Introduction
Paul encourages the believers to continue despite persecution.
Verses
1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3We 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,
4so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your perseverance and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure.
5This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgement of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of God’s Kingdom, for which you also suffer.
6Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you,
7and 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,
8punishing those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus,
9who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
10when he comes in that day to be glorified in his saints and to be admired amongst all those who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
11To 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,
12that 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.
Questions
1. Why does Paul give thanks for the Thessalonian believers?
v 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,
2. For what two attributes, is Paul commending them, despite all the persecutions and afflictions they are suffering?
v 4 ... for your perseverance and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure.
3. What does Paul say will happen to all those who do not obey the Good News taught by Jesus?
v 9 ... who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
Summary Points
- v 1 to 4 Paul and his companions give thanks for the Thessalonian believers. They hold them up as an example of how to live, to groups of believers elsewhere
- v 5 to 10 Paul reassures the Thessalonians, that when Jesus comes, their persecutors will be destroyed. However the believers will be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God
- v 11 and 12 Paul prays for salvation for the Thessalonians in the future, and for God’s grace to be with them now
Audio