New King James Version (NKJV)

In Paul’s day, no different to today, some congregations were about self-gratification; that of faith without works. Below, Paul and others celebrate those enduring just the opposite; sacrifice and persecution – indeed, Messiah’s works! HalleluYH!!!! 

2 Thessalonians 1:4-5

“⁴ so that we ourselves boast of you among the “churches” (synagogue(s): congregations, etc..) of “God” (Elohim: the Magistrates, the Great, Mighty Ones, etc..) for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, ⁵ which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of “God” (Elohim), that you may be counted worthy of the “kingdom” (malkuw: realm, reign, etc..) of “God” (Elohim), for which you also suffer;”

Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon: Kingdom:

Kingdom: 4437 malkuw mal-koo’ (Aramaic) corresponding to 4438; dominion (abstractly or concretely):–kingdom, kingly, realm, reign.