2 Thessalonians 1:5

“which is. manifest token 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”

“Which is”: “We come now to the main point of. Thessalonians, chapter 1. 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)” (Fields p. 169). There is some discussion concerning what is the "manifest token" of the righteous judgment of God. Two views are suggested, the trials and persecutions of the previous verse or the patience and faith of the previous verse. Personally. do not see how the suffering of Christians is an evidence of God's coming judgment.. like what Fields has to say, '"persecutions and tribulations" are plural nouns, while "patience and faith" and "manifest token" are all singular. The patience and faith of Christians often suggest to sinners and persecutors the possibility of. divine origin of the Christian faith, and divine punishment for those who oppose it. It seemed to suggest this to Gamaliel. Acts 5:38)” (p. 169). See especially 1 Peter 1:28 “in no way alarmed by your opponents--which is. sign of destruction for them, but of salvation to you”).

“Manifest token”: “A proof” (Rhm). “Proof positive” (Mof). “This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God” (RSV). “Of the righteous judgment of God”: This expression infers even when God judges, He is absolutely just and fair. Hell is. "righteous" verdict for unrepentant individuals (Romans 2:4). The perspective on suffering that the New Testament presents is vastly different than the perspective held by modern society and even some professed Christians, at times to us, suffering is. necessary evil, something that is to be avoided at all costs. Many religious people would argue that you are released from God's commands, if keeping them causes you to suffer, that is, God does not expect one to obey Him, if that obedience causes one personal pain. To many people, the fact that we are suffering seems to deny God's existence. Morris notes, “Suffering is not thought of as something which may possibly be avoided by the Christian. He must live out his life and develop his Christian character in. world that is dominated by non-Christian ideas. His faith is not some fragile thing, to be kept in. kind of spiritual cotton wool, insulated from all shocks. It is robust, suffering, when we have come to regard it in this light, is not to be thought of as evidence that God has forsaken us, but as evidence that God is with us (Colossians 1:24)” (pp. 197-198).

Here we are given. great insight. How we handle the trials of life can be. great tool for converting others. If others see us as being patient and steadfast, even when suffering, they might want to investigate our "secret". The happy man who lives in the thick of it, if. very attractive advertisement for Christianity (1 Peter 4:12).

“To the end”: “And will result in” (TCNT). “On the other hand, although God was allowing the persecutors some rope. He was using their (the Thessalonians) persecutions as. means through which to develop their faith, love and perseverance, in contrast to the prejudice, anger and bitterness of their persecutors, and so was preparing them for his eternal kingdom” (Stott p. 146). See Hebrews 12:5 ff; Romans 5:3; James 1:2. “Ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God”: See 2 Thessalonians 1:11; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12. Even though we cannot earn our salvation or eternal life, eternal life is conditional. We cannot earn salvation, but God does expect us to live. manner of life that is worthy of such. In the context, "faith and patience" in the face of affliction and persecution is the appropriate response to such by one who is walking "worthy" of all that God has done for him. We can never be worthy of God's blessings, but we can live in such. way that demonstrates that we greatly value and appreciate the blessings we have received.

“For which ye also suffer”: (Acts 14:22). Jesus suffered so much for us so we should be willing to suffer for His cause. “For”: “On behalf of, in the interest of” (Morris p. 199).