2 Thessalonians 1:11
What does 2 Thessalonians 1:11 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Thessalonians 1:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Thessalonians 1:11 means
Because of this future hope, Paul says he and his companions continually pray that God would count the Thessalonians worthy of their calling, and that He would fulfill every desire for goodness and every work of faith with power. The Christian life is not self-powered moral effort; it is God’s work in believers, shaping their wills and energizing their deeds. “Calling” refers to God’s effective summons into His kingdom; to be “counted worthy” is to have one’s life correspond to that call. Paul prays for both inward aspirations and outward actions, asking that God’s power make their faith practical and fruitful amid trials.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfil every desire of goodness and every work of faith, with power;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfil every desire of goodness and every work of faith, with power;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this reason, you are ever in our prayers, that you may seem to our God such as may have a part in his purpose and that by his power he will make all his good purpose, and the work of faith, complete;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for which also we do pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of the calling, and may fulfil all the good pleasure of goodness, and the work of the faith in power,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Wherefore also we pray always for you: That our God would make you worthy of his vocation and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of faith in power:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890To which end we also pray always for you, that ourGod may count you worthy of the calling, and fulfil all [the] good pleasure of [his] goodness and [the] work of faith with power,
Context
Following the vision of Christ’s glorification in His people (verse 10), Paul applies it pastorally through prayer. Verse 11 bridges eschatology and ethics: the coming day motivates present holiness. The final verse (12) will state the ultimate purpose of this prayer—that the name of the Lord Jesus be glorified in them, and they in Him, all by grace. Thus the prayer both comforts and commissions the church as it faces persecution and confusion.
v.10when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day.
v.11This passage
v.12that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 138:8
Jehovah will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, endureth for ever; Forsake not the works of thine own hands.
- Revelation 5:10
and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth.
- Zechariah 4:7
Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain; and he shall bring forth the top stone with shoutings of Grace, grace, unto it.
- Titus 3:4
But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared,
- Hosea 6:3
And let us know, let us follow on to know Jehovah: his going forth is sure as the morning; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth.
- Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
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