2 Thessalonians 2 · Verse 13

2 Thessalonians 2:13

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

2 Thessalonians 2:13, King James Version

2 Thessalonians 2:13 in other translations

BSB	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.
WEB	But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth,
ASV	But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
YLT	And we--we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved by the Lord, that God did choose you from the beginning to salvation, in sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth,
DARBY	But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, that God has chosen you from the beginning to salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
BBE	But it is right for us to give praise to God at all times for you, brothers, loved by the Lord, because it was the purpose of God from the first that you might have salvation, being made holy by the Spirit and by faith in what is true:
Webster	But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved by the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth:

What does 2 Thessalonians 2:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

13. But--In delightful contrast to the damnation of the lost (2Th 2:12) stands the "salvation" of Paul's converts. are bound--in duty (2Th 1:3). thanks ... to God--not to ourselves, your ministers, nor to you, our converts. beloved of the Lord--Jesus (Ro 8:37; Ga 2:20; Ep 5:2, 25). Elsewhere God the Father is said to love us (2Th 2:16; Joh 3:16; Ep 2:4; Col 3:12). Therefore Jesus and the Father are one. from the beginning--"before the foundation of the world" (Ep 1:4; compare 1Co 2:7; 2Ti 1:9); in contrast to those that shall "worship the beast, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Re 13:8). Some of the oldest manuscripts read as English Version, but other oldest manuscripts and Vulgate read, "as first-fruits." The Thessalonians were among the first converts in Europe (compare Ro 16:5; 1Co 16:15). In a more general sense, it occurs in Jas 1:18; Re 14:4; so I understand it here including the more restricted sense. chosen you--The Greek, is not the ordinary word for "elected," implying His eternal selection; but taken for Himself, implying His having adopted them in His eternal purpose. It is found in the Septuagint (De 7:7; 10:15). through--rather as Greek, "in sanctification" as the element in which the choice to salvation had place (compare 1Pe 1:2), standing in contrast to the "unrighteousness," the element in which Antichrist's followers are given over by God to damnation (2Th 2:12). of the Spirit--wrought by the Spirit who sanctifies all the elect people of God, first by eternally consecrating them to perfect holiness in Christ, once for all, next by progressively imparting it. belief of the truth--contrasted with "believed not the truth" (2Th 2:12).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 13. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you. 2Thes 1:3.

Because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation. The following important things are affirmed or implied here:

(1.) That God had chosen or elected them (ειλετο) to salvation. The doctrine of election, therefore, is true.

(2.) That this was from the beginning, (απαρχης) that is, from eternity. Jn 1:1, Eph 1:4, 3:9-11 The doctrine of eternal election is, therefore, true.

(3.) That this was the choice of the persons to whom Paul referred. The doctrine of personal election is, therefore, true.

(4.) That this is a reason for thanksgiving. Why should it not be? Can there be any higher ground of praise or gratitude than that God has chosen us to be eternally holy and happy, and that he has from eternity designed that we should be so? Whatever, therefore, may be the feelings with which those who are not chosen to salvation, regard this doctrine, it is clear that those who have evidence that they are chosen should make it a subject of grateful praise. They can have no more exalted source of gratitude than that they are chosen to eternal life.

Through sanctification of the Spirit. Being made holy by the Divine Spirit. It is not without respect to character, but it is a choice to holiness and then to salvation. No one can have evidence that he is chosen to salvation except as he has evidence that he is sanctified by the Spirit. Eph 1:4.

And belief of the truth. In connexion with believing the truth. No one who is not a believer in the truth can have evidence that God has chosen him.

