2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.
But we should always thank God for you
This phrase emphasizes the importance of gratitude in the Christian life. The Greek word for "thank" is "εὐχαριστεῖν" (eucharistein), which is the root of the word "Eucharist," reflecting a deep sense of thanksgiving. The Apostle Paul models a life of constant gratitude, recognizing God's work in the lives of the Thessalonian believers. This gratitude is not occasional but perpetual, highlighting the continuous nature of Christian thankfulness.

brothers who are beloved by the Lord
The term "brothers" (ἀδελφοί, adelphoi) signifies a familial bond among believers, transcending biological ties and rooted in spiritual kinship. "Beloved by the Lord" underscores the profound love God has for His people. The Greek word for "beloved" is "ἠγαπημένοι" (ēgapēmenoi), derived from "ἀγάπη" (agapē), the highest form of love, indicating a selfless, sacrificial love that God extends to His children.

because God has chosen you from the beginning
The concept of being "chosen" (εἵλατο, heilato) reflects the doctrine of election, where God, in His sovereignty, selects individuals for salvation. "From the beginning" (ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, ap’ archēs) suggests God's eternal plan and foreknowledge, affirming that His purposes are established from eternity past. This choice is not based on human merit but solely on God's grace and purpose.

to be saved
Salvation (σωτηρία, sōtēria) is a central theme in Christian theology, encompassing deliverance from sin and its consequences. It is a gift from God, achieved through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The passive voice here indicates that salvation is an act of God upon the believer, not something one can achieve independently.

by the sanctification of the Spirit
"Sanctification" (ἁγιασμός, hagiasmos) refers to the process of being made holy, set apart for God's purposes. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life, transforming them into the likeness of Christ. This ongoing process begins at conversion and continues throughout the believer's life, emphasizing the Spirit's role in spiritual growth and maturity.

and by faith in the truth
"Faith" (πίστις, pistis) is the means by which believers receive God's promises. It involves trust and reliance on God and His Word. "In the truth" (ἐν ἀληθείᾳ, en alētheia) points to the gospel message, the ultimate truth revealed in Jesus Christ. Faith is not blind but is grounded in the reality of God's revelation, leading to a life of obedience and trust in His promises.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who authored the letter to the Thessalonians, providing guidance and encouragement to the early Christian community.

2. Thessalonian Believers
The recipients of the letter, a group of Christians in Thessalonica who were facing persecution and needed reassurance of their faith.

3. God
The divine being who is central to the message, emphasizing His role in choosing and sanctifying believers.

4. The Holy Spirit
The third person of the Trinity, involved in the sanctification process of believers.

5. Faith in the Truth
The means by which believers are saved, highlighting the importance of faith in the gospel message.
Teaching Points
Thankfulness for Divine Election
Believers should continually express gratitude for being chosen by God, recognizing it as an act of divine love and grace.

Understanding Sanctification
The process of sanctification is ongoing and involves the Holy Spirit's work in transforming believers to be more like Christ.

Faith and Truth
Emphasize the importance of holding firm to the truth of the gospel and living by faith, as these are integral to salvation.

Assurance of Salvation
Believers can find comfort and assurance in knowing that their salvation is part of God's eternal plan and purpose.

Community Encouragement
Encourage one another in the faith, recognizing that each believer is beloved by the Lord and part of His chosen people.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's choice of believers from the beginning impact your view of salvation and your personal faith journey?

2. In what ways can you actively participate in the sanctification process through the Holy Spirit in your daily life?

3. How does the concept of being "beloved by the Lord" influence your relationship with God and with other believers?

4. What are some practical ways to strengthen your faith in the truth of the gospel amidst challenges and doubts?

5. How can you encourage others in your community to recognize and embrace their identity as chosen and sanctified by God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ephesians 1:4-5
This passage also speaks of God's choosing of believers before the foundation of the world, emphasizing predestination and adoption through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:2
Discusses the sanctifying work of the Spirit, similar to the role mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:13, highlighting the Spirit's role in setting believers apart.

John 17:17
Jesus prays for His followers to be sanctified by the truth, which aligns with the concept of being sanctified by faith in the truth.

Romans 8:29-30
Describes the process of predestination, calling, justification, and glorification, which complements the idea of being chosen and sanctified.

