2 Thessalonians 2:16
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
Original Language Analysis
Αὐτὸς
himself
G846
Αὐτὸς
himself
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
1 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
Lord
G2962
κύριος
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
4 of 25
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
6 of 25
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
10 of 25
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πατὴρ
Father
G3962
πατὴρ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
12 of 25
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δοὺς
hath given
G1325
δοὺς
hath given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
18 of 25
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αἰωνίαν
us everlasting
G166
αἰωνίαν
us everlasting
Strong's:
G166
Word #:
20 of 25
perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.1 Thessalonians 3:11Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.Titus 1:2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;Revelation 1:5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,Acts 15:11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.Acts 18:27And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:Colossians 1:23If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;Ephesians 5:2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.Ephesians 5:25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;Romans 4:16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Historical Context
Persecuted Thessalonians needed supernatural comfort human sympathy couldn't provide. Paul directs them to God's unfailing love demonstrated at the cross. Eternal consolation doesn't depend on circumstances changing but on God's unchanging character.
Questions for Reflection
- How does 'everlasting consolation' differ from temporary emotional relief?
- What 'good hope' do you cling to when circumstances seem hopeless?
- How does remembering God's past love (Calvary) sustain you through present trials?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace—Paul shifts from command to prayer. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father (single subject with compound description) emphasizes the unity of Father and Son as source of blessing.
Which hath loved us (agapēsas hēmas, ἀγαπήσας ἡμᾶς, aorist tense—decisive past love, Calvary) results in everlasting consolation (paraklēsin aiōnion, παράκλησιν αἰώνιον, eternal comfort) and good hope (elpida agathēn, ἐλπίδα ἀγαθήν). Through grace (en chariti, ἐν χάριτι)—unmerited favor, not earned comfort. Past love guarantees eternal encouragement and confident expectation.