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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2Th_2:16-17
16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
2Th_2:16-17 This is a prayer, like 2Th_1:2 and 2Th_3:16.
2Th_2:16 "our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us" In the Greek text there are two subjects but with an intensive singular pronoun, "himself" and two singular aorist participles (loved and given). Also notice that Jesus is mentioned first. This shows the unity and equality of the subjects (cf. 1Th_1:1-2; 1Th_3:11). The Son and the Father have given us eternal comfort and good hope. See hyperlink at 1Th_1:1.
NASB, NRSV "eternal comfort"
NKJV "everlasting consolation"
TEV "eternal courage"
NJB "inexhaustible comfort"
The believers' comfort and hope are based on the grace of God seen and enacted through Christ. Notice the pastoral context of encouragement just like 1Th_4:18. Paul's insights about the Second Coming were not given to fill out our charts and theories, but to energize our daily Christlikeness (cf. 1Co_15:58).
▣ "good hope" This specific form is only used here in the NT. The term "hope " is often used in the NT in the sense of the Second Coming (see hyperlink at Gal_5:5). This is especially true in the Thessalonian letters which focused on this theological subject. "Good hope " only comes by God's grace.
2Th_2:17 Jesus Christ and God the Father have loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by means of Their grace, which is designed to
1. comfort our hearts
2. strengthen our hearts for the purpose of
a. every good work
b. every good word
This is the same term in Greek as "comfort" in 2Th_2:17. These two verses form one sentence in Greek. Notice that believers are encouraged to do and say "good things." We are not saved by doing good things but we are saved for doing and saying good things. Our relationship with Christ must lead to Christlikeness. We were called unto good works (cf. Eph_1:4; Eph_2:10). The goal of every believer is not only heaven when we die but Christlikeness now. These good works and sayings are to help us as believers reach those who do not know our Savior.
▣ "hearts" See Special Topic at Gal_4:6.
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