2 Thessalonians 1:9
What does 2 Thessalonians 1:9 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Thessalonians 1:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Thessalonians 1:9 means
Those who reject God and the gospel will “suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might.” The punishment is both just and ultimate. “Destruction” signifies ruin—loss of the blessed purpose of life—rather than mere cessation of existence. The most fearful part is separation: to be shut out from the presence and radiant power of the Lord. This clarifies that the stakes of the gospel are everlasting. God’s glory, which will be joy to His people, will be terror to His enemies. The verse underscores the gravity of unbelief and the certainty of divine recompense.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Whose reward will be eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his strength,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who shall suffer justice--destruction age-during--from the face of the Lord, and from the glory of his strength,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who shall suffer eternal punishment in destruction, from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his power:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who shall pay the penalty [of] everlasting destruction from [the] presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his might,
Context
Verse 9 continues the description of judgment begun in verse 8, specifying its duration and character. It sets a stark contrast with verse 10, where the same coming of the Lord results in His being glorified in His saints and marveled at among believers. Understanding both aspects—eternal exclusion for the disobedient and eternal joy for the faithful—frames Paul’s subsequent prayer (verses 11–12) that the Thessalonians live lives worthy of their calling.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 10:29
of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
- Isaiah 33:14
The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling hath seized the godless ones: Who among us can dwell with the devouring fire? who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?
- 2 Peter 3:7
but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
- Revelation 14:10
he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
- Matthew 25:46
And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:8
And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming;
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