ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐνδοξασθῆναι ἐν τοῖς ἁγίοις αὐτοῦ καὶ θαυμασθῆναι ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς πιστεύσασιν, ὅτι ἐπιστεύθη τὸ μαρτύριον ἡμῶν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς, ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ
This rich eschatological sentence from 2 Thessalonians 1:10 paints the day of the Lord’s return in stunning theological and grammatical detail. The Greek sets the moment in future expectation, marking a time when Jesus will be glorified among the saints and marveled at by believers. The structure balances temporal anticipation, passive voice theology, and a reminder of the reliability of the apostolic witness.
Grammatical Foundations
The main temporal clause begins with ὅταν ἔλθῃ—“when he comes.” ὅταν introduces a future-looking time clause and governs the aorist subjunctive ἔλθῃ (from ἔρχομαι, 3rd person singular): “whenever he comes.” This sets the event in the eschatological future.
The two infinitives ἐνδοξασθῆναι (to be glorified) and θαυμασθῆναι (to be marveled at) are aorist passive infinitives functioning as epexegetical complements to ἔλθῃ. They explain the purpose or result of the coming: Christ will come in order to be glorified and admired.
Both passive infinitives use prepositional phrases to indicate where and among whom this glorification and admiration occur:
- ἐν τοῖς ἁγίοις αὐτοῦ—“in/among his holy ones” (likely believers, possibly also including angels)
- ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς πιστεύσασιν—“in all who have believed.” This is qualified by the causal clause that follows.
ὅτι ἐπιστεύθη τὸ μαρτύριον ἡμῶν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς gives the reason why the readers will be among those marveling. The verb ἐπιστεύθη (aorist passive indicative of πιστεύω) means “was believed” or “was entrusted.” The subject is τὸ μαρτύριον ἡμῶν—“our testimony,” and ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς means “to you.” The idea is that the gospel message we preached to you was believed by you—hence your inclusion among the glorifiers.
ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ closes the verse: “on that day.” The demonstrative ἐκείνῃ places the entire event in eschatological context, emphasizing the unique and climactic moment when the glorified Christ is universally acknowledged.
Exegetical and Theological Implications
This verse frames Christ’s return not only as judgment (as seen earlier in the chapter), but as glorification and celebration among the faithful. The passive infinitives emphasize that it is he who will be glorified and marveled at—not through external glory, but through the reflection of his presence in the community of the saints.
Paul’s grammar ties belief in the apostolic testimony directly to eschatological hope. Those who believed the gospel (πιστεύθη) will share in the glorifying moment. The beauty of the sentence lies in its balance: future hope, past belief, and present assurance are woven into a single eschatological tapestry.
Linguistic and Historical Perspectives
The phrase ἐνδοξασθῆναι ἐν τοῖς ἁγίοις draws on Old Testament and Jewish apocalyptic imagery, where God’s glory is manifested among his people. The pairing with θαυμασθῆναι (to be marveled at) adds both reverence and astonishment. The participial structures in Greek allow the theological tension to be expressed clearly: Christ’s return is not only majestic but personally participatory for believers.
Table: Verbal and Structural Features in 2 Thessalonians 1:10
| Text | Greek Verb / Phrase | Form | Function / Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Thess 1:10 | ἔλθῃ | Aorist active subjunctive, 3rd person singular | “He comes”; in a temporal clause anticipating future event |
| 2 Thess 1:10 | ἐνδοξασθῆναι / θαυμασθῆναι | Aorist passive infinitives | “To be glorified / to be marveled at”; express result or purpose of his coming |
| 2 Thess 1:10 | ἐπιστεύθη | Aorist passive indicative, 3rd person singular | “Was believed / was entrusted”; describes the response to the apostolic testimony |
The Verse as a Paradigm of Koine Greek Richness
2 Thessalonians 1:10 shows how Koine Greek can carry layered theology with stunning conciseness. The temporal clause orients us to the future. The passive infinitives focus on divine action and response. The verb ἐπιστεύθη bridges the past act of believing with future participation in glory. The result is a verse that sings—of Christ exalted, believers included, and gospel truth vindicated in the most glorious day yet to come.
