RSV ~ 2 Thessalonians 1 Notes

2 Thess 1:1 | ISB Notes

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy: The missionaries who founded the Church in Thessalonica. This is the second epistle they have sent to the congregation. See note on 1 Thess 1:1.

2 Thess 1:1-2 | ISB Notes

Paul describes the relation between God and the Thessalonian Church with two small but significant prepositions. Believers are united in the Father and the Son (1:1) by the grace and peace that come from the Father and the Son (1:2). In effect, the triune God is both the locus and source of every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3-14).

2 Thess 1:2 | ISB Notes

Grace to you and peace: An early Christian greeting used by Paul and other NT writers (1 Pet 1:2; 2 Jn 3; Rev 1:4).

2 Thess 1:3 | ISB Notes

give thanks: Nearly every Pauline epistle opens with words of gratitude (Rom 1:8; 1 Cor 1:4; etc.). His thankfulness rises to God for the Thessalonians because their faith and love are growing steadily in direct answer to his prayers (1 Thess 3:12).

2 Thess 1:4 | ISB Notes

your persecutions: Trials began within weeks of Paul’s arrival in Thessalonica when a band of embittered Jews instigated an uproar against the apostle, his missionary team, and their friends (Acts 17:5-9). Local antagonism has continued unabated since then (1 Thess 1:6; 2:14). Paul is proud to advertise how well the young Church is weathering these storms.

2 Thess 1:5-10 | ISB Notes

An apocalyptic preview of the Day of Judgment. Here Paul focuses on the outcome of the proceedings rather than the process: to the saints, Christ will give eternal life and rest, but to sinners, he will give a sentence of eternal death and retribution. This closing act of human history will forever separate the sheep and the goats, sending them their separate ways (Mt 25:31-46; CCC 1038-41). See note on Rom 2:6.

2 Thess 1:5 | ISB Notes

This is evidence: Even before the Judgment, clear distinctions between the righteous and the wicked are emerging in Thessalonica: on one side, believers are suffering and yet holding fast to their faith; on the other, persecutors are harassing and abusing them in godless ways. This is a sign of blessedness for Paul’s readers (Mt 5:9-10) and a frightening omen for their oppressors (2 Cor 2:15-16).

righteous judgment: God will judge the world through Christ (Acts 17:31) with perfect justice and impartiality (Rom 2:9-11; 1 Pet 2:23; CCC 682).

the kingdom of God: The heavenly inheritance of the saints. In Paul’s theology, fidelity through suffering is a means of sanctifi-cation, i.e., it helps to make us worthy of the kingdom (Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17). See note on 1 Thess 2:12.

2 Thess 1:7 | ISB Notes

flaming fire: Symbolic of divine scrutiny and judgment (Is 66:16; 1 Cor 3:13-15).

2 Thess 1:8 | ISB Notes

inflicting vengeance: Assurance that Christ will right every wrong and repay the wicked for their malice should encourage believers to refrain from avenging themselves by personal retaliation (Rom 12:19; 1 Thess 5:15).

do not know God: Unenlightened pagans (1 Thess 4:5).

do not obey the gospel: Such as the unbelievers of Israel (Rom 10:16).

2 Thess 1:9 | ISB Notes

eternal destruction: Not annihilation or the termination of existence, but an everlasting state of spiritual death, disinheritance, and damnation. For Paul, hell is nothing less than eternal separation from the peace and presence of the living God.

Other biblical ideas and images fill out the picture of this terrifying prospect: the damned will endure “tribulation and distress” (Rom 2:9), “eternal punishment” (Mt 25:46), and “unquenchable fire” (Lk 3:17; cf. Is 66:24) (CCC 1033-36).

See word study: at Mk 9:43.

2 Thess 1:10 | ISB Notes

that day: The final “day of the Lord” (2:2). his saints: Or, “his holy ones”. This could refer to the redeemed People of God (Jude), but it is more likely a reference to the holy angels (1:7; Ps 89:7). Either way, their appearance in glory will magnify the glory of Christ, whose divine splendor shines through them (Phil 3:21; Col 3:4). See note on 1 Thess 3:13.

2 Thess 1:11 | ISB Notes

we always pray: Paul and his coworkers practice what they preach on the subject of continuous prayer (1 Thess 5:17).

2 Thess 1:12 | ISB Notes

our God and the Lord Jesus Christ: Several times Paul mentions the close relationship between the Father and the Son in his Thessalonian letters (1:1, 2; 2:16; 1 Thess 1:1; 3:11).