2 Thessalonians 1:5 kjv

Which 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:

2 Thessalonians 1:5 nkjv

which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;

2 Thessalonians 1:5 niv

All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

2 Thessalonians 1:5 esv

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering ?

2 Thessalonians 1:5 nlt

And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering.

2 Thessalonians 1 verses

2 Thessalonians 1 5 Meaning

The steadfast endurance and increasing faith of the Thessalonian believers amidst severe persecution serve as clear proof of God's perfectly righteous judgment and divine purpose. Their ongoing suffering for the sake of the Gospel is not meaningless, but is precisely the process through which God is preparing and qualifying them to be found worthy to inherit and fully participate in His eternal Kingdom.

2 Thessalonians 1 5 Context

This verse is situated in the opening chapter of Paul's Second Epistle to the Thessalonians. The believers in Thessalonica were enduring significant persecution and affliction for their faith, which was not diminishing their steadfastness but rather increasing their faith and love (2 Thess 1:3-4). Paul begins by commending their exemplary Christian living in the face of suffering, contrasting their endurance with the actions of their oppressors. Verse 5 acts as a pivotal theological explanation: their trials are not evidence of God's neglect or disfavor, but rather of His righteous administration and the pathway He has ordained for them to reach their glorious destination. Historically, the Thessalonians, a relatively new Christian community, were experiencing pressure from both Jewish antagonists (Acts 17:5-8) and the prevailing Roman imperial cult, which demanded emperor worship. Their refusal led to social and often physical suffering. This verse reassures them that their suffering is purposeful and is intrinsically linked to God's just plan and their ultimate reward in His Kingdom.

2 Thessalonians 1 5 Word analysis

• This is (ὃ, ho): This demonstrative pronoun, serving as the subject, refers back to the qualities mentioned in the preceding verses – the Thessalonians' endurance, faith, and love demonstrated under persecution (2 Thess 1:3-4). Their present reality of steadfast suffering is the object in focus.
• evidence (ἔνδειγμα, endeigma): From endeiknymi, meaning "to show forth," "to demonstrate." It signifies a clear, manifest proof or token, something that unmistakably points to the reality it attests. It is not merely a sign, but a solid demonstration, removing doubt. In this context, the Thessalonians' suffering and endurance are not ambiguous, but visibly validate a divine truth.
• of the righteous judgment (δικαίας κρίσεως, dikaias kriseos):
  • righteous (δικαίας, dikaias): Adjective form of dikaios, meaning just, equitable, in conformity with God's divine standard of right. It describes the very character of God's judgment – it is perfect, fair, and morally correct.
  • judgment (κρίσεως, kriseos): This refers to a divine decision, a verdict, or the act of governing and administering justice. Here, it points to God's ongoing, just administration of events in the world, including His permission of believers' suffering and His future rectification. It implies a moral discernment and the eventual manifestation of justice for all.
• of God (τοῦ Θεοῦ, tou Theou): Explicitly states that this righteous judgment and underlying plan originate from and belong to God. It highlights divine sovereignty and absolute rectitude in all His dealings with humanity.
• that you may be considered worthy (εἰς τὸ καταξιωθῆναι, eis to kataxiōthēnai):
  • that you may be considered worthy (καταξιωθῆναι, kataxiōthēnai): A verb meaning "to deem worthy," "to count worthy," or "to qualify for." This is a passive infinitive, indicating that the worthiness is not achieved through human effort or merit in suffering itself, but rather it is God who deems them worthy through His grace and refining process. The suffering does not earn worthiness but serves as the means by which they are recognized and prepared. It’s God's gracious accounting of them as fit.
• of the kingdom of God (τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ Θεοῦ, tēs basileias tou Theou): This phrase refers to God’s sovereign rule, which is both present (spiritually acknowledged by believers) and future (consummated at Christ’s return). It denotes the sphere of salvation, the community of believers under God's rule, and the eternal inheritance promised to the faithful. Their worthiness is specifically for full participation in this divine realm.
• for which (ὑπὲρ ἧς, hyper hēs): "For the sake of which," "on account of which," or "in behalf of which." This prepositional phrase creates a direct causal link. Their suffering is not random but is directly endured for the Kingdom of God. This validates their commitment to it and demonstrates their genuine citizenship.
• you are also suffering (καὶ πάσχετε, kai paschete): The verb pascho means to suffer, undergo, experience. The present tense indicates their ongoing reality of affliction and persecution. The word "also" (kai) emphasizes that suffering is part and parcel of being considered worthy; it is inextricably linked. Their experience is common among faithful believers who endure for Christ's sake.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God": This powerful statement establishes a divine interpretative framework for their human suffering. The visible perseverance of the persecuted Thessalonians objectively demonstrates the inherent justice and unerring purpose in God's governance. Their very endurance under duress serves as undeniable proof that God is sovereign, His plan is righteous, and He is indeed active in human affairs, even when His ways appear difficult or inscrutable to the human eye. This counters any notion that their suffering implies divine abandonment or injustice.
• "that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering": This phrase illuminates the ultimate divine purpose behind the believers' affliction. Their suffering is shown to be teleological – aimed at a specific end. It is not an arbitrary burden, but a means by which they are purified, refined, and thus gracious qualified by God for their rightful place within His eternal Kingdom. The phrase "for which you are also suffering" highlights their active participation and faithfulness to the Kingdom as the reason for their trials, confirming that their allegiance has costly but glorious consequences.

2 Thessalonians 1 5 Bonus section

• This verse counters the human tendency to question God's justice in the face of suffering. It frames enduring hardship not as a mark against God's care, but as an integral part of His righteous dealings with humanity.
• It implicitly foreshadows the retribution that will come upon the persecutors (as seen in 2 Thess 1:6-10), emphasizing that God's judgment is not only for the salvation of His people but also for the just punishment of those who reject Him and oppress His followers.
• The verse suggests that Christian suffering is not passive fatalism, but an active, patient endurance rooted in faith and hope, knowing God's purposes are at play.
• The connection between present suffering and future worthiness for the Kingdom reinforces the idea that true faith is tested faith. It differentiates genuine believers who will stand firm from those who may fall away under pressure.

2 Thessalonians 1 5 Commentary

2 Thessalonians 1:5 provides profound comfort and theological insight into the experience of Christian suffering. It assures believers that their trials are never meaningless or overlooked by God, but are deeply integrated into His just and righteous plan. The verse highlights a paradox: what often appears to be a sign of weakness or divine disfavor – enduring persecution – is presented as tangible proof of God's perfect justice at work. This means two things: God is justly allowing the suffering for a redemptive purpose, and He will also justly recompense both the afflicted and the afflicters in His due time.

Furthermore, this suffering serves a specific, gracious purpose for the believer: it prepares and qualifies them for the full inheritance of the Kingdom of God. The Greek term kataxiōthēnai emphasizes that it is God who deems or graciously counts them worthy, rather than suffering itself earning their place. The crucible of affliction refines their faith, purifies their character, and proves their allegiance, making them suitable heirs. Thus, their present endurance is directly connected to their future glory. For the persecuted Thessalonians, this was a vital reassurance: their painful experiences were not a sign of failure or divine abandonment, but rather a mark of true citizenship in God's Kingdom and a vital step towards its ultimate realization. It shifts their perspective from simply enduring pain to actively participating in God’s grand design for their eternal destiny.