Recompensed Tribulation 2 Thessalonians 1:6

Paul the apostle “gloried in the churches” over the Thessalonian church members because of their “faith and patience” in all the “persecutions and tribulations” they “endured”. This was the “manifest token” or proof of “the righteous judgment of God” that they were “worthy” of “the kingdom of God” for their “suffering”. In chapter one and verse six of Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians, he declared it to be a “righteous thing with God” for those who “troubled” them to endure “recompensed tribulation” where we read:

Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

The verse begins, “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God...” Paul began with the word, “Seeing” which means “indeed, since and after all” “it is a righteous thing” which is all one Greek word “dikaios” and means “observing divine laws, virtuous and approved and acceptable” “with God” or “with the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. That which Paul is about to declare is an “approved, acceptable, virtuous and righteous thing” with God Almighty.

The verse goes on to say, “...to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;” Paul added, “to recompense” which means “repay, requite, penalize and take vengeance” “tribulation” or “pressure, oppression, affliction, distress and straits” “to them that trouble” which is one Greek word “thlibō” and means “press hard upon, compress, trouble, afflict and distress” “you” which refers to the Thessalonian church members. Paul declared it a “righteous thing” for God to reward those who “oppressed” the Thessalonians with “persecutions and afflictions”.

When we think about Paul's words, we realize that “vengeance” belongs to the Lord. God was not aloof and uncaring when the Thessalonian church members were being afflicted for their faith in Jesus. He would “repay” them for their injustices. It is interesting that Paul declared this to be “a righteous thing with God” as though he needed to reassure the Thessalonians they would not be forgotten in their troubles. Sometimes we may wonder why certain people “get away” with persecution and distresses upon other people, and when this occurs, we must remember, God is “Seeing”, and He will “recompense” to them the same “tribulation” they have given to others.

Next time Paul tells the troubled Thessalonians to “rest with” he and his companions, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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