2 Thessalonians

Greeting and Thanksgiving

From Paul, Sylvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians, which is in God our Father and in Christ Jesus, the LORD.

May grace and peace be with you from God, the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Brothers and sisters, we must always thank God for you, as is fitting, because your faith is growing and your love for each other is increasing. 

We pride ourselves on you among the churches of God because of your endurance and faith amidst persecution and suffering. 

Christian Meaning of Persecution

This demonstrates the just judgment of God; for you must prove yourselves worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are now suffering.

Indeed, it is right that God repays with affliction those who persecute you, 

but to you who suffer, he will grant rest along with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed in his glory, coming from heaven and surrounded by his angels. 

Then, with blazing fire, he will punish those who do not recognize God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 

These will be cast into eternal damnation, far from the face of the Lord and his mighty glory. 

On that day, the Lord will be glorified among his saints and will reveal his wonders through those who believe in him, that is, through you who have received our testimony. 

This is why we constantly pray for you: may our God make you worthy of his calling. May he, by his power, fulfill your good purposes and your work prompted by faith. 

In this way, the name of Jesus, our Lord, will be glorified through you, and you through him, according to God’s loving plan and that of Christ Jesus, the Lord.