2 Thessalonians / Chapter 1

2 Thessalonians 1

12 verses • SBL Greek New Testament

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy greet the Thessalonian church again, thanking God for their growing faith and increasing love amid ongoing persecution. Paul assures them that their suffering is evidence of God's righteous judgment — God will repay affliction to their oppressors and grant relief to the afflicted when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire. Those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel will face eternal destruction away from the Lord's presence, while Christ will be glorified among his saints on that day.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

This chapter contains one of the most vivid descriptions of Christ's return in judgment in the Pauline corpus. The language draws heavily on Old Testament theophany traditions — flaming fire (Exodus 3:2, Isaiah 66:15), angels as divine attendants (Deuteronomy 33:2), and divine vengeance (Isaiah 66:4, 15). The phrase 'eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord' (v. 9) is Paul's most explicit statement about the nature of final judgment.

Translation Friction

The severity of the judgment language in verses 6-9 stands in tension with modern sensibilities but is consistent with Old Testament prophetic tradition and Jesus's own warnings. We render the Greek faithfully without softening. The authorship of 2 Thessalonians is debated among scholars; we render the text as it stands without adjudicating authorship questions.

Connections

The 'revelation' (apokalypsis) of the Lord Jesus (v. 7) parallels 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 but emphasizes judgment rather than reunion. The flaming fire imagery echoes Exodus 3:2, Isaiah 66:15, and Daniel 7:9-10. The prayer for God to 'fulfill every resolve for good' (v. 11) anticipates the pastoral concerns of chapter 3.

2 Thessalonians 1:1

Παῦλος καὶ Σιλουανὸς καὶ Τιμόθεος τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ Θεσσαλονικέων ἐν θεῷ πατρὶ ἡμῶν καὶ κυρίῳ Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ,

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

KJV Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The greeting nearly mirrors 1 Thessalonians 1:1 with one addition: 'our' (hēmōn) modifies 'Father,' which the shorter first letter lacked in the SBLGNT. This subtle addition emphasizes the relational bond between the writers and God.
2 Thessalonians 1:2

χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ θεοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.

From god our father and the lord jesus christ, grace to you, and peace.

KJV Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The fuller greeting includes the source — 'from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ' — which the SBLGNT text of 1 Thessalonians 1:1 omitted. Grace (charis) and peace (eirēnē) again bridge Greek and Hebrew blessing traditions.
2 Thessalonians 1:3

Εὐχαριστεῖν ὀφείλομεν τῷ θεῷ πάντοτε περὶ ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί, καθὼς ἄξιόν ἐστιν, ὅτι ὑπεραυξάνει ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν καὶ πλεονάζει ἡ ἀγάπη ἑνὸς ἑκάστου πάντων ὑμῶν εἰς ἀλλήλους,

We are obligated to give thanks to God always for you, brothers and sisters, as is fitting, because your faith is growing abundantly and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

KJV We 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;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase opheilomen ('we are obligated, we ought') replaces the spontaneous thanksgiving of 1 Thessalonians — Paul frames gratitude as a moral duty given the evidence of their growth. The verb hyperauxanei ('is growing beyond measure') is found only here in the New Testament and may be another Pauline coinage. The growth in faith and love answers the prayer of 1 Thessalonians 3:10-12.
2 Thessalonians 1:4

ὥστε αὐτοὺς ἡμᾶς ἐν ὑμῖν ἐγκαυχᾶσθαι ἐν ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις τοῦ θεοῦ ὑπὲρ τῆς ὑπομονῆς ὑμῶν καὶ πίστεως ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς διωγμοῖς ὑμῶν καὶ ταῖς θλίψεσιν αἷς ἀνέχεσθε,

Because of this, we ourselves boast about you among the churches of God for your endurance and faith through all the persecutions and hardships you are facing.

KJV So 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:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The compound verb enkauchasthai ('to boast in, to glory in') intensifies the boasting — Paul takes personal pride in the Thessalonians' faithfulness. He boasts 'among the churches' (en tais ekklēsiais), using the Thessalonians as an example to other congregations. The present tense anechesthe ('you are bearing') indicates ongoing, current suffering.
2 Thessalonians 1:5

ἔνδειγμα τῆς δικαίας κρίσεως τοῦ θεοῦ εἰς τὸ καταξιωθῆναι ὑμᾶς τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ, ὑπὲρ ἧς καὶ πάσχετε,

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering.

KJV Which 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:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The noun endeigma ('evidence, proof, sign') indicates that their faithful endurance under persecution serves as evidence — not that suffering earns the kingdom, but that their perseverance demonstrates the genuineness of their faith and thus God's righteous judgment in counting them worthy. The phrase 'kingdom of God' (basileia tou theou) is relatively rare in Paul (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:12, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:21).
2 Thessalonians 1:6

εἴπερ δίκαιον παρὰ θεῷ ἀνταποδοῦναι τοῖς θλίβουσιν ὑμᾶς θλῖψιν

Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense suffering to them that trouble you;.

KJV Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase eiper dikaion ('since indeed it is righteous') appeals to the principle of divine justice: those who inflict suffering will receive suffering. The verb antapodounai ('to repay, recompense') echoes the lex talionis principle but placed in divine hands — God repays, not the believers (cf. Romans 12:19, Deuteronomy 32:35).
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Quotes Deuteronomy 32:35. The TCR rendering of that OT passage preserves the Hebrew source text and documents the translation decisions behind it.
2 Thessalonians 1:7

καὶ ὑμῖν τοῖς θλιβομένοις ἄνεσιν μεθ' ἡμῶν, ἐν τῇ ἀποκαλύψει τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἀπ' οὐρανοῦ μετ' ἀγγέλων δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ

and to give relief to you who are suffering along with us. This will happen when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven with his mighty angels.

KJV And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

ἀποκάλυψις apokalypsis
"revealed" — revelation, unveiling, disclosure, appearing

Distinct from parousia ('coming/arrival') — apokalypsis emphasizes the disclosure of what has been hidden. Christ is already Lord; his return makes that lordship universally visible.

Translator Notes

  1. The noun anesin ('relief, rest, release') is the opposite of thlipsis ('affliction') — the present pressure will be replaced by release. The word apokalypsis ('revelation, unveiling') describes Christ's return as the removal of a veil — what is now hidden (Christ's glory and authority) will become visible. 'Angels of his power' (angelōn dynameōs autou) portrays the angels as instruments of divine power.
2 Thessalonians 1:8

ἐν πυρὶ φλογός, διδόντος ἐκδίκησιν τοῖς μὴ εἰδόσιν θεὸν καὶ τοῖς μὴ ὑπακούουσιν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ,

He will come in blazing fire, bringing judgment on those who do not know God and on those who refuse to obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

KJV In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase en pyri phlogos ('in flaming fire') draws on theophany language — God's presence is associated with fire from the burning bush (Exodus 3:2) to Sinai (Exodus 19:18) to Isaiah's vision (Isaiah 66:15). 'Vengeance' (ekdikēsis) is not emotional retaliation but judicial retribution — the enactment of justice. The two groups — 'those who do not know God' (likely Gentiles) and 'those who do not obey the gospel' (possibly those who heard but rejected) — may be two descriptions of the same group or two distinct groups.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Exodus 3:2 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
  3. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Exodus 19:18 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
  4. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Isaiah 66:15 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
2 Thessalonians 1:9

οἵτινες δίκην τίσουσιν ὄλεθρον αἰώνιον ἀπὸ προσώπου τοῦ κυρίου καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς δόξης τῆς ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ,

They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

KJV Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase olethron aiōnion ('eternal destruction') describes not annihilation but permanent ruin — separation from God's presence. The preposition apo ('away from') defines the destruction as exclusion from God's presence (prosōpou, 'face') and glory. This echoes Isaiah 2:10, 19 where people flee from 'the splendor of his majesty.' The penalty is defined relationally — loss of God's presence — rather than as physical torment.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Echoes Isaiah 2:10. See the TCR's OT rendering for the Hebrew behind this passage and the translation rationale.
2 Thessalonians 1:10

ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐνδοξασθῆναι ἐν τοῖς ἁγίοις αὐτοῦ καὶ θαυμασθῆναι ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς πιστεύσασιν, ὅτι ἐπιστεύθη τὸ μαρτύριον ἡμῶν ἐφ' ὑμᾶς, ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ.

When he will come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that trust (because our testimony in the midst of you was believed) in that day.

KJV When 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Christ's glory will be visible 'in' or 'among' (en) his saints — believers become the medium through which Christ's glory is displayed. The verb thaumasthenai ('to be marveled at, to be admired') suggests awe and wonder. The parenthetical 'because our testimony to you was believed' assures the Thessalonians they are included among those who will marvel. 'That day' (en tē hēmera ekeinē) is the eschatological 'day of the Lord.'
2 Thessalonians 1:11

εἰς ὃ καὶ προσευχόμεθα πάντοτε περὶ ὑμῶν, ἵνα ὑμᾶς ἀξιώσῃ τῆς κλήσεως ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν καὶ πληρώσῃ πᾶσαν εὐδοκίαν ἀγαθωσύνης καὶ ἔργον πίστεως ἐν δυνάμει,

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,

KJV Wherefore 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:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase pasan eudokian agathōsynēs could mean 'every good resolve' (the Thessalonians' desire for goodness) or 'every desire of goodness' (God's good pleasure). The former fits better: Paul prays that God would empower their good intentions. 'Work of faith' (ergon pisteōs) echoes 1 Thessalonians 1:3, forming a thematic link between the two letters.
2 Thessalonians 1:12

ὅπως ἐνδοξασθῇ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐν αὐτῷ, κατὰ τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.

According to the grace of our god and the lord jesus christ, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him.

KJV That 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The mutual glorification — Christ glorified 'in you' and you glorified 'in him' — creates a remarkable reciprocity. Believers reflect Christ's glory, and Christ's glory elevates believers. The phrase kata tēn charin ('according to the grace') grounds everything in unmerited favor — neither the worthiness (v. 11) nor the glorification (v. 12) is earned. The single article before 'our God and the Lord Jesus Christ' (tou theou hēmōn kai kyriou Iēsou Christou) has been debated — some read it as equating God and Christ, though most scholars see two distinct referents sharing one governing article.
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