2 Thessalonians 1:6

A righteous thing. That is, a just thing from God’s point of view. God sees not as man sees, and is able to come to completely just decisions, since He knows all the facts and can discern the motives in men’s hearts.

To recompense. Gr. antapodidōmi, literally, “to give back in return,” hence, “to repay,” “to requite.” Principles of justice require that men be rewarded according to their works. Those who spurn the Saviour’s atonement are without protection, and expose themselves to just retribution. Compare on Rom. 2:6; Gal. 6:7; Rev. 22:12.

Trouble. Gr. thlibō, “to press hard upon,” “to afflict,” the verb that corresponds to the noun thlipsis, “affliction,” “tribulation” (see on v. 4). Those who afflict the Thessalonians are not here identified, but from the narrative in Acts (ch. 17:5–9) it is clear that the Jews were the instigators of the persecution.