5— a plain token of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer — [1:6] since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, [1:7] and to give repose to you who are afflicted, together with us, at the revealing of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his mighty angels, [1:8] in flaming fire, dealing out vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [1:9] These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his strength, [1:10] when he comes to be glorified in his holy ones and to be marveled at in all who have believed — because our testimony to you was believed — on that day. [1:11] To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of the calling and may fulfill every resolve of goodness and work of faith with power, [1:12] so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2TH 1:5-12
Christʼs Coming
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Greco-Roman world, justice was often understood through the lens of retribution and reciprocity, particularly in contexts of oppression and suffering. The Thessalonian community, likely composed of both Jews and Gentiles, faced social and economic pressure for their allegiance to Jesus, disrupting traditional patronage networks and synagogue affiliations. The term (clear proof) would resonate with their expectation of divine justice, a common theme in Jewish apocalyptic literature. The (affliction) they endured mirrored the systemic pressures of Roman imperial control and local hostility toward their countercultural faith. The promise of (relief) contrasted sharply with their current distress, offering hope of divine vindication. The (vengeance) described aligns with Jewish eschatological expectations of God’s intervention against oppressors, particularly those who reject His authority. The imagery of Christ’s return with angels and flaming fire draws on Jewish apocalyptic motifs, emphasizing divine sovereignty and the ultimate restoration of justice.
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How other translations render this
2TH 1:5
- KJV
- Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
- BSB
- All this is clear evidence of Godʼs righteous judgment. And so you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.
- Koinōnos
- — a plain token of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer —
2TH 1:6
- KJV
- Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
- BSB
- After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
- Koinōnos
- since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
2TH 1:7
- KJV
- And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
- BSB
- and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels
- Koinōnos
- and to give repose to you who are afflicted, together with us, at the revealing of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his mighty angels,
2TH 1:8
- KJV
- In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
- BSB
- in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
- Koinōnos
- in flaming fire, dealing out vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
2TH 1:9
- KJV
- Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
- BSB
- They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,
- Koinōnos
- These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his strength,
2TH 1:10
- KJV
- When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
- BSB
- on the day He comes to be glorified in His saints and regarded with wonder by all who have believed, including you who have believed our testimony.
- Koinōnos
- when he comes to be glorified in his holy ones and to be marveled at in all who have believed — because our testimony to you was believed — on that day.
2TH 1:11
- KJV
- Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
- BSB
- To this end, we always pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of His calling, and that He will powerfully fulfill your every good desire and work of faith,
- Koinōnos
- To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of the calling and may fulfill every resolve of goodness and work of faith with power,
2TH 1:12
- KJV
- That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- BSB
- so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Koinōnos
- so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
2TH 1:5
- [This is] a plain token:The word translated 'plain token' refers to a clear sign or piece of evidence that points to something else, often used in legal or formal contexts to prove a point.
2TH 1:6
- with affliction:The term translated 'affliction' literally means being under intense pressure or being crushed, like grapes in a winepress. It suggests a severe, constricting distress.
2TH 1:7
- repose:The word translated 'repose' originally described a loosening or relaxation, like slackening the strings of a musical instrument or releasing tension. It implies a relief from strain.
2TH 1:8
- vengeance:The word translated 'vengeance' carried the sense of obtaining justice or satisfaction, often in a legal or formal way, rather than merely personal retaliation.