Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Thessalonians 1:5

"[which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God; to the end that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:" — 2 Thessalonians 1:5 (ASV)

(5a) Instead of beginning a new paragraph, “all this is evidence that God’s judgment is right” should probably be read with the end of v.4. The subject of Paul’s boasting—i.e., their perseverance and faithfulness—is proof positive of God’s righteous judgment. That he gives strength enough to face all the persecutions and trials victoriously shows that his “judgment is right.” Withstanding present pressures demonstrates the rightness of God’s future judgment. The phrase about righteous judgment here sets the tone for 1:5b–10, which describes what is to come.

(5b) Future reckoning assures a future recognition of the worthiness of those suffering for the sake of the kingdom of God. This recognition will not be selfearned but is graciously imparted by God as a result of their decision to believe in the Lord Jesus (1:3, 10; 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:8), who himself earned the believer’s forgiveness of sins and eternal life by dying a sacrificial death (1 Thessalonians 5:10). The worthiness of the Thessalonian believers had already been established before persecutions came. Their firm stand in the face of persecutions (v.4) confirmed their relationship to God and was a pledge that their worthiness will be openly declared by God.

The Greek of v.5b has the word “also”: “for which you also [untranslated in NIV] are suffering.” That is, believers in Thessalonica were not the only ones suffering this kind of treatment; there were others, such as Paul, Silas, and Timothy (cf. Acts 17:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Thessalonians 3:2). With opposition behind them, all who are Christ’s at his parousia (see comment on 1 Thessalonians 2:19) will be welcomed into the messianic kingdom on the ground of their God-given worthiness.