2 Thessalonians 1

1 Paul [the apostle, originally named Saul], Silvanus [also known as Silas], and Timothy [dear to God], To the church [assembly, community of believers] of the Thessalonians [people from Thessalonica] in God [the supreme deity] our Father [the male parent, creator] and the Lord [master, ruler] Jesus Christ [the anointed one, God’s salvation]: word study 2 Grace [unmerited favor, divine influence] and peace [harmony, prosperity, freedom from war] to you [as individuals, directly addressed] from God [the one true deity] our Father [the male parent, source of love and care] and the Lord [the supreme authority, master] Jesus Christ [the anointed one, God’s salvation]. word study 3 We are obligated [bound, under necessity] to thank [express gratitude, acknowledge God’s goodness] God [the one true deity, Creator] for you all the time [always, at all times], brothers [fellow believers, siblings in Christ], as is fitting [worthy, deserving], because your faith [trust, confidence in God] is growing more and more [increasing, abounding], and your love [unconditional affection, charity] for one another [toward each other, mutually] is increasing [growing, abounding]. word study 4 That is why [as a result, therefore] we boast [take pride, glory] among God’s [of the one true deity] churches [assemblies, congregations] about your perseverance [patient endurance, steadfastness] and faith [trust, confidence] in the face of all [every, each] the persecution [suffering, affliction] and affliction [pressure, tribulation] you are enduring [bearing, suffering]. word study 5 All this [clear proof, a manifest token] is clear evidence [a sign] of God’s [the one true deity] righteous [just, fair] judgment [decision, verdict]. And so you will be counted worthy [deemed entirely deserving] of the kingdom [God’s royal power] of God [the supreme ruler], for which [on behalf of] you are suffering [experiencing pain, enduring hardship]. word study 6 After all, it is only [completely, entirely] right [just, fair] for God [the supreme Judge, Elohim] to repay [give back, recompense] with affliction [tribulation, trouble] those who [the ones, they that] afflict [trouble, oppress] you, word study 7 and to grant relief [rest, freedom from suffering] to you who are oppressed [troubled, afflicted] and to us as well [with us, in our company]. This will take place [happen, occur] when the Lord [Master, Savior] Jesus [God is salvation] is revealed [made known, disclosed] from heaven [the sky, God’s dwelling place] with His mighty [powerful, strong] angels [messengers, heavenly beings] word study 8 in blazing [flaming] fire [a symbol of God’s judgment], inflicting [rendering, giving] vengeance [punishment, revenge] on those who do not know [are ignorant of, have no knowledge of] God [the one true deity] and do not obey [refuse to listen to, disobey] the gospel [good news, message of salvation] of our Lord [master, ruler] Jesus [God is salvation]. word study 9 They will suffer [be punished with, experience the consequence of] the penalty [condemnation, judgment] of eternal [lasting forever, age-during] destruction [ruin, perdition], separated [away from, shut out] from the presence [face, countenance] of the Lord [God, Master] and the glory [honor, praise] of His might [strength, power], word study 10 on the day [when He returns in glory] He comes [to be revealed, to appear] to be glorified [exalted, honored] in His saints [set apart ones, holy believers] and regarded with wonder [marveled at, admired] by all [every single one] who have believed [trusted, put faith in], including you [as part of the believing community] who have believed [trusted, had faith in] our testimony [witness, proclamation of the gospel]. word study 11 To this end [toward this purpose, for this reason], we always [at all times, constantly] pray [petition, worship] for you, that our God [the one true deity, our Father] will count [deem, consider] you worthy [deserving, fit] of His calling [invitation to salvation, divine vocation], and that He will powerfully [with strength, miraculously] fulfill [complete, satisfy] your every [all, each] good [virtuous, kind] desire [pleasure, intention] and work [act, deed] of faith [trust, confidence], word study 12 so that the name [character and authority] of our Lord [Master, God] Jesus [God is salvation] will be glorified [honored, praised] in you, and you in Him, according to the grace [divine influence, favor] of our God [the one true deity] and of the Lord [Master, Savior] Jesus Christ [the anointed Messiah]. word study