2 Thessalonians 1

It is necessary to add something here: Even though God may not give us full “relief’ here on earth, He will certainly give us peace in our hearts. Peace is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. For the Christian, even when there is no outward peace, there is always inward peace (see Philippians 4:7).

The Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven. At the present time, Jesus is hidden from those who do not have faith. But when He comes again, He will be fully revealed to all men. On that day, every tongue—that is, every person—will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (see Philippians 2:9-11).

Jesus will be revealed in blazing fire with his powerful ANGELS (see Mark 8:38; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Peter 3:10). In the New Testament, fire is a sign of the presence of God’s Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:3). This fire will destroy all those who do not believe in Christ, but it will purify all those who believe. Non-believers will be terrified at Christ’s coming, but believers will rejoice and “marvel” (verse 10).

8 Those people who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus are the same group of people. Not to obey the Gospel is the same as not to believe. Those who don’t believe in Jesus cannot know God (John 1:18; 14:7,9). Therefore, Paul is saying here, in effect, that God will punish all those who do not believe in Jesus (John 3:18,36).

9 What is God’s punishment? It is everlasting destruction. It is the opposite of eternal life. It is existence in hell, separated from God. Such existence is like death.

Therefore, we can understand that to reject Christ and disobey His Gospel is a frightful thing indeed; for the result of rejecting Christ is eternal death—everlasting destruction.

10 That destruction will come upon unbelievers on the day he (Jesus) comes to be glorified.

Jesus will be glorified in his holy people—that is, in believers. He will be glorified in us, and we will be glorified with Him (Romans 8:17,19). Christ is even now being glorified by those who persevere in their faith (John 17:10).

11 With this in mind—that the Thessalonians might share in Christ’s glory—Paul prays constantly for them. Paul first prays that God will count the Thessalonians worthy of his calling (see Ephesians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:12 and comments). Let us never forget that we have been called by God. We are His sons and heirs (Galatians 4:7; Ephesians 1:5). We have been called to share in Christ’s glory (2 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Peter 5:10). Let it be our constant prayer that we might remain worthy of such a calling!

Second, Paul prays that God by his power … may fulfill every good purpose of [the Thessalonians] and every act prompted by [their] faith (see Philippians 2:13 and comment). God will fulfill His purposes in us according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20-21).

12 Why does Paul pray this? He prays this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in [the Thessalonians]. This is why we have been called. To glorify the name of Jesus Christ is our duty and our calling (see Matthew 5:16). When we stand firm in faith, when we love others with Christ’s love, when we suffer patiently for Christ, then we bring glory to His name. And if Jesus is glorified in us, we too will be glorified in Him (Romans 8:30). We will be glorified according to the GRACE of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. May our lives each day reflect the glory of His grace! (Ephesians 1:6).