2 Thessalonians 1 Study Notes

1:1-2 On Silvanus and Timothy, see note at 1Th 1:1.

1:3-5 It is probably the persecutions and afflictions that serve as evidence of God’s righteous judgment. That is, they demonstrate that the Thessalonians are worthy of God’s kingdom.

1:6-7 God will reward his people with rest and repay those who oppose him at the future revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven. Until then the believer must trust that God in his time will handle current situations that are unjust. Angels are often presented as participating in executing God’s awesome judgments and thus are described as powerful (cp. Mt 25:31; Mk 8:38).

1:8 The phrase those who don’t know God is a reference to unbelieving Gentiles (1Th 4:5). Those who don’t obey the gospel is probably a reference to many Jews who had rejected the witness of the apostles to Jesus as Messiah and Lord.

1:9 The penalty of eternal destruction is described as being away from the Lord’s presence. The word destruction does not imply ceasing to exist or annihilation but separation from God in a miserable state. This is why it is described as eternal. There will be a time when God throws all his enemies into the lake of fire to be eternally judged (Rv 20:11-15).

1:10 The saints are the holy people of God. This term refers to all of those called in God’s plan of salvation (1Co 1:2; 2Co 1:1).

1:11-12 In view of this probably refers to the whole preceding passage about the people’s perseverance in persecution. Paul prays for their faithfulness in living Christian lives as a demonstration of their inclusion in God’s grace.