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
Paul previously reassures the Thessalonians of their election by God, reinforcing the theme of divine choice and assurance.
ElectionCharles Haddon Spurgeon 2 Thessalonians 2:13
Apostolic Thanksgiving for the Election and the Calling of the ThessaloniansT. Croskery 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14
The Divine Work of SalvationW.F. Adeney 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14
Connection Between Faith and the Sanctification of the SpiritL. O. Thompson.2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Effectual Calling2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
ElectionT. Manton, D. D.2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Exhortation to SteadfastnessR. Finlayson 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
God's SalvationClerical World2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Gratitude for SalvationC. Simeon, M. A.2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Gratitude to God for SalvationT. B. Baker.2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Holiness2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Justification and SanctificationC. H. Spurgeon.2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
St. Paul's Hopes for the ThessaloniansB.C. Caffin 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
The Favoured PeopleT. Kidd.2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
The Nature, Duty, and Privilege of a ChristianJ. D. Geden, D. D.2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
People
Paul, Thessalonians
Places
Thessalonica
Topics
Always, Beginning, Belief, Bound, Brothers, Chose, Loved, Salvation, Sanctification, Sanctifying, Saved, Spirit, Thank, Thanks, Truth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Thessalonians 2:13

     1115   God, purpose of
     2048   Christ, love of
     2324   Christ, as Saviour
     3035   Holy Spirit, presence of
     3212   Holy Spirit, and mission
     3218   Holy Spirit, and praise
     3233   Holy Spirit, and sanctification
     3257   Holy Spirit, gift of
     4018   life, spiritual
     4442   firstfruits
     4909   beginning
     5661   brothers
     6604   acceptance, human
     6634   deliverance
     6670   grace, and Holy Spirit
     6745   sanctification, nature and basis
     6746   sanctification, means and results
     7028   church, life of
     7120   Christians
     7142   people of God, NT
     8020   faith
     8244   ethics, and grace
     8272   holiness, growth in

2 Thessalonians 2:11-13

     1445   revelation, responses

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

     1513   Trinity, mission of
     5159   hearing
     7024   church, nature of
     8425   evangelism, nature of

2 Thessalonians 2:13-15

     6639   election, to salvation

Library
Everlasting Consolation and Good Hope
'Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace. 17. Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.'--2 THESS. ii. 16, 17. This is the second of the four brief prayers which, as I pointed out in my last sermon, break the current of Paul's teaching in this letter, and witness to the depth of his affection to his Thessalonian converts. We do not know the special circumstances
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Election
Now, first, I shall speak a little concerning the truthfulness of this doctrine: "God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation." Secondly, I shall try to prove that this election is absolute: "He hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation," not for sanctification, but "through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." Thirdly, this election is eternal, because the text says, "God hath from the beginning chosen you." Fourthly, it is personal: "He hath chosen you." Then we
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

Grace and Holiness.
"Now God Himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."--1 THESS. iii. 11-13. There are few more precious subjects for meditation and imitation than the prayers and intercessions of the great Apostle.
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Sixteenth Day. Holiness and Truth.
Make them holy in the Truth: Thy word is Truth.'--John xvii. 17. 'God chose you unto salvation in sanctification and belief of the Truth.'--2 Thess. ii. 12. The chief means of sanctification that God uses is His word. And yet how much there is of reading and studying, of teaching and preaching the word, that has almost no effect in making men holy. It is not the word that sanctifies; it is God Himself who alone can sanctify. Nor is it simply through the word that God does it, but through
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Colossians iii. 17
Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. This, like the other general rules of the gospel, is familiar enough to us all in its own words; but we are very apt to forbear making the application of it. In fact, he who were to apply it perfectly would be a perfect Christian: for a life of which every word and deed were said and done in the name of the Lord Jesus, would be a life indeed worthy of the children of God, and such
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

Approbation and Blessing.
"Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power: that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."--2 THESS. i. ii, 12. Two words sum up the Christian life--Grace and Glory; and both are associated with the two Comings of the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace particularly with the first Coming,
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

The Edict of Banishment, 1729-1736.
But Zinzendorf was not long allowed to tread the primrose path of peace. As the news of his proceedings spread in Germany, many orthodox Lutherans began to regard him as a nuisance, a heretic, and a disturber of the peace; and one critic made the elegant remark: "When Count Zinzendorf flies up into the air, anyone who pulls him down by the legs will do him a great service." He was accused of many crimes, and had many charges to answer. He was accused of founding a new sect, a society for laziness;
J. E. Hutton—History of the Moravian Church

Fifteenth Day. The Holy Spirit.
But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believed on Him were to receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet: because Jesus was not yet glorified.'--John vii. 39. 'The Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things.'--John xiv. 26. 'God chose you to salvation in sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth.'--2 Thess. ii. 13. (See 1 Pet. i. 2.) It has sometimes been said, that while the Holiness of God stands out more prominently
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

The Calling of the Regenerate:
"Whom He did predestinate, them He also called."--Rom. viii. 30. In order to hear, the sinner, deaf by nature, must receive hearing ears. "He that hath ears let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (Rev. ii. 7, 11, 17, 29; iii. 6, 13, 22). But by nature the sinner does not belong to these favored ones. This is a daily experience. Of two clerks in the same office, one obeys the call and the other rejects it; not because he despises it, but because he does not hear God's call in it. Hence
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

First Day. God's Call to Holiness.
Like as He which called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, Ye shall be holy, for I am holy.'--1 Pet. i. 15, 16. The call of God is the manifestation in time of the purpose of eternity: 'Whom He predestinated, them He also called.' Believers are 'the called according to His purpose.' In His call He reveals to us what His thoughts and His will concerning us are, and what the life to which He invites us. In His call He makes clear to
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

The Third Wall.
The third wall falls of itself, as soon as the first two have fallen; for if the Pope acts contrary to the Scriptures, we are bound to stand by the Scriptures, to punish and to constrain him, according to Christ's commandment; "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Perseverance of the Saints Proved.
The following considerations, taken together, seem to me to establish the truth of the doctrine in question beyond reasonable doubt. 1. God has from eternity resolved upon the salvation of all the elect. This we have seen. No one of this number will ever be lost. These are given to Christ from eternity, as a seed to serve him. The conversion, perseverance, and final salvation of the elect, we have seen to be secured. Their conversion, perseverance, and salvation, are secured by means of the grace
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Conflict and Comfort.
"For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ."--COL. ii. 1, 2. Although he was in prison the Apostle was constantly at work for his Master, and not least of all at the work of prayer. If ever the words
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, as the Way, for Sanctification in General.
Having shown how a poor soul, lying under the burden of sin and wrath, is to make use of Jesus Christ for righteousness and justification, and so to make use of him, go out to him, and apply him, as "he is made of God to us righteousness," 1 Cor. i. 30, and that but briefly. This whole great business being more fully and satisfactorily handled, in that forementioned great, though small treatise, viz. "The Christian's Great Interest," we shall now come and show, how a believer or a justified soul
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Holy Spirit Bringing Forth in the Believer Christlike Graces of Character.
There is a singular charm, a charm that one can scarcely explain, in the words of Paul in Gal. v. 22, 23, R. V., "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance." What a catalogue we have here of lovely moral characteristics. Paul tells us that they are the fruit of the Spirit, that is, if the Holy Spirit is given control of our lives, this is the fruit that He will bear. All real beauty of character, all real Christlikeness in us,
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

Discerning Prayer.
INTRODUCTORY. BY D.W. WHITTLE. To recognize God's existence is to necessitate prayer to Him, by all intelligent creatures, or, a consciously living in sin and under condemnation of conscience, because they do not pray to Him. It would be horrible to admit the existence of a Supreme Being, with power and wisdom to create, and believe that the creatures he thought of consequence and importance enough to bring into existence, are not of enough consequence for him to pay any attention to in the troubles
Various—The Wonders of Prayer

Concerning God's Purpose
1. God's purpose is the cause of salvation. THE third and last thing in the text, which I shall but briefly glance at, is the ground and origin of our effectual calling, in these words, "according to his purpose" (Eph. i. 11). Anselm renders it, According to his good will. Peter Martyr reads it, According to His decree. This purpose, or decree of God, is the fountainhead of our spiritual blessings. It is the impulsive cause of our vocation, justification, glorification. It is the highest link in
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

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