2 Thessalonians 1:10b to Psalm 68:35

OT Source(s):

Psalm 68:35 ("Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel — he gives power and strength to his people")

Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Reference Type: Allusion

Connection Method(s): Analogy + Longitudinal Theme

Significance: Paul states that Christ will be "marveled at among all who have believed" (thaumasthēnai en pasin tois pisteusasin), echoing the wonder and awe attributed to God in Psalm 68:35 (LXX 67:36) where God is "awesome" (nora/thaumastos) among his holy ones. Psalm 68 is a processional hymn celebrating God's triumphant march from Sinai to Zion, culminating in the declaration that God is awe-inspiring from his sanctuary and gives strength to his people. The verbal connection through thaumastos/thaumasthēnai (wonder/marvel) links the Psalm's worship response to the eschatological response at Christ's parousia. Paul adapts the Psalm's temple-centered worship — God awesome "from his sanctuary" — to a people-centered manifestation: Christ is marveled at "among all who have believed." This shift from sanctuary to believing community reflects the new-covenant reality that the church is now God's temple (cf. Eph 2:21-22). The Psalm's theology of divine triumph culminating in communal awe becomes the pattern for Christ's return: just as God's entry into Zion elicited wonder, Christ's coming will elicit eschatological marvel from the assembled saints who behold his glory face to face.