2 Thessalonians 1

After the usual superscription of the epistle 3 the apostle thanketh God for the abundant increase in faith, love and patience tribulations 6 testifies that God will punish their oppressors but deliver and refresh them in the day of the glorious coming of the glorious coming of Christ which he describes more at large 11 prayeth god that he would strengthen them yet more in that which is good 12 that the name of Christ may be glorified in them.

1. Paul and Salvanius [that is Silas see the first verse of the former epistle] and Timotheus to the church of the Thessalonians which is in God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ see the annotations on the first verse of the former epistle ]

2. Grace be to ye [hereof see in the beginning of the former epistle] and peace from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. We must always thank God for ye brethren as it is meet [Gr worthy that is descent or fit see Matthew 3:8 Acts 26:20] because your faith greweth greatly [Gr overgroweth namely beyond that it was before] and that the love of every one of ye all towards one another in abundant.

4. So that we ourselves boast of ye [Gr boast in ye that is praise ye and thank God because of his blessings upon ye and propound ye to other churches for a pattern of imitations] in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations which ye endure.

5. An argument of God righteous judgment [that is which is an argument that God righteous judgment shall once come upon the world forasmuch as good men must suffer here and the ungodly have the upper hand see also Philippians 1:28] that ye may be accounted worthy[or made worthy namely by God of grace as is declared hereafter verse 11 and before Colossians 1:12 not as if the enduring of persecutions is worthy of or merits this in itself for that the apostle denies expressly Romans 8:18 but because God graciously account or makes his children in Christ worthy of this kingdom as being like to Christ in suffering that they may also hereafter be like unto him in his glory Romans 8:17 2 Timothy 2:12 revelations 3.22] of the kingdom of God for which ye suffer.

6. Seeing it is just with God to recompense tribulation to them that oppress you

7. And ye that are oppressed refreshment [namely it is just with God to recompense refreshing which must not be understood as if such tribulations and chastisement of believers merited or were worthy before God of this refreshing as the oppressors deserve and are worthy of righteous judgment of God for Gods words every here testifieth the contrary to us see Isaiah 47.6c &chapter 51.21c Daniel 9:16 Hebrews 12:6 ,7 1 Peter 4,16,17c. but because such suffering is inflicted upon believers by the oppressors for Christ & righteousness sake for which god promiseth of them of grace such rewards of refreshing Matthew 5:11,12 1 Peter 4.14c And because God is righteous with God that he should do this as the words just and righteous are also elsewhere taken for the faithfulness and truth of God see Psalms 143:1 1John 1.9]with us namely apostles of Jesus Christ who have also particularly received such a promise from Christ Matthew 19:28] in the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ [that is public coming Matthew 24:30] from heaven with angel of his powers [that is with his powerful angels by whom he shall powerfully execute his judgments Psalms 103:20 Matthew 13 verse 41,42 and 24.31.]

8. With flaming fire taking vengeance [Gr in fire of flame giving vengeance an Hebrew phrase as before angels of his power see a further description hereof Psal. 50. 2. & c.] Upon them that know not God, [namely, as they ought, and therefore also love him not, nor trust in him] and upon them that are not obedient unto the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: [that is, believe it or not, nor lead their lives according to the same.]

9. Who shall suffer [for] punishment eternal destruction, from the face of the Lord, [That is, either because the wrathful countenance of Christ the Judge shall bring this punishment upon them: or that they shall suffer the same being cast off him from the presence of Christ. See Matthew 25:41.] and from the glory of his strength: [that is, his strong glory ; as before ver. 8. and Ephes. 1. 7.]

10. When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints, and to be wonderful in all them that believe [That is, to show his wonderful power and goodness in the glorifying of his faithful ones] (forasmuch as our testimony was believed among you) in that day. [Namely, of the Revelation of Christ, as ver. 7.]

11. Wherefore we also pray always for you, that our God would account you worthy [Or make you worthy See the 5. verse] of the calling [that is, of that glory whereunto ye are called; for they were before effectually called and brought to the faith] and fulfill all the good pleasure [of his] goodness, [that is, all that which according to his good pleasure and goodness he hath decreed concerning you. See Matth. 25. 34. & c. Luke 12:32.] And the work of faith [that is, faith which he hath wrought in you. Philippians 1:6. 1. Thes. 1. 3,] with power: [that is, powerfully, or by his power.]

12. That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ [That is, Jesus Christ with all his attributes, as Philippians 2:10.] May be glorified in you [that is, be acknowledged and professed glorious] and ye in him, according to the grace of our God, [that is, according to the measure of the grace or gift of Christ, as he speaketh Ephesians 4:7.] And of the Lord Jesus Christ.