2 Thessalonians 1

2 Thessalonians · Chapter 1

2 Thessalonians 1:5

1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:2Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;4So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:5Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:6Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense 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 his mighty angels,8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.11Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:12That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
5Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:All this is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment. And so you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.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:

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

Their patient endurance is a clear sign that God's judgment is righteous. God is counting them worthy of his kingdom, for which they are suffering. Their suffering does not mean God has forgotten them. 2 Thessalonians 1:42 Thessalonians 1:5

SpeakingPaul, writing with Silvanus and Timotheus. Paul signs the letter in his own hand (3:17). 2 Thessalonians overview

ToThe church of the Thessalonians, believers in Thessalonica whom Paul had taught in person. 2 Thessalonians overview

Also involvedThe suffering believers in Thessalonica. 2 Thessalonians 1:52 Thessalonians overview

Paul starts to explain the meaning of their suffering. Verses 6-10 show how God will set things right. 2 Thessalonians 1:52 Thessalonians 1:62 Thessalonians 1:7

The letter went to Thessalonica, a city of Macedonia in northern Greece. The letter does not say where it was written; the traditional view is Corinth. 2 Thessalonians overview

The eventsThe verse gives no date of its own. It speaks to the church's situation when the letter arrived. 2 Thessalonians overview

WrittenTraditional: about AD 50-51, from Corinth, a few months after 1 Thessalonians. Scholarly: some hold a follower wrote it in Paul's name later in the first century; many others accept that Paul wrote it soon after 1 Thessalonians. 2 Thessalonians overview

HerePaul helps the church see its trials in light of God's justice and his kingdom. 2 Thessalonians 1:52 Thessalonians overview

In the whole of ScripturePaul and Barnabas taught "that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). Believers' steadfastness is "to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation" (Philippians 1:28). "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him" (2 Timothy 2:12). Acts 14:22Philippians 1:282 Timothy 2:12

For readersSuffering for God's kingdom is not a sign that God has abandoned his people. He is just and will count them worthy. 2 Thessalonians 1:5Acts 14:22

  • manifest tokenἔνδειγμα
    Greek · endeigma · G1730

    The word means evidence, a plain sign. The lexicon lists this verse as its only New Testament use. Strong's G1730

  • righteousδίκαιος
    Greek · dikaios · G1342

    The word means just, righteous. Strong's G1342

  • judgmentκρίσις
    Greek · krisis · G2920

    The word means judgment, a decision. Strong's G2920

  • counted worthyκαταξιόω
    Greek · kataxioō · G2661

    The word means to count or consider worthy. The lexicon lists Luke 20:35 and Acts 5:41 as its other uses. Strong's G2661

Takeaway

The believers' patient suffering is a sign of God's righteous judgment, which counts them worthy of his kingdom. 2 Thessalonians 1:5Acts 14:22

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
[This is] a plain tokenἔνδειγμαendeigmaG1730
evidence

ἔνδειγμα (endeigma) ἔν-δειγμα, -τος (ἐνδείκνυμι), a plain token, proof: 2Th.1:5 (cf. ἔνδειξις, which refers rather to the "act of proving"; ἔ., with the passive formation, to the thing proved, see Lft., Notes, 100; M, Th., l.with).† SYN.: τεκμήριον (AS)

righteousδικαίαςdikaiasG1342
just

δίκαιος (dikaios) δίκαιος, -α, -ον (δίκη), [in LXX chiefly for צַדִּיק (for rendering of צַדִּיק in sense of correct, see Deiss., BS, 115 f.); sometimes for נָקִי as Pro.1:11, al. ;] in early Gk. writers (a) of persons, observant of δίκη, custom, rule, right, righteous in performing duties to gods and men ; (b) of things, righteous, in accordance with right. In NT 1. righteous, chiefly in the broad sense, as above, of the person or thing corresponding to the Divine standard of right …

judgmentκρίσεωςkriseōsG2920
judgment

κρίσις (krisis) κρίσις, -εως, ἡ (κρίνω), [in LXX chiefly for מִשְׁפָּט, also for רִיב, etc. ;] 1. a seperating, selection (Arist., al.) 2. a decision, judgment (cl.): Jhn.8:16, 1Ti.5:24, 2Pe.2:11, Ju 9; κ. κρίνειν, Jhn.7:24; in forensic sense, Act.8:33 (LXX) (see Page, in l); esp. of the Divine judgment, Jhn.3:19 5:24, 27 5:29-30 12:31 16:8, 11, 2Th.1:5, Heb.10:27, Jas.2:13 5:12, 2Pe.2:4, Rev.18:10; pl., Rev.16:7 19:2; of the last judgment, Mat.10:15 11:22, 24 12:36, 41-42 Luk.10:14 11:31-32, Heb.9:27, 2Pe.2:9 3:7, 1Jn.4:17, Ju 6 15; τῆς γεέννης, Mat.23:33. …

of GodθεοῦtheouG2316
God

θεός (theos) θεός, -οῦ, ὁ, ἡ (Act.19:37 only; see M, Pr., 60, 244), late voc., θεέ (Mat.27:46; cf. Deu.3:24, al.), [in LXX chiefly for אֱלֹהִים, also for אֵל and other cognate forms, יהוה, etc. ;] a god or deity, God. 1. In polytheistic sense, a god or deity: Act.28:6, 1Co.8:4, 2Th.2:4, al.; pl., Ac. 14:11 19:26, Gal.4:8, al. 2. Of the one true God; …

untoεἰςeisG1519
toward

εἰς (eis) εἰς, prep. with accusative, expressing entrance, direction, limit, into, unto, to, upon, towards, for, among (Lat. in, with accusative). I. Of place. 1. After verbs of motion; (a) of entrance into: Mat.8:23, 9:7, Mrk.1:45, Luk.2:15, 8:31, al.; (b) of approach, to or towards: Mrk.11:1, Luk.6:8, 19:28, Jhn.11:31, 21:6, al.; (with) before pl. and collective nouns, among: Mrk.4:7, 8:19, 20, Luk.11:49, Jhn.21:23, al.; …

to be accounted worthyκαταξιωθῆναιkataxiōthēnaiG2661
to consider worthy

καταξιόω (kataxioō) κατ-αξιόω, -ῶ [in LXX: 2Ma.13:12, 3Ma.3:21 3Mac 4:11, 4Ma.18:3 * ;] to deem worthy: with accusative of person(s) and genitive of thing(s), 2Th.1:5; pass. before inf., Luk.20:35, Act.5:41.† (AS)

youὑμᾶςhumasG4771
you

σέ (se) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

kingdomβασιλείαςbasileiasG0932
kingdom

βασιλεία (basileia) βασιλεία, -ας, ἡ (βασιλεύω), [in LXX chiefly for מַמְלָכָה ,מַלְכוּת ;] 1. prop. abstract, sovereignty, royal power, dominion: Luk.1:33 22:29, Jhn.18:36, Act.1:6, Heb.1:8, 1Co.15:24; λαβεῖν β., Luk.19:12, 15 Rev.17:12; δοῦναι τὴν, ib. 17; ἔχειν β., ib. 18; ἔρχεσθαι ἐν τ. (εἰς τὴν) β., Mat.16:28, Luk.23:42; β. τ. θεοῦ, Rev.12:10. 2. By meton., concrete (MM, Exp., x), (a) a kingdom, the territory or people over whom the king rules (Est.5:3, al.): Mat.4:8 12:25, 26 24:7, Mrk.3:24 6:23, Luk.4:5, Heb.11:33, al.; …

of GodθεοῦtheouG2316
God

θεός (theos) θεός, -οῦ, ὁ, ἡ (Act.19:37 only; see M, Pr., 60, 244), late voc., θεέ (Mat.27:46; cf. Deu.3:24, al.), [in LXX chiefly for אֱלֹהִים, also for אֵל and other cognate forms, יהוה, etc. ;] a god or deity, God. 1. In polytheistic sense, a god or deity: Act.28:6, 1Co.8:4, 2Th.2:4, al.; pl., Ac. 14:11 19:26, Gal.4:8, al. 2. Of the one true God; …

forὑπὲρhuperG5228
above/for

ὑπέρ (huper) ὑπέρ (when following subst.—poët.—ὕπερ; so as adv., 2Co.11:23), prep. with genitive, accusative I. C. genitive, primarily of place (rest or motion), over, above, across, beyond, hence, metaphorically, 1. for, on behalf of: of prayer, Mat.5:44, Act.8:24, Rom.10:1, Jas.5:16, al.; of laying down life, Jhn.10:11, Rom.9:3, al.; esp. of Christ giving his life for man's redemption, Mrk.14:24, Jhn.10:15, Act.21:13, Rom.5:6-8, al.; opposite to κατά, Mrk.9:40, Luk.9:50, Rom.8:31. …

whichἧςhēsG3739
which

ὅς (hos, hē) ὅς, ἥ, ὅ, the postpositive article (ἄρθρον ὑποτακτικόν). I. As demonstr. pron. = οὗτος, ὅδε, this, that, also for αὐτός, chiefly in nom.: ὅς δέ, but he (cf. ἦ δὲ ὅς, frequently in Plat.), Mrk.15:23, Jhn.5:11; ὃς μὲν . . . ὃς δέ, the one . . . the other, Mat.21:35, 22:5, 25:15, Luk.23:33, Act.27:14, Rom.14:5, 1Co.11:21, 2Co.2:18, Ju 22; neut., ὃ μὲν . . . ὃ δέ, the one . . . the other, some . . . some, Mat.13:8, 23, Rom.9:21; ὃς (ὃ) μὲν . . . (ἄλλος (ἄλλο)) . . . ἕτερος, Mrk.4:4, Luk.8:5, 1Co.12:8-10; οὓς μέν, absol., 1Co.12:28; ὃς μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, Rom.14:2. …

alsoκαὶkaiG2532
and

καί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. …

you suffer;πάσχετε·pascheteG3958
to suffer

πάσχω (paschō) πάσχω [in LXX: Amo.6:6 (חָלָה ni.), Wis.12:27, Sir.38:16, al. ;] to suffer, be acted on, as opposite to acting, often limited by a word expressive of good or evil; (a) of misfortunes (most frequently without any limiting word) : absol., Luk.22:15 24:46, Act.1:3 3:18 17:3, 1Co.12:26, Heb.2:18 9:26 13:12, 1Pe.2:19-20 2:23 3:17 4:15 4:19; before ὑπό, with genitive, Mat.17:12; ὑπέρ, Act.9:16, Php.1:20, 2Th.1:5, 1Pe.2:21; with dative ref., 1Pe.4:1; περί, with genitive (before ὑπέρ), 1Pe.3:18; διά, with accusative, 1Pe.3:14; ὀλίγον (a little while), 1Pe.5:10; with accusative, Mat.27:19, Mrk.9:12, …

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.