Please read the passage before reading the commentary
There are two kinds of letters that carry Paul’s name in the Bible. They are the ones that he himself wrote and the ones that carry his authority even if he did not write them. The second letter to the Thessalonians comes with the authority of Paul, but we are not certain either that Paul wrote or that someone did.
Scholars point out the high Christology in the letter. Referring to Christ as Lord is a sign of a Christological reference to Christ. In our reading we have four references to Christ as Lord. These references indicate that the author has a deep belief that the person of Jesus Christ is Lord (Lord is a coded way of saying God’s personal name). If Jesus is Lord, Jesus is God.
The Thessalonians had to suffer much for their faith in Jesus. Paul recognized this and praised the Thessalonians for the constancy of their faith. This faith, despite suffering, would be a sign that they were worthy of the Kingdom of God. It is not that God takes delight in our sufferings, but that God, as a good coach, knows that we have to be ready for the big game, and that this takes sweat and much practice. This passage closes with Paul’s promise to keep praying for the Thessalonians.
We are the Thessalonians of today. We suffer the aches and pains of living our faith in Jesus Christ the Lord. We believe that God will stand by us in times of stress. We each need the prayers and support of the others to remain faithful as the original Thessalonians remained faithful. Jesus Christ is Lord!