What does 2 Thessalonians 2:16 mean?
In this verse Paul begins a benediction. In his prayer he identifies the Lord Jesus Christ, and God our Father, as having loved him, his coworkers, and his readers. It is rare that Paul placed Jesus' name before the Father's name, but the order shows that Jesus and the Father are equal in essence, authority, and power. Also, in the Greek language, the subject is plural but the verbs are singular, indicating that each person named in the subject has equal value.Jesus and the Father loved us while we were sinners (Romans 5:8) and still love us. Nothing can separate us from this love (Romans 8:38–39). God bestowed on the Thessalonians comfort that outlasts this life and extends for eternity, and he did so because of His love. He also gave the Thessalonians hope of a bright future, and He imparted it by grace—His undeserved favor. The persecution and trials could not dim the good hope God had bestowed on Paul's readers.