A Testimony Of Love

II Thessalonians 1:1-10

Like most of his writings, Paul starts II Thessalonians by introducing himself and his companions. He then names the primary recipients, in this case the church of Thessalonians. This was a church that Paul and Silas had started on Paul’s second missionary journey, as described in Acts 17. Since the word translated church, “ecclesia”, means assembly, the book is addressed to the assembly of Thessalonians who are in God, and in Christ, the Thessalonian Christians who meet together.

“Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (II Thessalonians 1:1-2)

Grace is undeserved favor, a gift. He is hoping they will experience both grace or blessings and peace from God. Grace is most often used in referring to spiritual or emotional blessings, rather than material things, He goes on to describe himself as giving thanks for them because of what they see happening among the Christians. They are growing close to each other, concerned about each other to the point of physically sharing what they have to make sure each one has what they need. Like the Church in Jerusalem as described in Acts 2:45-47, and Acts 4:32.

That love of other Christians is the evidence that people are Christians according to John 13:34-35. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Love is a product of the Holy Spirit’s action in the Christian’s life, and some exhibit little. Paul rebuked the Corinthian church because of their lack of love in I Corinthians 3:3. “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” Unlike the Thessalonians, they were not demonstrating evidence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:” (II Thessalonians 1:3-4)

The growth of the Thessalonians faith and love was demonstrated in the way they continued to love and obey even in persecution and trouble. Paul and his companions could rejoice and share their example in the other churches as a result. It was evidence that they actually had been saved and perfected forever as Hebrews 10:14 tells us. “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”

“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: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;” (II Thessalonians 1:5-6)

It is right that God would punish those who mistreat those who are doing right. The faithfulness of the Thessalonians indicates they deserve his protection and blessings. They can depend on his acting on their behalf to do so when Christ comes as the reigning king.

“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 2th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 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.” (II Thessalonians 1:7-10)

The judgment will be tremendous for those who refuse to receive Christ. It is described as a fire where the worm dieth not, literally the person remains at the point of death, but doesn’t die, and it is eternal. Perhaps the best example is of a person who has been so severely burned that they cannot be saved, but doesn’t die immediately, begging to die to end the pain. It is a sickening picture.

His supporters, on the other hand will be rejoicing, because they believed and accepted him, escaping the sorrow and suffering.