2 Thessalonians 1:5 (DRB)

Passage

For an example of the just judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which also you suffer.

Nearby Context

2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith groweth exceedingly and the charity of every one of you towards each other aboundeth.

2 Thessalonians 1:4 So that we ourselves also glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience and faith, and in all your persecutions and tribulations: which you endure

2 Thessalonians 1:5 For an example of the just judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which also you suffer.

2 Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is a just thing with God to repay tribulation to them that trouble you:

2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with the angels of his power:

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "example", "just", "judgment", "counted", "worthy", "kingdom", and "suffer". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "example" and "just", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 4's "So that we ourselves also glory in..." into verse 6's "Seeing it is a just thing with...", so "example" and "just" belong inside that flow. In 2 Thessalonians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "example" and "just" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.