What does "condemned" in 2 Thessalonians 2:12 imply about God's judgment? The Passage at a Glance “in order that judgment will come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:12 Unpacking “Condemned” •“Judgment will come” translates the Greek krithōsin, a passive form of krínō, “to decide, determine, condemn.” •It pictures a formal, judicial verdict rendered by God Himself. •Not a temporary displeasure, but a settled, final sentence. •Its basis: two conscious choices—rejecting (“disbelieved”) the truth and embracing (“delighted in”) evil. The Pattern of God’s Judgment 1.Truth Presented •John 3:19 — “Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light…” 2.Truth Rejected •John 3:18 — “Whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” 3.Heart Affection Redirected to Evil •Romans 1:32 — “Although they know God’s righteous decree… they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.” 4.Divine Verdict Issued •Romans 2:5 — “…you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.” A Sobering Contrast •Condemned: those who distrust truth and treasure sin (2 Thessalonians 2:12). •Cleared: those who trust Christ and treasure righteousness. –John 5:24 — “Whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment; indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.” Key Takeaways for Today •Condemnation is neither arbitrary nor impersonal; it is God’s righteous response to willful unbelief and delight in wickedness. •The verdict is final and inescapable apart from faith in Christ. •God’s justice underscores the urgency of believing the truth now (2 Corinthians 6:2). |
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