1. pauloV kai silouanoV kai timoqeoV th ekklhsia qessalonikewn en qew patri hmwn kai kuriw ihsou cristw
2. cariV umin kai eirhnh apo qeou patroV hmwn kai kuriou ihsou cristou
3. eucaristein ofeilomen tw qew pantote peri umwn adelfoi kaqwV axion estin oti uperauxanei h pistiV umwn kai pleonazei h agaph enoV ekastou pantwn umwn eiV allhlouV
4. wste hmaV autouV en umin kaucasqai en taiV ekklhsiaiV tou qeou uper thV upomonhV umwn kai pistewV en pasin toiV diwgmoiV umwn kai taiV qliyesin aiV anecesqe
5. endeigma thV dikaiaV krisewV tou qeou eiV to kataxiwqhnai umaV thV basileiaV tou qeou uper hV kai pascete
6. eiper dikaion para qew antapodounai toiV qlibousin umaV qliyin
7. kai umin toiV qlibomenoiV anesin meq hmwn en th apokaluyei tou kuriou ihsou ap ouranou met aggelwn dunamewV autou
8. en puri flogoV didontoV ekdikhsin toiV mh eidosin qeon kai toiV mh upakouousin tw euaggeliw tou kuriou hmwn ihsou cristou
9. oitineV dikhn tisousin oleqron aiwnion apo proswpou tou kuriou kai apo thV doxhV thV iscuoV autou
10. otan elqh endoxasqhnai en toiV agioiV autou kai qaumasqhnai en pasin toiV pisteuousin oti episteuqh to marturion hmwn ef umaV en th hmera ekeinh
11. eiV o kai proseucomeqa pantote peri umwn ina umaV axiwsh thV klhsewV o qeoV hmwn kai plhrwsh pasan eudokian agaqwsunhV kai ergon pistewV en dunamei
12. opwV endoxasqh to onoma tou kuriou hmwn ihsou cristou en umin kai umeiV en autw kata thn carin tou qeou hmwn kai kuriou ihsou cristou
Footnotes:
1:3-4 - Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians' faith and perseverance amid persecution. Suffering is seen as an opportunity to grow spiritually and strengthen faith (see also Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4).
1:5-6 - Suffering and persecution serve as evidence of God's righteous judgment, which rewards those who are faithful to Him. Tribulation also prepares the faithful for eternal glory (see also 1 Peter 1:6-7 and Matthew 5:10-12).
1:7-10 - Jesus' coming is described as a judgment event, bringing retribution for those who do not know God and for those who do not obey the gospel. The promise of rest for Christians is central to this passage (see also Revelation 6:10-11 and 2 Thessalonians 2:8).
1:11-12 - Paul prays that the Thessalonians will be worthy of God's calling and will be strengthened in their faith. God's power will sustain them and enable them to live in a way that glorifies the name of Jesus (see also Philippians 1:11 and Colossians 1:11-12).
Verses related to II Tessalonicenses, 1:
2 Thessalonians chapter 1 begins Paul's second letter to the church in Thessalonica. How does the apostle encourage believers in the midst of persecution? This comforting text praises the Thessalonians' growth in faith and love despite their trials. Paul assures God's just retribution and Christ's glorious return. The chapter addresses topics such as perseverance in faith, divine justice and the final glorification of believers. Ponder with us five Bible passages that correlate with the comforting themes of this introductory chapter.
Romans 8:17: "If we are children, then we are heirs; heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if we indeed share in his sufferings, so that we also share in his glory." - This verse relates to 2 Thessalonians 1:5, reinforcing the idea that the suffering of believers prepares them for the kingdom of God.
Revelation 20:12: "I also saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done, according to what was recorded in the books." - This passage echoes 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7, describing the final judgment when God will reward each person according to their works.
Matthew 25:31: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, with all the angels, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory." - This verse aligns with 2 Thessalonians 1:7, describing the glorious coming of Jesus with his angels.
1 Peter 1:7: "Thus, your faith, which is worth much more than gold that perishes, even if refined by fire, is proven to be genuine and will result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." - This passage relates to 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5, emphasizing the value of trials in the Christian life.
Isaiah 66:15: "See! The Lord comes with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; with fury he will bring his wrath and his rebuke with flames of fire." - This Old Testament verse prefigures the description in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 of the Lord's coming for judgment.
FAQ:
Why did Paul commend the Thessalonians in his second letter?
Paul commended the Thessalonians for their growing faith and mutual love, even amid persecution and affliction. He recognized their perseverance as proof of their worthiness for the Kingdom of God. (2 Thessalonians 1:3-5)
What does Paul teach about God's righteousness in this chapter?
Paul teaches that God will repay affliction to those who persecute believers and give relief to the faithful. On Judgment Day, Christ will come with power to punish those who reject the gospel. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9)
What will the coming of Jesus be like according to 2 Thessalonians 1?
Jesus' coming will be with consuming fire, accompanied by powerful angels, bringing judgment on the wicked and glory to the saints who have believed. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10)
What is Paul's desire for believers at the end of the chapter?
Paul prays that God will make believers worthy of His calling by empowering them to do good works and glorify the name of Jesus. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)
What do we learn about God's character from this chapter?
We learn that God is just, rewards each person according to their works, protects the faithful, and will execute judgment against those who reject His truth. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10)
