A few months after writing his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul received further news about the church he founded. It was a mixture of good and bad news. Returning to write once more, the concerned apostle began by commending his spiritual children for their steadfastness in the faith, before addressing the disruptive conduct that had arisen among them due to erroneous beliefs regarding the Lord's return.

Paul first deals with the good news. Having lauded them as a model church in his previous letter (see 1 Thessalonians 1:7), the apostle commends them again for their spiritual progress amidst severe persecution (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4). He also assures them that God knows about their suffering and will vindicate them (vv. 5-10). Finally, he challenges them yet again to remain steadfast and strong (vv. 11-12).

The believers in Thessalonica had suffered severely for their faith ever since they believed in Jesus. They continued to suffer after Paul left, as well as during Timothy's later visit. Their faithfulness to God amidst prolonged and heavy persecution was exceptional and praiseworthy. Not only had they persevered, but their faith was ″growing more and more″ (v. 3). Their faith had neither waned nor stagnated, but was flourishing.

It was not just their relationship with God that was growing, but also their mutual relationships within the community of believers. Paul acknowledges their progress, noting that ″the love all of you have for one another is increasing″ (v. 3). One who loves God will also love His people.

The Thessalonian church's radical loyalty and devotion to God prompts Paul to hold her up as a model for the second time: ″We proudly tell God's other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering″ (v. 4, NLT). What a testimony!

How were the Thessalonian believers able to mature spiritually in adversity? Paul singles out the source of their stability and strength: the ″grace and peace . . . from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ″ (v. 2) which nourished their faith even in challenging times.

Grace and peace are both the gifts of the Father that come to believers through the Son and the Spirit. Believers experience Jesus' peace: ″In me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world″ (John 16:33). They also have God's promise of sustaining grace: ″My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness″ (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Paul rejoiced over the Thessalonian church's steadfastness, which was God's answer to his prayers on her behalf. ″We can't help but thank God for you,″ he writes with deep gratitude (2 Thessalonians 1:3, NLT; see also 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13). God's faithfulness enables us to remain faithful, a truth which Paul affirms in 1 Thessalonians 5:24: ″The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.″