Giving Thanks for Faith and Perseverance

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is only fitting, because your faith is increasing abundantly, and the love of each and every one of you toward one another grows ever greater.

As a result, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.

This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you indeed are suffering.

when He comes to be glorified among His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—because our testimony to you was believed.

so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, in accordance with the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Man of Lawlessness

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,

that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?

And you know what restrains him now, so that he will be revealed in his time.

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is removed.

that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and false signs and wonders,

and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not accept the love of the truth so as to be saved.

For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,

Stand Firm

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

Request for Prayer

Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it was also with you;

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother or sister who leads a disorderly life and not one in accordance with the tradition which you received from us.

nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you;

not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a role model for you, so that you would follow our example.

For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.