8 …”in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus,” (2 Thessalonians 1:8 ESV)
Today’s text continues the apostle Paul’s thoughts to the Thessalonian believers. It builds upon the foundation of the previous context of 2 Thess. 1:1-7. Review of these previous verses, and the corresponding commentary, would be beneficial.
Paul addressed the existence of evil. He acknowledged the Thessalonian believers had experienced suffering because of their “work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thess. 1:3; 2 Thess. 1:3). Apparently, some of their suffering was intense enough for the apostle to mention. This fulfills what Jesus told His disciples during the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-16).
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.” (John 15:18–25 (ESV)
“Hebrews 5:8 says that Jesus “learned obedience” in His sufferings. As a man, our Lord experienced what it means to follow the will of God and bring His human will in line with the divine will. He did all this without committing sin, without desiring sin, and without desiring anything that would be contrary to what He knew God wanted. He did this for our sake, and as we seek Him, He will enable us to exercise our wills in line with the will of God,” explains Dr. R.C. Sproul.
Paul described the judgment of God as coming “in flaming fire” (φλογὶ πυρός; phlogi pryos). This is metaphorically referring to divine judgment. In this context, fire represents God’s divine wrath of “inflicting vengeance.” Inflicting (διδόντος; didontos) is a present, active, singular, genitive participle. This means God’s act of inflicting vengeance (ἐκδίκησιν; ekdikesin), referring to retribution and punishment, is a present, active act of and by God alone. God’s vengeance originates and is sourced in Him alone.
“Fire is a symbol of judgment (cf. Ex. 3:2; 19:16–20; Deut. 5:4; Ps. 104:4; Isa. 66:15–16; Matt. 3:11–12; Rev. 19:12),” explains Dr. John MacArthur. “Inflicting vengeance literally means ‘to give full punishment’ (cf. Deut. 32:35; Isa. 59:17; 66:15; Ezek. 25:14; Rom. 12:19).”
The Lord’s vengeance will be “on those who do not know God.” Even though Scripture indicates all creation is aware of God’s existence (Psalm 19:1; Rom. 1:18-23), Paul referred to those who are not in a covenant relationship with the Lord. These are they who are not justified, redeemed and reconciled by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.
“Those who do not know God. (Cf. 1 Thess. 4:5), speaks to the lack of a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ (cf. John 17:3; Gal. 4:8; Eph. 2:12; 4:17–18; Titus 1:16). Retribution is not dealt out because of persecuting Christians, but rather because they did not obey God’s command to believe (cf. Acts 17:30–31; Rom. 1:5; 10:16; 15:18; 16:19) and call upon the name of the Lord to be saved from their sin (Rom. 10:9–13; 1 Cor. 16:22; Heb. 10:26–31). Salvation is never obtained by works but always by placing one’s faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8–10),” concludes Dr. MacArthur.
How is justification, redemption and reconciliation with God proven? It is by the believer’s good works resulting from a covenant relationship with God. The apostle identified them as those “who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” Obedience to the Word of God evidences faith in God. Take note of the following cross references (Matt. 7:21-23; Eph, 2:10; James 2:14-26; I John 1:5-7; 2:1-6, 29; 3:4-10. 24; 5:1-5, 18).
Believers in Christ are God’s workmanship, saved for good works (Eph. 2:10). May good works for God be seen by others and in us.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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