2 Thessalonians 1:8
What does 2 Thessalonians 1:8 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Thessalonians 1:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Thessalonians 1:8 means
At His revelation, the Lord Jesus will render vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. This highlights human responsibility: ignorance of God and rejection of the gospel are moral realities, not mere lack of information. The gospel is a summons to faith and obedience; to spurn it is to resist the lordship of Jesus. “Vengeance” here is God’s holy justice, not capricious anger. It assures the church that evil and unbelief will not ultimately prevail. The Judge is the same Jesus they confess as Lord; His verdict will vindicate His name and His people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:
KJV
King James Version · 1611In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949To give punishment to those who have no knowledge of God, and to those who do not give ear to the good news of our Lord Jesus:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862in flaming fire, giving vengeance to those not knowing God, and to those not obeying the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In a flame of fire, giving vengeance to them who know not God and who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who know notGod, and those who do not obey the glad tidings of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Context
Following the promise of rest to the afflicted (verse 7), verse 8 details the other side of the Lord’s coming: judgment upon the unbelieving and disobedient. It prepares for verse 9’s description of the punishment’s nature—eternal destruction away from the presence and glory of the Lord. This sober warning also casts verse 10’s hope in brighter relief: the same day that brings vengeance to rebels brings wonder and glory to those who believed.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 10:27
but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries.
- 1 Peter 1:2
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
- Matthew 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels:
- Revelation 6:16
and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
- Isaiah 1:19
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
- Deuteronomy 5:5
(I stood between Jehovah and you at that time, to show you the word of Jehovah: for ye were afraid because of the fire, and went not up into the mount), saying,
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