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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - 2 Thessalonians 1:11 - 1:11
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
To which end (eis ho). So Col 1:29. Probably purpose with reference to the contents of 2Th 1:5-10. We have had the Thanksgiving (2Th 1:3-10) in a long, complicated, but rich period or sentence. Now he makes a brief Prayer (2Th 1:11-12) that God will fulfil all their hopes and endeavours. Paul and his colleagues can still pray for them though no longer with them (Moffatt).
That (hina). Common after proseuchomai (Col 4:3; Eph 1:17; Phi 1:9) when the content of the prayer blends with the purpose (purport and purpose).
Count you worthy (humas axiōsēi). Causative verb (aorist active subjunctive) like kataxioō in 2Th 1:5 with genitive.
Of your calling (tēs klēseōs). Klēsis can apply to the beginning as in 1Co 1:26; Rom 11:29, but it can also apply to the final issue as in Phi 3:14; Heb 3:1. Both ideas may be here. It is God’s calling of the Thessalonians.
And fulfil every desire of goodness (kai plērōsēi pasan eudokian agathōsunēs). “Whom he counts worthy he first makes worthy” (Lillie). Yes, in purpose, but the wonder and the glory of it all is that God begins to count us worthy in Christ before the process is completed in Christ (Rom 8:29.). But God will see it through and so Paul prays to God. Eudokia (cf. Luk 2:14) is more than mere desire, rather good pleasure, God’s purpose of goodness, not in ancient Greek, only in lxx and N.T. Agathōsunē like a dozen other words in ̇sunē occurs only in late Greek. This word occurs only in lxx, N.T., writings based on them. It is made from agathos, good, akin to agamai, to admire. May the Thessalonians find delight in goodness, a worthy and pertinent prayer.
Work of faith (ergon pisteōs). The same phrase in 1Th 1:3. Paul prays for rich fruition of what he had seen in the beginning. Work marked by faith, springs from faith, sustained by faith.
With power (en dunamei). In power. Connect with plērōsēi (fulfil), God’s power (Rom 1:29; Col 1:4) in Christ (1Co 1:24) through the Holy Spirit (1Th 1:5).