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2 Thessalonians 1:1. Paul and Silvanus and Timothy - to the Thessalonian church in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. And the first message has the same beginning. Therefore, add everything that we said there here. 2 Thessalonians 1:2. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. When God benefits someone, then nothing is unbearable for that person, and everything is easily tolerated and passes. Why does the Apostle Paul, knowing how great a blessing grace is in life, prayerfully wishes it to the Thessalonians. For if she is with them, then not only will they not feel the burden of temptation, but also, enjoying the “peace” of God, they will remain untroubled and at peace. He also reminds them of the grace of God so that, even if temptations come to them, they, remembering the grace by which they were saved, will be comforted, and, strengthened in spirit by the valuable benefits previously received, they will not despair when faced with temptations and deprivations of insignificant ones. 2 Thessalonians 1:3. It is always right that we thank God for you, brothers, The apostle teaches three things here: if anything turns out to be good in us, then we should not praise ourselves for it, but thank God, and, attributing everything to Him, not to be arrogant; if someone suffers, then it is not worthy of crying and tears, but of thanksgiving to God - and those who suffer should rejoice, and not lose heart; We should not envy those who are successful, but rejoice in this and thank God for our brothers, so that those who are offended by the good that they see in others dishonor God Himself. The apostle used the expression “justly” so that we would not be exalted in gratitude itself, as if doing something special by this; for here we do what we must do. Why did he call gratitude “justice”? Or he says this in order to inspire that one should give thanks both in word and in deed; for such gratitude is true gratitude. because your faith increases If the surging stream of temptations for your faith did not drown you, then this is a sign of nothing else but that your faith has grown and become more exalted. Just as in the ancient flood, elevated places were not quickly flooded. That is why he said: “increases” to indicate a significant height of faith. and the love of each one for one another increases among you all, Notice the love of the Thessalonians. They did not act in such a way as to love one and not the other; on the contrary, their love was equal in everything to everyone. The apostle indicates this when he says: “each” and: “one to another.” For if we love only some, then this is not love, but the dissolution of love. If you love for God, then love everyone; if you love only a few, then this is human friendship. Note that close communication and mutual support help a lot in grief. 2 Thessalonians 1:4. so that we ourselves boast in you in the churches of God, In his first letter, the apostle said: everyone knows you so well that we don’t need to talk about you. How can he now say that he boasts about them “in the churches”! This is clear from the expression itself. He did not say: we tell them about you, but: we boast and exalt ourselves in you. Therefore, if we thank God for you and boast about you before people, then all the more should you do the same in everything that happens to you, and not lose heart and not lose heart in temptations. your patience and faith in all the persecutions and tribulations you endure The apostle shows that the Thessalonians were tempted for a long time; for patience is not revealed in two or three days. True patience consists of waiting when people have not yet received the promised benefits. But in the present case he speaks of greater patience, patience in persecution and adversity. For the Thessalonians lived among irreconcilable enemies, and they needed special patience - this was at the beginning of the sermon, when they were still poor people. Let those therefore be ashamed who, for the sake of human protection, accept false teaching. 2 Thessalonians 1:5. as proof that there will be a righteous judgment of God, so that you will be worthy of the Kingdom of God, He already consoled the Thessalonians with what was said above, precisely by saying: we give thanks and boast; but now he gives what the sufferer most seeks, that is, liberation from disasters and punishment of those who caused them harm. Thus, this is what the words of the apostle mean: endure disasters as proof that the judgment of God will righteously honor you with the Kingdom. For if He crowns you, the persecuted, and punishes those who are persecuted, then His righteousness is revealed in this. The great gives them consolation, showing that they will not only be crowned by grace, but by truth, receiving the Kingdom as retribution for their own labors and sweats. for which you suffer. Thus, the persecutors rule over you not because they are stronger, but because the Kingdom of Heaven is acquired through suffering. And this exchange must necessarily be accomplished in exactly this way and not without difficulty. Through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God, says the Lord. 2 Thessalonians 1:6. For it is right before God to repay those who insult you with sorrow, 2 Thessalonians 1:7. and to you, the insulted, a consolation For if it is just before men, much more so before God. In ordinary conversation, we are accustomed to say: if God hates the evil, or: if God cares about affairs, then it will be - in full confidence that those listening will necessarily answer: of course, he hates. So here the expression: “for it is righteous” means, of course, righteous. It cannot be said that just as the sorrows inflicted on you are temporary, the punishments that will follow from God in return for your persecutors will also be temporary; on the contrary, the latter will be endless: so will your peace. together with us, at the appearing of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with His angels of power, Here is another consolation, since the Thessalonians had to be partakers of the crowns with Paul, who had achieved such perfection. “The Appearance of the Lord” he calls His second coming, comforting them with