2 Thessalonians 1:12, commentary and pictures

It is Paul's constant prayer and hope for the converts won to the gospel in Thessalonica that God would count them worthy of their calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ would be honored through their lives and they honored through Him by grace. It belongs to his second letter, written to correct the mistaken idea that Christ's coming was immediate, including the notion that Paul himself expected to live to witness the advent. It was written with confidence in the believers' integrity and with gratitude that their faith was strong and their love abounded for one another and for their Master's cause, holding them up to other churches as an example of patient, persevering faith that bravely withstands persecution and tribulation. It carries their minds forward to the second coming, when the people of God shall rest from all cares and perplexities at the revelation of the Lord Jesus.

The verse teaches that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is glorified in believers and believers are glorified in Him, according to the grace of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. The same glorifying is taught as Christ glorified in believers and believers in Christ through God's grace, with the Lord's name honored in them by that grace. This happens because God counts believers worthy of their calling and fulfills all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, enabling them by faith's power and fulfilling His good purpose. The empowering of the work of faith is what makes the life reflect Christ's character. The glorifying is God's work in answer to prayer, not the work of human agencies.

The worthy, consistent example and life of converts glorifies God and tells more for His glory than all preaching, even than all the preaching of Paul and his fellow laborers, so that the consistent course of believers in this age magnifies the power of truth more than all the sermons of ministers. The empowered life of faith thus reflects Christ's character and brings lasting benefit to others. The Lord's name is glorified in believers as they serve under God's guidance with kindness and patience and give themselves fully to Him, so that God works through them to bring truth to human hearts.

For those facing unbelief, opposition, persecutions, tribulations and trials, the verse encourages them not to become discouraged but to keep the mind stayed upon the Lord, gird on His armor, rest perplexities with God, and cherish faith that works by love and purifies the soul. For believers enduring persecution, the Lord gives opportunity and strength to overcome, so that their faithfulness brings honor to Christ. For believers facing trials, it guides them to guard their souls from dishonoring the Lord and to grow in faith, hope, discipline, courage, and love for one another.