2 Thessalonians 1:6
ESV
since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
NIV
God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you
NASB
For after all it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
CSB
since it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you
NLT
In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you.
KJV
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
NKJV
since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,
What does 2 Thessalonians 1:6 mean?
In this verse Paul tells the Thessalonians that God is just. In His good time He will recompense every wrong. Those who afflicted the Thessalonians had nothing to look forward to but divine retribution.Justice is an outgrowth of God's righteous and holy character. He would be neither righteous nor holy if He let sinners off scot-free. Hebrews 10:31 says, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." A holy God demands a penalty for sin, and Romans 6:23 tells us "the wages of sin is death." However, because Jesus died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3), all who believe on Jesus as their Savior receive the gift of "eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
Paul's description of God as just would provide much comfort and hope to the suffering Thessalonians. They could leave any thoughts of revenge or retribution behind, and leave a response for undeserved persecution and afflictions in God's holy and capable hands.
