This commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
4So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
6Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Keeping this verse in context, the passage beginning in verse 7 describes Jesus returning and taking vengeance on the wicked on a certain day, as stated explicitly in verse 8. Then in verse 10, we again see the phrase “when He shall come,”confirming that we are still speaking about the Second Coming of Jesus. But this time, it adds that He will be "admired in all them that believe." This raises a question: does this refer to believers coming with Him admiring Him, or to believers who are still on earth at that time?
It seems to be both. Because the passage distinguishes between two groups of believers. So how do we know these believers are still on earth and not coming with Him? In verse 7, Paul says, “to you who are troubled,”referring to believers still facing persecution here on earth. Their trouble ends when Jesus is revealed and they receive “rest with us.” The “us” likely refers to the other group mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 that return with Jesus:
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”
These are the believers who have died in Christ and are returning with Him. In contrast, the “troubled” are those still alive on earth, enduring persecution at the time of His coming. So, when Christ returns in judgment and destruction, it is a day of wrath for the wicked but a day of relief and glory for the saints all taking place on the same day.
11Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1
2 Thessalonians 1 — Forever Word commentary
King James VersionThis commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
4So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
6Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Keeping this verse in context, the passage beginning in verse 7 describes Jesus returning and taking vengeance on the wicked on a certain day, as stated explicitly in verse 8. Then in verse 10, we again see the phrase “when He shall come,” confirming that we are still speaking about the Second Coming of Jesus. But this time, it adds that He will be "admired in all them that believe." This raises a question: does this refer to believers coming with Him admiring Him, or to believers who are still on earth at that time?
It seems to be both. Because the passage distinguishes between two groups of believers. So how do we know these believers are still on earth and not coming with Him? In verse 7, Paul says, “to you who are troubled,” referring to believers still facing persecution here on earth. Their trouble ends when Jesus is revealed and they receive “rest with us.” The “us” likely refers to the other group mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 that return with Jesus:
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”
These are the believers who have died in Christ and are returning with Him. In contrast, the “troubled” are those still alive on earth, enduring persecution at the time of His coming. So, when Christ returns in judgment and destruction, it is a day of wrath for the wicked but a day of relief and glory for the saints all taking place on the same day.
11Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.