2 Thessalonians 2:16
What does 2 Thessalonians 2:16 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Thessalonians 2:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Thessalonians 2:16 means
Paul’s prayer names “our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace.” He places the Son alongside the Father as the divine source of help, reflecting the unity and deity of Christ. God’s posture toward His people is love; His gifts are “eternal comfort”—lasting consolation not undone by trials—and “good hope”—confident expectation of Christ’s return—“through grace,” unearned favor. By invoking these realities before asking anything, Paul reminds the church that the God who calls them also sustains them, and that their ultimate solace and hope are grounded in divine generosity, not circumstance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who had love for us and has given us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and our God and Father, who did love us, and did give comfort age-during, and good hope in grace,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Exhort your hearts and confirm you in every good work and word.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and ourGod and Father, who has loved us, and given [us] eternal consolation and good hope by grace,
Context
After commanding steadfastness (v15), Paul turns to intercession. The benediction begins by rehearsing who God is and what He has already given, anchoring the coming petition in past grace. The final verse (v17) will ask for specific results—comforted hearts and established obedience—so that doctrine and life stay joined. The flow ends where it began: with Christ at the center, supplying what He commands.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 7:16
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat:
- John 15:9
Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide ye in my love.
- John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever,
- Romans 11:5
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
- Romans 1:7
to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Romans 8:24
For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth?
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