Bible Gateway passage: 2 Thessalonians 1 - New International Version (2024)

FAQs

What is the main message of 2 Thessalonians 1? ›

Paul reassures his readers that God sees their struggles and will use them for His own glory. At the same time, God's awareness means impending judgment for those who afflict Christians with persecution.

In this chapter Paul recalls his ministry at Thessalonica. He had been maltreated at Philippi, but his suffering did not deter him from moving on to Thessalonica and declaring the gospel there. His willingness to suffer in order to share the gospel showed he wasn't motivated by money or self-glory.

2 Thessalonians 1:12 in Other Translations

12 so 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. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him.

10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 10 When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe.

Key Verses

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”

The global message of Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians is that amid suffering, believers must remember the sovereign grace that has rescued them in Jesus Christ. Everything in 2 Thessalonians contributes to these twin themes of endurance through suffering and the eternal scope of divine grace.

The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians provides significant details about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Some examples include the ideas that the Lord will return in “flaming fire” and that the wicked will be “punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord” (2 Thessalonians 1:8–9).

Maintaining Hope

In 2 Thessalonians, Paul discusses persecution, the return of Jesus, the need to remain hopeful and faithful, and idleness among believers. It reminds us that what we hope for shapes what we live for.

Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians (1) to reassure those terrified that the day of the Lord had already come (2:1–3:5); (2) to strengthen the Thessalonians in the face of continuing persecution (1:3–12); and (3) to deal with the problem of some of the church members refusing to earn their own living (3:6–15).

2 Thessalonians 1:3 Teaches Us to Pray for Other's Growth in Faith and Love. Paul starts just like he did in 1 Thessalonians by talking about thanksgiving for the Church of the Thessalonians. He actually says, “We ought always to give thanks to God for you brothers.

What does 2 Thessalonians 1 11 mean? ›

Strengthening Faith in God's Promises

So when Paul prays in 2 Thessalonians 1:11 that God would fulfill our good resolve and work of faith by his power, he is really praying that God would strengthen our faith in his promises.

In this verse Paul tells the Thessalonians that God is just. In His good time He will recompense every wrong. Those who afflicted the Thessalonians had nothing to look forward to but divine retribution. Justice is an outgrowth of God's righteous and holy character.

2 Thessalonians 1:8 in Other Translations

8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don't know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 8 Those who refuse to know God and refuse to obey the Message will pay for what they've done.

In this verse Paul calls upon his readers to remember how hard he had worked in order not to impose on them. He worked long hours, to the point of exhaustion, and endured hardship in order to preach and teach the gospel.

2 Thessalonians 2:10 in Other Translations

10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.

WHAT'S IT ABOUT? The letter tells a community of Christians facing persecution to cling to what they have previously been taught, to refrain from disorderly behavior, and to wait faithfully for the return of Jesus Christ.

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.

Two key issues in 1 Thessalonians is the encouragement of the Thessalonians to remain holy and avoid sexual immorality and the second was assuring them that Christians who have died with Christ will eventually rise and live with Jesus forever.

It is concluded that the stated purpose of 1 Thessalonians is found in 3:11 and 12 and 5:23: to persuade the readers to live according to God's wilL The author teaches the readers how to live as Christians and encourages them to accept new roles in society, to change their lives according to God's will and to remain ...