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.
Paul wrote this letter to a young church in Thessalonica, a city in what is now Greece, that was facing persecution and wrestling with anxious questions about the future and about Christ's return. In this verse, Paul describes the day when Jesus returns — and he uses a remarkable word: 'glorified.' Jesus won't return to be glorified in monuments or military triumph, but in his people — those who have believed and followed him. The word 'marveled at' suggests something that stops you in your tracks, something that exceeds all your categories. And then Paul adds a personal aside, turning directly to his readers: 'This includes you.' It is a hand placed quietly on the shoulder — you belong to this story.
God, it is genuinely hard to believe I am part of something that will one day cause the universe to marvel. But Paul says I am — because I believed. Help me live from that, not toward it. Let something of you be visible in the ordinary details of my life today. Amen.
Think about the last time something genuinely took your breath away — a piece of music that hit at exactly the wrong or right moment, a sky you couldn't walk past, an act of unexpected kindness that cracked something open in your chest. Now consider what Paul is saying: that one day, that quality of marveling will be directed at Jesus — and the vehicle for it will be people. Ordinary, inconsistent, sometimes-faithful people who believed. Not monuments. Not miracles performed in stadiums. People. And then comes the quiet line that changes everything: 'This includes you.' It is not a footnote. It is the whole point. You — with your doubts and your ordinary Wednesdays and your half-kept intentions — are part of what will one day cause the universe to catch its breath. That is not meant to pressure you into earning your spot. You already have one. It is an invitation to live from that reality rather than toward it. The question this verse leaves you with is not 'will I be included?' Paul says you are. The question is whether you are living like you actually believe it.
Paul says Christ will be 'glorified in his holy people' — what do you think that means practically? How does someone like you become a way that Jesus is seen and marveled at by others?
When Paul says 'this includes you,' what does that stir in you — hope, disbelief, unworthiness, something else? Why do you think that is your reaction, and what does it reveal?
This verse points to a future event — the return of Christ. Be honest: does that future reality actually change how you live day to day, or does it feel abstract? What would it take for it to feel more real?
How does living as someone who already belongs to God's eternal story change how you treat the people around you — especially those who are difficult to love?
What would it look like, in one specific and practical way, to live today as someone who is already included in the story Paul describes — not striving to earn a place, but living from one?
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1 Corinthians 3:13
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.
2 Thessalonians 1:12
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:3
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Acts 1:11
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Matthew 16:27
Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
Revelation 15:4
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day [that is, glorified through the changed lives of those who have accepted Him as Savior and have been set apart for His purpose], and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed and trusted [and confirmed in your lives].
AMP
when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
ESV
when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed-- for our testimony to you was believed.
NASB
on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
NIV
when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.
NKJV
When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people — praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him.
NLT
But on that very same day when he comes, he will be exalted by his followers and celebrated by all who believe—and all because you believed what we told you.
MSG