Fathers

2 Thessalonians 1

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Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you toward one another abounds, so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your perseverance and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure. This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of God’s Kingdom, for which you also suffer. Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, punishing those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus, who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes in that day to be glorified in his saints and to be admired among all those who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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What the Fathers say

2 Thessalonians 1:3

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"We are bound to give thanks to God alway for you, brethren, even as it is meet." Again a sign of great humility. For he led them to reflect and consider, that if for our good actions others do not admire us first, but God, much more also ought we. And in other respects too he raises up their spirits, because they suffer such things as are not worthy of tears and lamentations, but of thanksgiving to God. But if Paul is thankful for the good of others, what will they suffer, who not only are not thankful, but even pine at it. …

Homily on 2 Thessalonians 2 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

The apostle teaches three things here: if something proves to be upright in us, we must not praise ourselves for it, but thank God, and, ascribing everything to Him, not be puffed up by it; if someone suffers, this is worthy not of weeping and tears, but of thanksgiving to God — and those who suffer must rejoice, not lose heart; one must not envy those who appear to be advancing, but rather rejoice in this and thank God for one's brethren — so that those who are stung by the good they see in others dishonor God Himself. …

Commentary on 2 Thessalonians ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

There could be no merit in men's choice of Christ, if it were not that God's grace precedes any faith or action on their part in his choosing them. This is why the apostle Paul pronounces to the Thessalonians this benediction, "The Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another, and toward all men." This benediction to love one another he gave us, who had also given us a law that we should love one another. …

On Grace and Free Will 1.18.38

Thomas Aquinas

"We are bound to give thanks always to God for you." This is the epistolary narration. And first he instructs them about what is to happen in the last days; second, he warns them in a friendly way about certain things in the third chapter, at "for the rest, brethren" (2 Thess 3:1). And first, he admonishes them regarding the rewards of the good and the punishments of the wicked; second, he admonishes them regarding the dangers of the time of the Antichrist, in chapter two, at "and we beseech you" (2 Thess 2:1). …

Commentary on 2 Thessalonians ↗