THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS
In this Epistle St. Paul admonishes the Thessalonians to be constant in the faith of Christ and not to be terrified by the insinuations of false teachers telling them that the day of judgment was near at hand, as there must come many signs and wonders before it. He bids them to hold firm the traditions received from him, whether by word, or by epistle, and shews them how they may be certain of his letters by the manner he writes.
2 Thessalonians Chapter 1
He gives thanks to God for their faith and constancy and prays for their advancement in all good.
1:1. Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians. In God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
1:2. Grace unto you: and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:3. We are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith groweth exceedingly and the charity of every one of you towards each other aboundeth.
1:4. So that we ourselves also glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience and faith, and in all your persecutions and tribulations: which you endure
1:5. For an example of the just judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which also you suffer.
1:6. Seeing it is a just thing with God to repay tribulation to them that trouble you: