2 Thessalonians 1:5

“Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, &c.] That is, according as some think, that God should glorify those that are persecuted, and punish their persecutors: this sense indeed may seem to agree with what follows; but the apostle is speaking not of something future, but of something present; not of what God will do hereafter, but of the present sufferings of the saints. According to others the sense is, that God's suffering affliction and persecution to befall his own people, as a chastisement of them, that they may not be condemned with the world, is an evidence of his strict justice, that he will not suffer sin in any to go unobserved by him; and is a manifest token…”

“Which--Your enduring these tribulations is a "token of the righteous judgment of God," manifested in your being enabled to endure them, and in your adversaries thereby filling up the measure of their guilt. The judgment is even now begun, but its consummation will be at the Lord's coming. David (Psa 73:1-14) and Jeremiah (Jer 12:1-4) were perplexed at the wicked prospering and the godly suffering. But Paul, by the light of the New Testament, makes this fact a matter of consolation. It is a proof (so the Greek) of the future judgment, which will set to rights the anomalies of the present state, by rewarding the now suffering saint, and by punishing the persecutor. And even now "the Judge of…”

“Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God - The word “which” is supplied by our translators, and there may be some doubt to what the apostle has reference as being “a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God.” The general sense seems to be, that the fact that they were thus persecuted was an evidence that there would be a future judgment, when the righteous who were persecuted would be rewarded, and the wicked who persecuted them would be punished. The manner in which they bore their trials was an indication also of what the result would be in regard to them. Their patience and faith under persecutions were constantly showing that they would “be counted worthy of the…”

“A manifest token - This is treated of in Th2 1:6 and following verses. 2 Thessalonians 1:6”

“1:5 Those called by God to enter his Kingdom will suffer for it (Acts 14:22; 1 Thes 2:12).”

“manifest: Th2 1:6; Phi 1:28; Pe1 4:14-18 righteous: Job 8:3; Psa 9:7, Psa 9:8, Psa 33:5, Psa 50:6, Psa 72:2, Psa 99:4, Psa 111:7; Jer 9:24; Dan 4:37; Rom 2:5; Rev 15:4, Rev 16:7, Rev 19:2 may: Th2 1:11; Luk 20:35, Luk 21:36; Act 13:46; Eph 4:1; Col 1:12; Rev 3:4 for: Th2 1:7; Act 14:22; Rom 8:17; Th1 2:14; Ti2 2:12; Heb 10:32, Heb 10:33 2 Thessalonians 1:6”