4 Gr. worthy, that is, just, or suitable. See Mat. 3:8; Acts 26:20.
5 Gr. overgroweth; namely, beyond what it was before.
4So that we ourselves glory 6inc you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
6 Gr. boast in you, that is, to praise you, and to thank God because of His blessing upon you, and to introduce you to other congregations for a pattern of imitation.
c 1 Thes. 2:19.
5Which is 7ad manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted 8worthy of the kingdom of God, fore which ye also suffer:
7 That is, which is an evidence that God’s righteous judgment shall once come upon the world, forasmuch as godly men must suffer here, and the ungodly have the upper hand. See also Philip. 1:28.
d Jude verse 6.
8 Or, made worthy; namely, by God, of grace, as is declared hereafter, verse 11, and before, Col. 1:12. Not as if the enduring of persecutions is worthy of or merits this in itself, for, the apostle denies that expressly in Rom. 8:18, but because God graciously accounts or makes His children in Christ worthy of this Kingdom, as being made like to Christ in suffering, in order that they may also hereafter be like unto Him in His glory. Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 3:21.
e 1 Thes. 2:14.
6Seeingfit is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
f Zech. 2:8.
7And to 9you who are troubled rest 10with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be 11revealedg from heaven 12with his mighty angels,
9 Namely, it is just with God to recompense repose. This must not be understood, as if such tribulations and chastisements of believers merited or were worthy of this repose before God, as the oppressors deserve and are worthy of the righteous judgment of God. For, God’s Word testifies generally the contrary to us. See Isa. 47:6, etc. and 51:21; Dan. 9:16; Heb. 12:6, 7; 1 Peter 4:16, 17, etc.; but because such suffering is inflicted upon believers by the oppressors for Christ’s and righteousness’ sake, for which God promises them, of grace, such rewards of repose or rest, Mat. 5:11, 12; 1 Peter 4:14, etc. And because God is righteous and faithful in fulfilling His gracious promises, therefore it is said that it is just or righteous with God that He does this, as the words just and righteous are also elsewhere taken for this faithfulness and truth of God. See Psalm 143:1; 1 John 1:9.
10 Namely, the apostles of Jesus Christ, who have also particularly received such a promise from Christ, Mat. 19:28.
11 That is, a public future, Mat. 24:30.
g 1 Thes. 4:16.
12 That is, with His powerful angels, by whom He shall powerfully execute His judgments, Psalm 103:20; Mat. 13:41, 42; 24:31.
813Inh flaming fire taking vengeance oni them that 14know not God, and that 15obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
13 Gr. in the fire of flame giving vengeance. An Hebrew phrase as before in verse 7, with his mighty angels. See a further description thereof Psalm 50:3, etc.
h 2 Peter 3:7.
i Rom. 2:8.
14 Namely, as they ought, and therefore also love Him not, nor trust in Him.
15 That is, believe it not, nor lead their lives according to the same.
9Whoj shall be punished with everlasting destruction 16from the presence of the Lord, and from 17the glory of his power;
j Isa. 2:19.
16 That is, either because the wrathful countenance of Christ, the Judge, shall bring this punishment upon them; or, that they shall suffer the same, being cast off from the presence of Christ. See Mat. 25:41.
17 That is, His strong glory, as before in verse 8 and Eph. 1:7.
10Whenk he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be 18admiredl in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) 19in that day.
k Acts 1:11; 1 Thes. 1:10; Rev. 1:7.
18 That is, to show His wonderful power and goodness in the glorifying of His believers.
l marvel at
19 Namely, of the revelation of Christ, as verse 7.
11Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you 20worthy of this 21calling, and fulfil all 22the good pleasure of his goodness, and 23the work of faith 24with power:
20 Or, make you worthy. See the 5th verse.
21 That is, of that glory to which you are called; for, they were previously called and brought to the faith effectually.
22 That is, all what, according to His good pleasure and goodness, He has decreed concerning you. See Mat. 25:34, etc.; Luke 12:32.
23 That is, faith, which He has wrought in you, Philip. 1:6; 1 Thes. 1:3.
24 That is, powerfully, or, by His power.
12That 25the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be 26glorified in you, and ye in him, according to 27the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
25 That is, Jesus Christ with all His attributes, as Philip. 2:10.
26 That is, be acknowledged and professed glorious.
27 That is, according to the measure of the grace or gift of Christ, as he speaks in Eph. 4:7.