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  • 2 Thessalonians 1
  • New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

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Overview of 2 Thessalonians

    • A. PAUL’S INTRODUCTORY GREETING (1:1, 2)

    • B. PAUL COMMENDS THE THESSALONIAN CHRISTIANS FOR THE ENDURANCE THAT THEY SHOW DESPITE HARDSHIPS (1:3-12)

      • Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians’ growing faith (1:3-5)

      • Relief will come when the Lord brings vengeance on the persecutors (1:6-10)

      • Paul prays that the Thessalonians might be counted worthy of being called by God (1:11, 12)

The Second to the Thessalonians

  • The Second to the Thessalonians: Titles such as this were apparently not part of the original text. Ancient manuscripts show that the titles were added later, doubtless to make it easier to identify the books.​—See study note on 1Co Title.

2 Thessalonians 1:1

  • Silvanus: See study note on 2Co 1:19.

    to the congregation of the Thessalonians: Like Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, this letter is addressed “to the congregation” in general. This differs from his letters to Timothy or Titus, which were addressed to individual overseers, and from the letter to the Philippians, which specifically mentions the congregation overseers and the ministerial servants.​—Php 1:1.

Media

  • Video Introduction to the Book of 2 Thessalonians

Marginal References

  • +2Co 1:19; 1Th 3:2, 6

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    “All Scripture,” p. 232

  • Publications Index

    si 232;

    w73 319; w68 206; g65 3/8 7

2 Thessalonians 1:3

  • is growing exceedingly: At the beginning of his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul mentions their faith and love. (1Th 1:3) Here he commends them because of the remarkable growth of these qualities in them. The term he uses (hy·pe·rau·xaʹno) is related to a word that was often used regarding the growth of plants. (Mt 6:28; Lu 13:19) Paul adds the Greek prefix hy·perʹ (meaning “over; beyond”) for emphasis. (Compare Eph 3:20, “superabundantly beyond.”) So here the expression could literally be rendered “is having supergrowth.”​—Kingdom Interlinear.

Marginal References

  • +1Th 3:12; 4:9, 10

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    11/15/2005, p. 32

  • Publications Index

    w05 11/15 32;

    w73 459-460; w61 141; g61 11/22 28

2 Thessalonians 1:4

  • hardships: Or “tribulations.”​—See study note on 2Co 1:4.

Footnotes

  • *

    Or “enduring.”

Marginal References

  • +1Th 2:19
  • +1Th 1:6; 2:14; 1Pe 2:21

Indexes

  • Publications Index

    w81 1/15 18; w73 459-460; g62 12/22 3

2 Thessalonians 1:5

Marginal References

  • +Ac 14:22; Ro 8:17; 2Ti 2:12

Indexes

  • Publications Index

    w73 459-460; w63 41; ln 6

2 Thessalonians 1:6

Marginal References

  • +Zec 2:8; Ro 12:19; Re 6:9, 10

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    11/15/2004, p. 19

  • Publications Index

    w04 11/15 19;

    w74 170; w65 415; w60 55; sr55 27; w53 699

2 Thessalonians 1:7

  • the revelation: Or “the uncovering; the disclosure.” The Greek term a·po·kaʹly·psis is here used in the expression “the revelation of the Lord Jesus.” He will be revealed as King and Judge, empowered to reward and to punish. At the time of his “revelation,” he will reward his faithful followers, who have suffered tribulation, and he will execute vengeance on the ungodly.

Marginal References

  • +Lu 17:29, 30; 1Pe 1:7, 13; 4:13
  • +Mr 8:38

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 797

    The Watchtower,

    11/15/2004, p. 19

    5/1/1993, p. 22

  • Publications Index

    it-2 797; w04 11/15 19; w93 5/1 22;

    w80 11/15 31; w74 170; g73 7/22 6; w61 58; w60 55; w55 104; w54 370; w53 699; w49 234; w30 182, 184

2 Thessalonians 1:8

  • in a flaming fire: The Scriptures often use “fire” in a figurative sense, as in this verse. In Bible times, fire was the most thorough means of destruction. (De 13:16; Jos 6:24) On occasion, Jesus used the term “fire” in an illustrative way to denote the complete destruction of the wicked.​—Mt 13:40-42, 49, 50; compare Isa 66:15, 24; Mt 25:41.

    vengeance: That is, divine vengeance and judgment. Paul says that “it is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation” for the Christians. (2Th 1:6) The Greek word rendered “vengeance” (ek·diʹke·sis) literally means “from justice,” suggesting that the action represents justice achieved. It has also been rendered “meting out justice” or simply “justice.” (Lu 18:7, 8; 21:22 and study note) The Bible shows that God is ultimately responsible for bringing “vengeance” that will result in true justice. (De 32:35, 43; Ps 94:1; Ro 12:19; Heb 10:30) For the vengeance that Paul describes here, God has appointed the Lord Jesus Christ as Chief Executioner.

    those who do not know God: Paul refers to those who willfully decide that they will not develop a relationship with Jehovah and become his friends. In contrast, those who “know God” do more than acknowledge that he exists; they have more than superficial knowledge of him. They take steps to develop a close friendship with him; they know his likes and dislikes. They love him and live by his standards. (1Jo 2:3, 4; 4:8) Those who truly know God have the honor of being “known by him” (1Co 8:3), which means having his approval.​—See study notes on Joh 17:3; Ga 4:9.

    the good news about our Lord Jesus: This expression includes all that Jesus taught, as found in God’s Word. This good news is the basis on which all mankind will be judged. Those who accept and obey the good news will gain salvation; those who “do not obey the good news” will bring destruction on themselves.

