Paul begins his letter of 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 with what they need to understand the most: How to overcome suffering for their faith as he gives them three tools to overcome suffering: Praise, Promise, and Prayer.
• Vs. 1-4 Praise: One of satan’s greatest tools to discourage believers is suffering: As such the greatest antidote for this is praise. Because of their suffering, these saints had felt that they were not progressing in their walk but Paul tells them that their standing in God was well known. An easy life makes for a shallow faith, dear ones! Furthermore, their love was abounding in their suffering because it was mixed with grace and faith! Suffering causes us to reach upward to God but it also causes us to reach outward in love.
• Vs. 5-10 Promise: No matter how much these dear saints suffered Paul wanted them to realize that God would never break his promises to them. Paul tells these suffering saints two things about their suffering:
1Vs. 5 TRANSFORMATION: The fact that they had endured the suffering for their faith revealed that they had truly switched kingdoms.The world’s persecution served as proof that they were no longer living in this world and the fact that they were enduring proved that they were now fit for the kingdom of God. Saints, what we value reveals our values and Paul encourages these Christians to value life differently than they did before.
2Vs. 6-10 CONSUMMATION: Their suffering revealed the world’s coming condemnation and their commencement. When the world places someone in the “Hall of Fame” they do it on completely different criteria than God does. When you read through God’s “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews chapter 11 you quickly discover the common denominator was not their earthly achievements but rather their unwavering faith when facing the greatest suffering.
• Vs. 11-12 Prayer: Finally Paul wanted them to realize that prayer is the key to their endurance during their suffering. The word “Therefore” suggests that the purpose of our present suffering ought to have positive present results in our day-to-day lives. Paul’s prayer for these suffering saints was that they stay the course now that they know the purpose of suffering and the outcome to both those who have caused you to suffer and those who have suffered for their faith.