2 Thessalonians 1:5

Text (2 Thessalonians 1:5)

5 which is a manifest taken of the righteous judgment of God; to the end that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer;

Translation and Paraphrase

5.

(You must never become discouraged in these sufferings, for your steadfastness is) an (obvious) evidence of the (fact that there is a) righteous judgment of God (coming upon mankind), Your steadfastness in suffering, combined with God's righteous judgment, shall work out unto a happy result, namely) that you (shall) be judged worthy of the kingdom of God, for which (I know that) also you are suffering.

Notes (2 Thessalonians 1:5)

1.

We come now to the main point of II Thessalonians, chapter 1, the topic of God's righteous retribution. (See outline.)

So often we see vice flourish and virtue perish. The Thessalonians probably wondered why they should be suffering persecution when they were trying to do the pure will of God. This problem of the prosperity of the wicked has always been perplexing to the righteous, Psalms 73:1-28 considers the problem. See also Job 21:7-17. Many songs reflect on this matter, such as We-'ll Understand It All By and By.

In this chapter Paul, like the writer of Psalms 73:1-28, considers the end of those who are prosperous, comfortable, persecuting, and ungodly. There is a day of righteous retribution on God's calendar, and He will equalize all things. Until that day we must trust in God, having faith that He will do what is right.

2.

What is the manifest token of the righteous judgment of God? Is it the persecutions and tribulations in 2 Thessalonians 1:4, or is it the patience and faith in the same verse? Either view is possible, but we prefer the view that the patience and faith is the manifest token.

3.

This would seem to be suggested by the fact that persecutions and tribulations are plural nouns, while patience and faith and manifest token are all singular. Since manifest token appears to be in apposition to a previous term, it seems most likely that it would refer to a singular word (or words) like itself.

4.

The term manifest token (Gr. endeigma) means evidence, token, or proof. (Thayer) Rotherham translates 2 Thessalonians 1:5: A proof of the righteous judgment of God.

5.

The patience and faith of Christians often suggest to sinners and persecutors the possibility of a divine origin of the Christian faith, and divine punishment for those who oppose it. It seemed to suggest this to Gamaliel. Acts 5:38-40.

6.

A remarkable case of how the patience and endurance of Christians convinced a man of the righteous judgment of God is the case of Justin Martyr (103-162 A. D.). As a youth he sought to find rest for his troubled soul by studying the philosophers, but found himself growing none the wiser with regard to God. He saw a good deal of persecution of Christians and admired the endurance they displayed. One night, while walking near the seashore, he met an aged Christian, with whom he conversed freely, and by whom he was convinced of the truth of Christianity. He spent his life seeking to win men to the gospel and writing articles to defend the faith. During the reign of Marcus Aurelius, he refused to obey a command to sacrifice to pagan idols. Hence he was condemned to be scourged, and then beheaded, which was executed with all imaginable severity.

To Justin, the patient endurance and pure faith of the Christians was a proof of the divine nature of their religion. In our times, the world is also looking for the proof in our lives that the gospel of Christ is true.

7.

A related verse to 1 Thessalonians 1:5 is Philippians 1:28: And in nothing (be) terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. Note here again the thought that the patience and endurance of Christians is a proof to their adversaries that they are on the road to perdition (destruction) while the Christians are following the truth. They sense this, even if they won-'t face up to it, or do anything about it.

8.

Often we hear people say that we can never be worthy of God's blessings. We ourselves believe as strongly as anyone that we are not saved by our own works of righteousness. Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:9.

But even so, this verse says that we may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, and indicates that being counted worthy is the result of our patience and faith as well as God's righteous judgment. So evidently it is wrong to say that a man can NEVER be worthy. (For the meaning of worthy, Gr., axios, see notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:12, par. 4.)

This matter of being worthy is also emphasized in other verses, 2 Thessalonians 1:11: that our God would count you worthy of this calling. Colossians 1:10: That ye might walk worthy of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 2:12: That ye would walk worthy of God. See also Revelation 3:4.

Let us freely admit that we are not saved by any works we do. But let us also realize that when once saved, Christians CAN and must live in a manner worthy of God. These facts do not contradict and exclude one another.

9.

What is it that causes us to be counted worthy of the kingdom of God? Is it God's righteous judgment? Or is it our patience and faith? It is both, If either of these were lacking, we could not be counted worthy of God's kingdom.

10.

The kingdom of God in this verse probably refers to the future and everlasting kingdom of God (as in 2 Peter 1:11) rather than to the church, which is also called the kingdom of God. Colossians 1:13. It is a fact that God has already called us into the kingdom and glory, 1 Thessalonians 2:12. But it is also true that through many tribulations we (Christians) must enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22.

11.

All Christians will suffer in some degree and manner. If we do not suffer, we shall not be judged worthy of God's kingdom. Compare Hebrews 12:7-8.