1 Thessalonians 2:12
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's pastoral recollection of his work among the Thessalonians characterizes his ministry as a parental exhortation (parakaloumenoi), encouragement (paramythoumenoi), and witness (martyromenoi) — three complementary modes of apostolic formation. The goal stated — 'walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory' — introduces eschatological framing into an ethical appeal: the standard of worthy walking is derived from the character and destination of the one who called, not from social convention or religious custom. The double genitive 'his kingdom and glory' (tēs heautou basileias kai doxēs) links present ethical calling to the eschatological inheritance, embedding ethics within apocalyptic horizon. The verse is significant for understanding the Pauline relationship between indicative and imperative: the calling is prior; the worthy walk is the response.
Other Translations
to the end that ye should walk worthily of God, who calleth you into his own kingdom and glory.
for your walking worthily of God, who is calling you to His own reign and glory.
So that your lives might be pleasing to God, who has given you a part in his kingdom and his glory.
Cross References
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or …
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in …
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath …
That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the …
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all …
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye …
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye …