2 Thessalonians 1:1-2

Section I. Salutation and Thanksgiving. Ch. 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4

1, 2. This salutationis nearly identical with that of Ep. I., see note. Only the Apostle writes here church of Thessalonians in God our Father (Father of us, whom He loves and calls to he His own: comp. ch. 2 Thessalonians 2:16; Romans 1:7; Luke 12:32, &c.), instead of "the Father" (1 Ep); and the wish of grace and peace is followed by the words from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, wanting in the true text of the former Epistle, but which became from this time a regular part of St Paul's epistolary greeting. So these great blessings are traced to their source, twofold yet one: "God the Father" the ultimate spring, "the Lord Jesus Christ" the mediating cause of "grace and peace" to men.

He associates Silas and Timothy with himself, just as before.

The Thanksgivings, 2 Thessalonians 1:3 ff., while resembling that of the First Epistle, has a special character and fitness of its own. The Apostle dwells (1) on the signal growthof the Thessalonian Church in faith and love, 2 Thessalonians 1:3; (1) on his own boasting over their faith and patienceto other Churches, 2 Thessalonians 1:4; and (3) on the token he sees in this of God's righteous judgementas between them and their oppressors, which is to take effect at the approaching advent of Christ, 2 Thessalonians 1:5. This third ground of thanksgiving assumes so much prominence in the Epistle, that it will be convenient to make it the subject of a distinct Section.