Verse Lens · Concise explanation
2 Thessalonians 1:4 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 4. 4So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
Shows that persevering faith amid present pressures has become a public encouragement among other churches.
They thank God because faith and love are still growing under fire
This verse is one part of that explanation in 2 Thessalonians 1:3–4. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- 2 Thessalonians 1:3–4
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:3–4 as a complete movement. Verse 3 begins a thanksgiving obligation and names growing faith and mutual love; verse 4 explains why the writers speak proudly of the church's endurance. Verse 5 turns from endurance to its interpretation in relation to God's judgment. The writers thank God because the church's faith is growing, mutual love is increasing, and perseverance continues amid persecutions and afflictions.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The writers move from private thanks to public recognition, making endured pressure the setting for the judgment assurance that follows.
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:3–4 together
Why these verses belong together: Thanksgiving for growing faith and love leads directly to public recognition of endurance amid affliction.
Verse 3. 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
Verse 4. 4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
What Remains True
Endurance under pressure can encourage other communities when it remains joined to faith rather than pain as spectacle.
How It Can Shape Life
- Share another community's faithful endurance only with accuracy, consent, and attention to its safety.
Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:3–4 — Thanksgiving Names Growing Faith, Love, and EnduranceSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: The exact pinned KJV wording and immediate English context for 2 Thessalonians 1:3–4.
Exact location: eBible/CrossWire eng-kjv2006 USFM, source files dated 2026-08-19, 2 Thessalonians 1:3–4; archive and normalized-corpus SHA-256 values are recorded in the library policy.
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: The critically edited Greek wording, connective structure, lexical forms, and variation markers.
Exact location: Official SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/2Thess.txt, 2 Thessalonians 1:3–4.
Open the 2 Thessalonians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — 2 Thessalonians with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005–2026 online edition
Supports: Material translation choices, syntax, and textual variants checked at the cited verses.
Exact location: NET Bible official 2 Thessalonians PDF, chapter 1, translator, study, and textual notes attached to verses 3–4; PDF pp. 1–2.
Open NET 2 Thessalonians 1 ↗modern open commentary
2 Thessalonians
David W. Chapman
The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary, 2023
Supports: A complete modern evangelical commentary check on literary flow, historical setting, theology, and major interpretations.
Exact location: David W. Chapman, The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary, “2 Thessalonians,” Thanksgiving for Their Persevering Faith and Love (1:3–4).
Open source ↗modern annotated new testament
2 Thessalonians introduction and annotations in The Jewish Annotated New Testament
Adam Gregerman; edited by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler
Oxford University Press, 2011
Supports: A modern Jewish-context and historical-critical check on authorship, apocalyptic language, persecution, judgment, ethics, and textual questions.
Exact location: Adam Gregerman, “2 Thessalonians,” in The Jewish Annotated New Testament (2011 first edition), print p. 379.
Open source ↗