2 Thessalonians 1:11

We pray always. Compare 1 Thess. 1:2; 2 Thess. 1:3; see on Phil. 1:4.

Count you worthy. See on v. 5, where Paul implies that the Thessalonians’ manner of enduring persecution commends them to God. Here he prays that God would count, or “make” (RSV), them worthy of His calling.

This calling. Rather, “the calling.” See on Rom. 8:28, 30; 2 Tim. 1:9. The calling is to a holy life, to come out of the world and to be separate (2 Cor. 6:17, 18), to be citizens of the heavenly kingdom (Phil. 3:20, RSV). We may well ask, “Does my life conform to the divine purpose of the One who so graciously calls? Will the Judge count me worthy?”

Good pleasure of his goodness. Gr. eudokia agathosunēs, literally, “good pleasure of goodness,” there being no word for “his” in the Greek text. Eudokia means “good will,” “wish,” “desire.” Agathōsunē, a word used only by Biblical and ecclesiastical writers, denotes uprightness of heart and life. But it is not God’s goodness that is spoken of, but rather every “good desire” on the part of God’s people. Paul prayed that God would “fulfil,” that is, fill to the full, or completely bring to pass, every aspiration for goodness felt by his converts. It is God who by His Spirit puts into our hearts the desire to do His “good pleasure” (eudokia), and by the same Spirit gives us enabling power to carry out such desire (see Phil. 2:13; 1 Thess. 5:24). Moral goodness is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).

The work of faith. The passage may be rendered, “every good resolve and every work inspired by faith.” The kind of faith that Paul desires to see in the lives of God’s people is not mere theoretical belief, but an active, working principle (cf. James 2:17). He recognized that such living, energizing faith was inspired by God and His Spirit (see 1 Thess. 1:3, 5). Consequently, he earnestly pleaded that God would enable His people to overcome human hindrances and perfect the work of faith in their lives (cf. Rom. 4:20, 21).

With power. Or, “in power,” the words being construed with the verb “fulfil” as follows, “God would … fulfil in power.”