“Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:”
My Notes
What Does 2 Thessalonians 1:11 Mean?
Paul prays for the Thessalonians with a specific request: that God would count them worthy of their calling. Not that they would make themselves worthy — that God would count them worthy. The initiative is divine. The worthiness is conferred, not achieved.
The prayer has two parts: fulfill the good pleasure of His goodness (complete what God's generous nature desires for them) and the work of faith with power (make their faith productive and powerful). Both parts depend on God's action. Paul isn't praying that the Thessalonians would try harder. He's praying that God would empower what He's already started.
"We pray always" — this isn't an occasional mention. It's constant intercession. Paul's prayer life for his churches is as persistent as his preaching to them. The apostle who planted them continues to water them through prayer.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Does knowing that worthiness is conferred by God (not achieved by you) change your sense of pressure about your calling?
- 2.Who is praying for you 'always' — and do you have that kind of intercessor?
- 3.What does 'the work of faith with power' look like in your daily life?
- 4.How does the order (calling first, worthiness-counting second) free you from the need to qualify before you answer?
Devotional
Paul prays that God would count you worthy. Not that you would make yourself worthy. That God would do the counting.
This is the prayer you need someone praying for you right now: that God would look at your life and declare it worthy of the calling He gave. Not because you've achieved worthiness. Because God's generosity — the "good pleasure of his goodness" — makes it so.
The calling came first. God called you before you were ready. Before you were qualified. Before you had a track record. And now Paul prays that the God who called you would count you worthy of what He initiated. The counting is His. The worthiness is His gift. You didn't generate the call, and you don't generate the worthiness to answer it.
"The work of faith with power" — faith that works. Faith that produces. Faith that doesn't just believe but acts, and acts with power. Not your power. Power that comes from the God who fulfills the good pleasure of His goodness in you.
"We pray always" — Paul prays for the Thessalonians constantly. Not when he remembers. Not when it's convenient. Always. The man who planted the church never stopped interceding for it.
Who is praying for you always? And who are you praying for? The calling needs intercession. The worthiness needs prayer. And the prayer needs to be constant — because the calling doesn't take a day off.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Wherefore also we pray always for you,.... Not only observe the above things to your comfort, to support you under…
Wherefore also we pray always for you - See the notes, 1Th 1:2. That our God would count you worthy of this calling. -…
We pray - that our God would count you worthy - It is our earnest prayer that God would make you worthy, αξιωσῃ, afford…
In these verses the apostle again tells the Thessalonians of his earnest and constant prayer for them. He could not be…
Wherefore also we pray always for you Rather, To which end also we pray always for you (comp. 1Th 1:2; 1Th 3:10), that…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture