2 Thessalonians 1:6

“if so be that it is righteous thing with God to recompense affliction to them that afflict you”

“If so be”: “It implies no doubt, but rhetorically puts. recognized fact as. supposition” (Vincent p. 55). Stott notes, “Our habit is to see only the surface appearance, and so make only superficial comments. We see the malice, cruelty, power and arrogance of evil men who persecute. We are tempted to inveigh against God and against the miscarriage of justice. ‘Why doesn't God do something?' we complain indignantly. And the answer is that He is doing something and will go on doing it. He is allowing his people to suffer, in order to qualify them for his heavenly kingdom. He is allowing the wicked to triumph temporarily, but His just judgment will fall upon them in the end. Thus Paul sees evidence that God's judgment is right in the very situation in which we might see nothing but injustice” (p. 147). “It is. righteous thing with God”: “From God's standpoint” (Robertson p. 43). “Since God deems it just” (TCNT). “Since God considers it but just” (Mof).

Paul plainly asserts that God considers it. very just and righteous thing for the wicked to be punished. God considers hell. just punishment for sin. Sophisticated religious people might have. problem with hell, but God does not. Morris reminds us, “If it is true that the New Testament speaks much of the love and mercy of God it is also true that it does not gloss over the serious nature of moral issues. Our Lord spoke plainly of the fate of those who persist in ways of sin and impenitence (Mark 9:47 f). Those who followed after did not slur over this truth. They said plainly that the evil-doer can look for nothing but the continuing wrath of God (Romans 1:18)” (p. 200). People sometimes argue, “But God is too kind and loving to punish anyone”. Actually, Paul is saying, “God is too kind and loving not to punish those who afflict His people”

“Recompense”: The verb here is. compound “which conveys the thought of. full and due requital” (Morris p. 200).

The word "recompense" infers that sin deserves to be punished. Eternal destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:9), is not overkill, and neither is it an excessive punishment, thus our sins are more much than mere mistakes or slips. They deserve punishment so severe,. punishment that never ends (Romans 6:23). The Bible has always been clear that God always "repays" people for what they have done (Galatians 6:7). This is one reason why the Christian needs to let God deal out the punishment (Romans 12:19 ff). For God will repay people and no one will get less than they deserve.

“Affliction”: The word here means anguish and trouble. God takes it very seriously when people oppose Christians. This should serve as. serious warning to all those groups who try to stop the progress of the gospel. The word "affliction" suggests that the eternal punishment mentioned in the context (2 Thessalonians 1:9), will be conscious suffering (Luke 16:19 ff; Revelation 20:10). We should also remember that this "affliction" is rewarded after repeated attempts to bring the sinner to God (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). Marshall notes, “The God whom Paul is describing is. God who does offer love and reconciliation to His enemies, but if they refuse this offer and continue in opposition to His goodness and love, then it would seem inevitable that, having refused mercy, they must face justice” (p. 174).