2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
The persecutions of which the Thessalonians were the victims had increased their faith, had caused their love to abound and their patience to be manifested. So what were they lacking and why does the apostle consider it necessary to address this second epistle to them? This time hope is not mentioned, nor the joy of the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:6). Paul puts before them suitable truths to arouse these feelings in their hearts. The triumph of the persecutors and their own sufferings are only for a time. "The LORD God of recompenses shall surely requite" (Jeremiah 51:56). This recompense, of the faithful as well as the wicked, will take place on the day of the Lord. It is linked with His glorious manifestation. The same punishment, "everlasting destruction", awaits those pagans who have remained deliberately ignorant of God as well as those who are Christians only in name and who "obey not the gospel" (v. 8). At the same time the saints, "all them that believe", will be seen in the Lord’s company associated with His wonderful glory (v. 10; Matthew 13:43). But the good pleasure of God and the prayer of the apostle is that even now the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified in each of those who belong to Him.