King James Version

What Does 2 Thessalonians 1:10 Mean?

2 Thessalonians 1:10 in the King James Version says “When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony amon...” — study this verse from 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.”

2 Thessalonians 1:10 · King James Version

Faith

Context

8

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: taking: or, yielding

9

Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

10

When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

11

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: count: or, vouchsafe

12

That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day—Christ comes both to judge (vv. 8-9) and to be glorified in (endoxasthēnai en, ἐνδοξασθῆναι ἐν) His saints. They become His glory, reflecting His character perfectly. To be admired (thaumasthēnai, θαυμασθῆναι, 'to be marveled at') shows Christ receiving worship through transformed believers.

In all them that believe includes the Thessalonians—because our testimony among you was believed (parenthetical insertion). Their present suffering guarantees future participation in Christ's glory. In that day refers to 'the day of the Lord' (2:2), the second coming. Believers won't merely attend Christ's coronation—they'll be His crown.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Roman triumphs displayed conquered peoples as trophies, glorifying the emperor. Paul inverts this: Christ's triumph displays redeemed saints as His glory. The conqueror is glorified through those He liberated, not humiliated. Believers become living monuments to Christ's victory over sin and death.

Reflection Questions

  1. How will your life specifically glorify Christ on that day?
  2. What does it mean for Christ to be 'admired' through believers rather than independent of them?
  3. How should the certainty of glorification with Christ affect your current trials?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
ὅταν1 of 24

“When”

G3752

whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as

ἔλθῃ2 of 24

“he shall come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἐνδοξασθῆναι3 of 24

“to be glorified”

G1740

to glorify

ἐν4 of 24

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τοῖς5 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁγίοις6 of 24

“saints”

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

αὐτοῦ7 of 24
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ8 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

θαυμασθῆναι9 of 24

“to be admired”

G2296

to wonder; by implication, to admire

ἐν10 of 24

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

πᾶσιν11 of 24

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τοῖς12 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐπιστεύθη13 of 24

“them that believe”

G4100

to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch

ὅτι14 of 24

“(because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐπιστεύθη15 of 24

“them that believe”

G4100

to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch

τὸ16 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαρτύριον17 of 24

“testimony”

G3142

something evidential, i.e., (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the decalogue (in the sacred tabernacle)

ἡμῶν18 of 24

“our”

G2257

of (or from) us

ἐφ'19 of 24

“among”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ὑμᾶς20 of 24

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἐν21 of 24

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ22 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡμέρᾳ23 of 24

“day”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἐκείνῃ24 of 24

“that”

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Thessalonians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Thessalonians 1:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Thessalonians 1:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 1:181 Corinthians 3:132 Timothy 4:8John 17:10Isaiah 49:3Numbers 23:23

Test Your Knowledge

2 Thessalonians 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Thessalonians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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