2 Thessalonians 1 — Worthy to Suffer for Christ
Introduction: Paul wrote this second letter to the saints at Thessalonica because he was concerned about things he had heard were developing. He did not want them to be drawn off course by ideas that were not consistent with his teaching about the Lord, as they continued to experience persecution for their faith in Christ. He included Silas and Timothy in the greeting as he did in his first letter, as these men had been with Paul during his entire time there, and were likely also very dear to the Thessalonians.
NOTE: Bible verses are taken from the World English Bible (WEB).
A — Paul Said the Thessalonians Are Worthy of Suffering for the Kingdom
2 Thessalonians 1 “1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you towards one another abounds; 4 so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure. 5 This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.”
Comments: Paul begins this letter with an almost identical sentence to the one he used in his first letter to the Thessalonians. He tells them that since their faith grows exceedingly and the love of each and every one of them towards one another abounds, it is appropriate to give thanks to God for them — and even to boast to other assemblies for their patience and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions they endure. Paul tells the believers that suffering for the kingdom has the end of being counted worthy of the kingdom of God. He had a firm basis from the direct teaching of the Lord Jesus for this claim (John 15:18–25; Matthew 5:10–12). After the death and resurrection of Christ his disciples began to experience suffering for his name, and the apostles departed from the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for Jesus’ name (Acts 5:38–42). Paul himself had been told he must suffer many things for Christ’s name’s sake (Acts 9:15–18). Paul wrote a message similar to this to the Philippians (Philippians 1:27–30), and Peter agreed with Paul in his first letter (1 Peter 2:19–24).
B — God Will Provide Relief for All Afflictions
2 Thessalonians 1 “6 Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 giving vengeance to those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus, 9 who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed) in that day.”
Comments: Paul says that God will righteously afflict those who have caused affliction on the saints, and provide relief to those who have been afflicted. This will be accomplished fully when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire. At that time his vengeance will be upon those who don’t know God and don’t obey the gospel — they will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might. Moses recorded the Lord’s declaration about his inescapable vengeance (Deuteronomy 32:39–43), and Jesus had spoken of the coming judgment separating sheep from goats (Matthew 25:31–46).
C — Be Counted Worthy of Your Calling
2 Thessalonians 1 “11 To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfil every desire of goodness and work of faith, with power; 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Comments: Paul first made sure that his readers would be well prepared to endure persecution for the Lord, but he also wanted them to know that there are good works that can glorify the Lord as they give evidence that their faith is not in themselves, but in the Lord who saved them. Jesus had taught this: “let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Peter also wrote: “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (1 Peter 4:14).
Reflections in Prayer
Lord Jesus, since I have not yet experienced the level of persecution described in some of these passages from your Word, I pray that you will bring to mind the sure hope I share with those who went before, in the event that such severe affliction should come upon me. I want to honestly seek the treasures of your kingdom, and realize the fleeting nature of all things in this present world; and that should be true of me even if affliction is not a primary factor in my life. I want to be continually turning my thoughts to the truth that when you come in the glory of your might I will be among your saints who have absolute admiration for you, because I have believed the testimony found in your holy word. Give me works of faith through your power, that your name will be glorified according to your grace. Amen.
Published 15 May 2012