2 Thessalonians 1:5
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:
Original Language Analysis
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δικαίας
of the righteous
G1342
δικαίας
of the righteous
Strong's:
G1342
Word #:
3 of 18
equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively)
κρίσεως
judgment
G2920
κρίσεως
judgment
Strong's:
G2920
Word #:
4 of 18
decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice (especially, divine law)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
6 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
εἰς
that
G1519
εἰς
that
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλείας
of the kingdom
G932
βασιλείας
of the kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
14 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
15 of 18
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
ἧς
which
G3739
ἧς
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
16 of 18
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Philippians 1:28And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.Acts 14:22Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.Revelation 19:2For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.Luke 20:35But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:Psalms 99:4The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.2 Thessalonians 1:11Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:2 Timothy 2:12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Historical Context
Jewish theology taught that tribulation preceded Messiah's kingdom (the 'birth pangs of the Messiah'). Paul reframes this: Christians' current suffering is the pathway to kingdom inheritance, not evidence of God's disfavor. Persecution authenticates rather than disqualifies believers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does suffering for righteousness prove the genuineness of your faith?
- What kingdom-oriented goal would you endure persecution to see accomplished?
- How does the promise of being 'counted worthy' differ from earning salvation by works?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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—their perseverance is endeigma (ἔνδειγμα, evidence/proof) of God's righteous judgment (dikaias kriseōs, δικαίας κρίσεως). God deems them worthy (kataxiōthēnai, καταξιωθῆναι, counted worthy) of His kingdom precisely because they suffer for which (hyper, ὑπέρ, on behalf of) that kingdom.
This isn't works-righteousness but evidence of genuine faith. Those who inherit the kingdom prove themselves through costly discipleship. God's judgment is righteous because He vindicates sufferers and punishes persecutors (vv. 6-9). Present suffering guarantees future glory for believers.