Marginal References

  • +Ps 79:6
  • +Joh 3:36; Ro 2:8

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower (Study),

    9/2019, pp. 12-13

    Insight, Volume 1, pp. 617, 834

    The Watchtower,

    11/15/2004, p. 19

    5/1/1993, p. 22

    5/1/1989, p. 19

    1/1/1989, p. 20

  • Publications Index

    w19.09 12-13; it-1 617, 834; w04 11/15 19; w93 5/1 22; w89 1/1 20; w89 5/1 19;

    uw 81; w81 1/15 5; w74 170; w74 433; ts 164; g73 7/22 6; w65 150; g65 9/8 6; w63 41; ln 7; w62 164; w60 55; w54 370; w53 699; w49 234; w36 99

2 Thessalonians 1:9

  • everlasting destruction: The Bible indicates that some people will suffer everlasting destruction. For example, Jesus said that those who blaspheme the holy spirit are “guilty of everlasting sin” and will not be forgiven, “no, not in this system of things nor in that to come.” (Mr 3:28, 29; Mt 12:32) This apparently includes Judas, whom Jesus called “the son of destruction.” (Joh 17:12 and study note) Judas’ deliberate betrayal of the Son of God made him subject to everlasting destruction. Here Paul states that those who by choice “do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus” will experience “everlasting destruction.”​—2Th 1:8.

    from before the Lord: Lit., “from the face of the Lord.” Although the words at 2Th 1:9 may allude to what is expressed at Isa 2:10, 19, 21, this is not a direct quotation from the Hebrew Scriptures. “The Lord” could here be referring either to Jehovah God or to Jesus. In a case like this, the New World Bible Translation Committee retained the rendering “Lord” so as not to overstep the bounds of a translator.​—See App. C1; compare study note on Ro 10:12.

Marginal References

  • +2Pe 3:7

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 792

    The Watchtower,

    5/1/1989, p. 19

    Reasoning, pp. 171-172

  • Publications Index

    it-2 792; w89 5/1 19; rs 171-172;

    g78 11/8 27-28; w74 123, 128; w65 150; w60 55; w53 699

2 Thessalonians 1:10

Marginal References

  • +1Th 2:13

Indexes

  • Publications Index

    w51 599

2 Thessalonians 1:11

Marginal References

  • +Ro 8:30

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 1, p. 986

  • Publications Index

    it-1 986

2 Thessalonians 1:12

Indexes

  • Publications Index

    g72 3/22 7

Parallel Translations

Click a verse number to display parallel Bible verses.

General

2 Thess. 1:12Co 1:19; 1Th 3:2, 6
2 Thess. 1:31Th 3:12; 4:9, 10
2 Thess. 1:41Th 2:19
2 Thess. 1:41Th 1:6; 2:14; 1Pe 2:21
2 Thess. 1:5Ac 14:22; Ro 8:17; 2Ti 2:12
2 Thess. 1:6Zec 2:8; Ro 12:19; Re 6:9, 10
2 Thess. 1:7Lu 17:29, 30; 1Pe 1:7, 13; 4:13
2 Thess. 1:7Mr 8:38
2 Thess. 1:8Ps 79:6
2 Thess. 1:8Joh 3:36; Ro 2:8
2 Thess. 1:92Pe 3:7
2 Thess. 1:101Th 2:13
2 Thess. 1:11Ro 8:30
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New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

The Second to the Thessalonians

1 Paul, Sil·vaʹnus, and Timothy,+ to the congregation of the Thes·sa·loʹni·ans in union with God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 May you have undeserved kindness and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We are obligated always to give thanks to God for you, brothers. This is fitting, because your faith is growing exceedingly and the love of each and every one of you is increasing toward one another.+ 4 As a result we ourselves take pride in you+ among the congregations of God because of your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the hardships that you are suffering.*+ 5 This is a proof of the righteous judgment of God, leading to your being counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you are indeed suffering.+

6 This takes into account that it is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you.+ 7 But you who suffer tribulation will be given relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus+ from heaven with his powerful angels+ 8 in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance on those who do not know God+ and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus.+ 9 These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction+ from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength, 10 at the time when he comes to be glorified in connection with his holy ones and to be regarded in that day with wonder among all those who exercised faith, because the witness we gave met with faith among you.+

11 To that very end we always pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling+ and with his power perform completely all the good that he pleases and every work of faith. 12 This is so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in union with him, according to the undeserved kindness of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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