Page 47 - Pauline Epistles Student Textbook

In v11a, Paul begins by saying with “this in mind.” What is the “this” referring to here? William
Hendriksen argues that it refers to “a view to the realization of the expectations mentioned in verses
5-10, namely, that on the day of judgment you may be counted worthy of entering the kingdom,
that you may then receive rest, that he may at this coming be glorified in you, etc.” Paul continued
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praying for them for two things and he stated two purposes for those two prayers, namely; 1) God
will make them worthy of their calling (v11b), and 2) God should bring to fruition their every desire
for goodness and every deed provoked by faith (v11c). In his first prayer request, Paul suggested the
inability for the believers at Thessalonica to make themselves worthy of their calling. Notice also that
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this is not the prayer for the converts not to fall away. As Paul looked to the future, he prayed that
“during the intervening period they will live in such a way as to ensure this commendation.”
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Wanamaker maintains that “Here the idea of the call has a definite eschatological character . . .Paul
prays that God may consider the Thessalonian Christians worthy of his call. . . his readers’ salvation
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on the day of judgment.” In other words, he prayed for them that at the end of everything, having
run the race, they will deserve the receipt of worthiness from God. Secondly, Paul prayed for them
that every good desire and deed prompted by faith which they longed for should be brought to
fruition. Godly desires are related to the godly deeds of the believers at Thessalonica (2 Thess. 1:3;
cf. 1 Thess. 1:3).

Purposes for their Prayers (2 Thess. 1:12)
In v12a, the purpose of the apostles’ prayer was that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be
glorified in them. Notice here that God and Jesus relate to the coordinate conjunction “and.” This
signifies equality in being and most especially the thought that both our God and our Lord Jesus
Christ are the source of the grace.

9.4. Let’s Practice this Lesson…

1. What key word is used to indicated that the Father and Jesus Christ are ONE GOD?

2. Briefly explain the observable spiritual growth of the believers at Thessalonica that you
have learned from this section (2 Thess. 1:1-12).

3. Briefly explain (with the help of the citation of the verses) what could have been the causes for
the unstoppable and palpable spiritual growth for the believers at Thessalonica (2 Thess. 1:10).

79 William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Thessalonians, the Pastorals, and Hebrews: New
Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1955), 162.

80 Morris, 1 & 2 Thessalonians: The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, 123.

81 Ibid.
82 Wanamaker, The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Epistles to the
Thessalonians, 233.

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