# At Last ## Ignatius Catholic Study Bible *At Last* ([[1-thessalonians-02#^1-thessalonians-02-16|1 Thess 2:16]]) - *Eis telos* (Gk.): a phrase that can mean \"finally\", \"until the end\", or \"to the utmost\". It is used six times in the NT, usually in the Gospels. In Matthew and Mark, Jesus says that the believer who keeps the faith and endures \"to the end\" will be saved ([[matthew-10#^matthew-10-22|Mt 10:22]]; [[matthew-24#^matthew-24-13|24:13]]; ; [[mark-13#^mark-13-13|Mk 13:13]]). In Luke, Jesus describes an oppressed widow who will \"finally\" or \"eventually\" wear out an unrighteous judge by her continual pleas for justice ([[luke-18#^luke-18-5|Lk 18:5]]). In John, Jesus assures the disciples he has loved them \"to the fullest extent\" ([[john-13#^john-13-1|Jn 13:1]]). Paul\'s intention in using the expression in [[1-thessalonians-02#^1-thessalonians-02-16|1 Thess 2:16]] is a matter of interpretation. **(1)** It could mean \"to the utmost degree\" and describe how the full retribution of heaven is coming upon unbelieving Jews in Judea. **(2)** It could also mean \"finally\" and express how the wrath they have coming to them has at long last arrived. **(3)** Finally, it could mean \"to the end\" and describe how divine wrath will press upon unbelieving Jews for the rest of history. Deciding among these options is difficult, though one of the first two possibilities makes the most sense of the passage within its context. ### Source [[13-first-thessalonians-commentary#^5ovdla|At Last — word study]]