God's Righteous Judgment

: Paul spoke elsewhere of living lives worthy of God (1 Thessalonians 2:12), of God's call (2 Thessalonians 1:11; Ephesians 4:1), of Christ (Colossians 1:10) and of the gospel (Philippians 1:27-28). He did not mean by this that people are able to make themselves worthy of receiving these blessings. Instead, he spoke of lifestyles appropriate for recipients of God's blessing. By God's grace we are enabled to live in ways that are fitting for the people of God. In this case Paul had in mind the ability to endure persecution.