2 Thessalonians – Chapter 1

New Testament12 Verses

1Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians. In God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

2Grace unto you: and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3We are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith groweth exceedingly and the charity of every one of you towards each other aboundeth.

4So that we ourselves also glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience and faith, and in all your persecutions and tribulations: which you endure

5For an example of the just judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which also you suffer.

6Seeing it is a just thing with God to repay tribulation to them that trouble you:

7And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with the angels of his power:

8In a flame of fire, giving vengeance to them who know not God and who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9Who shall suffer eternal punishment in destruction, from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his power:

10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints and to be made wonderful in all them who have believed; because our testimony was believed upon you in that day.

11Wherefore also we pray always for you: That our God would make you worthy of his vocation and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of faith in power:

12That the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents 2 Thessalonians Chapter 1 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Thomas Aquinas and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. Catholic eschatology draws on this letter (CIC 673-677). The passage calls believers to grasp that Stand firm and hold to the traditions.

May your reading of 2 Thessalonians Chapter 1 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how Stand firm and hold to the traditions applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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