1: Paul
and Silvanus and Timotheus to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father
and Lord Jesus Christ 2: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and
Lord Jesus Christ[1]
3: We are bound to thank God always for you brethren as it is deserving
because that your faith grows exceedingly and the love of every one of you all
toward each other abounds 4: So that we ourselves boast in you in [we
brag on you to] the Churches of God for your perseverance and faith in
all your persecutions and tribulations which you endure 5: Which is evidence
of the righteous judgment of God that you [are] accounted worthy of the Kingdom
of God for which you indeed suffer[2] 6:
Since it is [also] a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them
that trouble you 7: And to you who are troubled rest with us when the
Lord Jesus shall be revealed in the heavens with his mighty angels 8: In
flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 9: Who shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his
power[3] 10:
When he shall come to be glorified in his saints and to be admired in all them
that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day 11:
Wherefore also we pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of
this calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of
faith with power 12: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be
glorified in you and you in him according to the grace of our God and the Lord
Jesus Christ
[1] “…from God our father and the
Lord Jesus Christ…” In verses one and two, the word, “the,” has been
supplemented twice. The New Testament is rife with this type of Translator
Supplement (TS), which was done to in an attempt at human understanding of,
separation of, and introducing hierarchy into, the Godhead. Punctuation (the
biblical languages do not have punctuation) achieves the same purpose in the
formation of English-Translation-Theology (ETT). Since God is our father and
Jesus Christ is the Lord, why should
this matter? Because it matters. Without TS or punctuation, the verses read,
“…from God our father and Lord Jesus Christ. With punctuation, there are a
couple of options (as follows): “…from God, our father and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
“”…from God our father and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Since the fullness of the Godhead resides in Jesus in physical form—Jesus
is God—both of the above phrases [with the punctuation's] would be correct.
Adding the TS “the,” shifts the focus just enough to add a hierarchal flavor to
the Eternal Godhead, which it does not possess. For this reason, the Hungry
Hearts Bible Commentary removes as many TS’s as possible, along with almost all
completely subjective [and optional] punctuation.
[2] 2 Thessalonians 1:5 is an example of
English-Translation-Theology (ETT). In this case, the translation assumes an
interpretation which is at odds with the message of the cross as a whole and the
righteousness which is already possessed by those who belong to Christ I
John 5:11-13. In virtually every translation of this verse, translator
supplements (TS’s) are added, which make it appear as if Christians must be
tested after they are saved in order to be counted worthy of the Kingdom of
God, when in reality, the text says no such thing. Requirements for salvation
and Bible prophecy positions on the timing of the resurrection and the harpazo rapture, are
significantly influenced by TS’s which lead to ETT. Fortunately, today, we have
unparalleled resources for study of the Hebrew and Greek texts that under-gird
our Bibles, more than at any other time in history. It was foretold that
knowledge will increase in the latter days, and no one will argue that it has.
So also, to the lay person, has access to knowledge [along with resources to
understand the Word of God] increased.
[3] This is the scriptural definition of
death. Jesus alluded to this when he spoke of those physically alive as being
dead (“Let the “dead” bury their dead” Luke 9:60)...
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