this. For, he says, now He is hidden, but do not lose heart. He will reveal himself as God and Lord. “From heaven,” which is the throne of God. “With the Angels of Power” (μετ αγγέλων φοβερών), because angels are powers, that is, strong. Therefore, why should you be discouraged when we have such a Lord, whose servants are angels of power? Those who persecute you now will suffer punishment and will not escape it. 2 Thessalonians 1:8. in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Those whom he previously called “offending” them, he now calls “those who do not know God.” By this he very wisely teaches that there will be vengeance in any case. For, if not for you, then for Himself He will certainly take revenge on His enemies. Thus, this is said so that the Thessalonians are fully confident that the persecutors will in any case be punished, and the previous one is said so that they can be comforted that for the sake of their honor God will punish their persecutors, if He punishes those who prevent others from listening to Him, which your persecutors are now. The expression “in flaming fire” can be attributed either to the words: “taking vengeance,” as if he said: punishing the infidels with hell; or like this: “at the appearance of Christ,” which will be “in flaming fire,” as David says: “fire goes before Him, and burns His enemies around” (Ps. 97:3); and Daniel: “a river of fire came out and passed before Him” (Dan.7:10). Notice that “in a flaming fire” is said instead of: in a burning fire, but not shining. For sinners the fire will only be burning, but not shining; for the righteous, shining, but not burning. 2 Thessalonians 1:9. who will be punished, eternal destruction, So, where are the Origenists who talk fabulously about the finality of torment? This, that is, torment, Paul called eternal. How can something eternal be temporary for you? From the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might, Here the apostle shows the ease with which this will be accomplished. For this, he says, no effort is needed, but it is enough to appear to God, and all the disobedient will be punished. His appearance and coming will be light for some, and punishment for others. For He will not only come, but with mighty glory. And His glory will not be without power, and His power will not be without glory. That is, He will appear as the Almighty King. 2 Thessalonians 1:10. when He comes to be glorified in His saints When the people who now oppose the Gospel and are arrogant see that those whom they tormented have become participants in infinite glory, then the glory of God will clearly be revealed. For their glory is His glory, so that by what He glorifies the saints, He Himself is glorified. Just as His wealth consists in the fact that there are those who are faithful, so His glory lies in the fact that there are people who will enjoy His benefits. and to appear wondrous on that day among all who believed, That is, through those who believed. Here the preposition is “in” (εν) instead of “through” (δια). For when He honors the unfortunate and persecuted people with such glory, then His power will be revealed. And otherwise, when those who suffered countless calamities, being forced to apostatize from the faith, and yet they did not apostatize, appear in the midst of the judgment seat, then the glory of God and their glory will be revealed. because you believed our testimony. 2 Diven, he says, God will be on that day, because “you believed our testimony” and preaching, that is, because you believed and made yourself worthy of the benefits that will then be given to the faithful. He said well above: “on that day,” for then in reality they will show themselves to be true believers, but now many pretend to be believers. Therefore, the Wise One says: do not consider a person happy before death. 2 Thessalonians 1:11. For this reason we always pray for you, so that our God will make you worthy of the title Well, weren't they invited? Yes, they were. But that is not the title the apostle is talking about; for because of this many are called. And he who did not have wedding clothes was called (Matthew 22:25), and the five virgins were also called (Matthew 25:11), but neither he nor they entered. Here the apostle means a calling that is confirmed by works and which is actually a calling, just as real faith is active faith. Therefore he adds the following. and performed every good pleasure This, he says, is what I mean by the title, so that “every good pleasure” of God, that is, everything that is pleasing to Him, is fulfilled in you, and you appear as God desires for you to be, lacking in nothing. Here the apostle humbles their pride so that they do not become exalted with many praises, thereby showing that they are still imperfect. May God, he says, make the endurance of persecution perfect in you. How? “In strength,” that is, having strengthened and strengthened you. For patience is a work of faith, so whoever does not have patience does not show the work of faith. 2 Thessalonians 1:12. May the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified in you, and you in Him, If all that has been said will be in you, then even in this life, says the apostle, the name of the Lord will be glorified in you. For when they see you enduring every temptation out of love for your Master, it will be to His glory, that is, that He is so good that slaves are ready to die for Him, and so strong that He strengthens you in patience. But you, too, will be glorified in Him because you are so faithful that you endure everything. For the glory of a servant is to be faithful to his Master. Another way: suffering for Christ is glory, because it makes people purer, always ready to surrender to death, showing themselves to be above death. by the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. And this, says the apostle, depends on God, and not on us; His grace exists both if, he says, the Lord is glorified in us when we prefer nothing to Him as the sweetest of all, and then if we are glorified in Him when we receive from Him the strength to endure all trials. At the blzh. Theophylact instead of “Our Lord Jesus Christ” reads: “Lord Jesus” In the text of the bl. Theophylact these words are placed in brackets. You might be interested in: