Free Bible Commentary
“2 Thessalonians 1:6-10”
Categories: 2 Thessalonians“For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed.”
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“It is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you” (verse 6). Righteous vengeance is not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just not ours to pursue. Vengeance is the Lord’s work. “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:9-21)
We should not only avoid taking our own revenge, God wants us to actually go out of our way to be kind to those who treat us poorly. The hope is that they will feel the pain of shame and humiliation for their evil deeds, and repent and turn to the Lord before it is eternally too late for them. But, eventually it will be too late. “When the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,” He will “deal out retribution” to the ungodly abusers and oppressors (verses 7-8).
But please don’t miss the scope of the people who will suffer the “penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power” (verse 9). Eternal punishment awaits all those “who do not know God and…who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (verse 8). Every person who has not taken the time to know God and learn His will and obey His commands will be lost for eternity!
Have you obeyed the initial Gospel commands associated with salvation? Have you repented of your sins and confessed your faith in Christ Jesus and been baptized in order to have your sins forgiven? If you have not, when you die or when Jesus returns (whichever comes first), it will be too late. If you have obeyed those first commands, are you living your life in faithful service to Him, worshipping Him in spirit and in truth, and trying your best to observe all that the Lord has commanded you (Matthew 28:20)?
Eternity is on the line friend. We don’t like to think or talk about it very much (or at all), but Paul is talking about the choice of heaven and hell in 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. My prayer is that we all will choose eternal life over eternal destruction (verse 9). The choice is ours to make…
You are invited to worship God with us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ – 3741 Taylorsville Road.
9:30 AM Bible classes for all ages. 10:30 PM and 5:00 PM worship services.
Please read 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
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