2 Thessalonians 1:7

What does 2 Thessalonians 1:7 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Thessalonians 1:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Thessalonians 1:7 means

To the afflicted, God promises “rest with us” when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with the angels of His power in flaming fire. Relief will come, but at the appointed time: the unveiling of Jesus, not merely a change in earthly circumstances. The phrase “with us” includes Paul and his team, uniting apostle and church in the same hope. The imagery of angels and fire communicates majesty and judgment. The One now believed but unseen will be made manifest, and His arrival will bring both comfort to His people and the execution of justice. This lifts their eyes beyond present pressures to the sure hope of Christ’s return.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus comes from heaven with the angels of his power in flames of fire,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and to you who are troubled--rest with us in the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with messengers of his power,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with the angels of his power:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and to you that are troubled repose with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with [the] angels of his power,

Context

Verse 7 completes the twofold promise begun in verse 6: retribution to persecutors, rest to the persecuted. It introduces the climactic event—the revelation of the Lord Jesus—that explains when and how justice comes. The next verses (8–9) specify the nature of His vengeance and the punishment of those who do not know God or obey the gospel. Then verse 10 will describe the positive side: Jesus being glorified in His saints and marveled at among believers.

v.6if so be that it is a righteous thing with God to recompense affliction to them that afflict you,

v.7This passage

v.8rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 7:14

    And I say unto him, My lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they that come out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

  • Colossians 1:16

    for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him;

  • 2 Timothy 2:12

    if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us:

  • Mark 14:62

    And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.

  • Luke 16:25

    But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted, and thou art in anguish.

  • Matthew 13:39

    and the enemy that sowed them is the devil: and the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are angels.

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