Paul, Silas, and Timothy encouraged the church in Thessaloniki during persecution. They encourage the saints not to be shaken by those who say that the day of the Lord has begun but to stand firm. They encouraged the brethren to work to earn a living and not live an idle life. Let’s begin.
Persecuted & Joyful
The joyful church in Thessaloniki and across Macedonia was growing in faith even in the midst of persecution. They were an encouragement to other churches. Justice will come when Christ returns. Do we pray for persecuted churches today? Let’s look at 2 Thessalonians 1.
Who were the authors of this letter? Is it the same three as the previous letter to the church of God in Thessaloniki?
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:1-2 WEB)
Was their faith growing? Are faith and faithfulness related?
Brothers and sisters, we must always thank God for you. This is only right because your faithfulness [faith CEV, ESV, HCSB, ISV, KJV, LSB, NASB, NIV, NKJV, NLT, WEB] is growing by leaps and bounds, and the love that all of you have for each other is increasing. (2 Thessalonians 1:3 CEB)
Is this a story worth telling other churches, faith in the midst of troubles? Do Christians in some countries still suffer severe persecution today?
This is why we brag about you to all of God's churches. We tell them how patient you are and how you keep on having faith, even though you are going through a lot of trouble and suffering. (2 Thessalonians 1:4 CEV)
Will God repay those who persecute us? When will He grant us relief?
This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (2 Thessalonians 1:5-8 ESV)
What will be the penalty? When?
These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from His glorious strength in that day when He comes to be glorified by His saints and to be admired by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed. (2 Thessalonians 1:9-10 HCSB)
Did they always pray for these persecuted saints? Do we pray for the persecuted?
With this in mind, we always pray for you, asking that our God might make you worthy of his calling and that through his power he might help you accomplish every good desire and faithful action. (2 Thessalonians 1:11 ISV)
Why did they pray for the persecuted?
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 the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:12 LSB)
This is Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy’s second letter to a joyful yet persecuted church. Their faith was growing even in the midst of persecution. They were an encouragement to other churches. Justice will come when Christ returns. Do we pray for the persecuted in North Korea, Afghanistan and other places across Africa and Asia? You decide!