(a) "are bound" 2Thes 1:3 (b) "chosen you" Eph 1:4, 1Thes 1:4, 1Pet 1:2

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, etc. - In your calling, God has shown the purpose that he had formed from the beginning, to call the Gentiles to the same privileges with the Jews, not through circumcision, and the observance of the Mosaic law, but by faith in Christ Jesus; but this simple way of salvation referred to the same end - holiness, without which no man, whether Jew or Gentile, can see the Lord. Let us observe the order of Divine grace in this business: 1. They were to hear the truth - the doctrines of the Gospel. 2. They were to believe this truth when they heard it preached. 3. They were to receive the Spirit of God in believing the truth. 4. That Spirit was to sanctify their souls-produce an inward holiness, which was to lead to all outward conformity to God. 5. All this constituted their salvation - their being fitted for the inheritance among the saints in light. 6. They were to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ - that state of felicity for which they were fitted, by being saved here from their sins, and by being sanctified by the Spirit of God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15

When we hear of the apostacy of many, it is a great comfort and joy, that there is a remnant according to the election of grace, which does and shall persevere; especially we should rejoice, if we have reason to hope that we are of that number. The preservation of the saints, is because God loved them with an everlasting love, from the beginning of the world. The end and the means must not be separated. Faith and holiness must be joined together as well as holiness and happiness. The outward call of God is by the gospel; and this is rendered effectual by the inward working of the Spirit. The belief of the truth brings the sinner to rely on Christ, and so to love and obey him; it is sealed by the Holy Spirit upon his heart. We have no certain proof of any thing having been delivered by the apostles, more than what we find contained in the Holy Scriptures. Let us then stand fast in the doctrines taught by the apostles, and reject all additions, and vain traditions.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

2 Thessalonians 2:13 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἩμεῖςHēmeisWe ourselvesG3165

δὲdehoweverG1161

ὀφείλομενopheilomenoughtG3784

εὐχαριστεῖνeucharisteinto give thanksG2168

τῷtō<the>G3588

θεῷtheōto GodG2316

πάντοτεpantotealwaysG3842

περὶpericoncerningG4012

ὑμῶν,humōnyou,G4771

ἀδελφοὶadelphoibrothersG80

ἠγαπημένοιēgapēmenoibelovedG25

ὑπὸhupobyG5259

κυρίου,kuriou[the] Lord,G2962

ὅτιhotithatG3754

εἵλατοeilatohas chosenG138

ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771

ὁho<the>G3588

θεὸςtheosGodG2316

ἀπαρχὴνaparchēnfrom [the] beginningG536

εἰςeisuntoG1519

σωτηρίανsōtēriansalvationG4991

ἐνeninG1722

ἁγιασμῷhagiasmō[the] sanctificationG38

πνεύματοςpneumatosof [the] SpiritG4151

καὶkaiandG2532

πίστειpistei[by] faithG4102

ἀληθείας,alētheiasof [the] truth,G225

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Thessalonians 2:13

2 Timothy 1:9
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Ephesians 1:4-5
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
1 Thessalonians 1:4
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:9
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 9:11
(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
Acts 13:48
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
2 Thessalonians 1:3
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
Isaiah 46:10
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Daniel 9:23
At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
Ezekiel 16:8
Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine.
1 Peter 1:2-5
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 John 4:10
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

we.
1:3; Ro 1:8; 6:17
beloved.
16; De 33:12; 2Sa 12:25; *marg:
Jer 31:3; Eze 16:8; Da 9:23; 10:11,19; Ro 1:7; Col 3:12; 1Jo 4:10,19
from.
Ge 1:1; Pr 8:23; Isa 46:10; Joh 1:1; 8:44; Heb 1:10
chosen.
Ro 8:33; 9:11; Eph 1:4,5; 1Th 1:4; 2Ti 1:9; 1Pe 1:2
through.
10,12; Lu 1:75; 1Pe 1:2-5
belief.
Joh 8:45,46; 14:6; Ac 13:48; 15:9; Ga 3:1; Eph 2:8; Col 1:5; 2Ti 2:15
2Ti 3:15; Jas 1:18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Thessalonians 2:12
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
2 Thessalonians 2:14
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Read all of 2 Thessalonians 2

2 Thessalonians 2:13 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Mas nosotros debemos dar siempre gracias á Dios por vosotros, hermanos amados del Señor, de que Dios os haya escogido desde el principio para salud, por la santificación del Espíritu y fe de la verdad:
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Mais nous, nous devons toujours rendre grâces à Dieu pour vous, frères aimés du Seigneur, de ce que Dieu vous a choisis dès le commencement pour le salut, dans la sainteté de l’Esprit et la foi de la vérité,
German Elberfelder 1871	Wir aber sind schuldig, Gott allezeit für euch zu danken, vom Herrn geliebte Brüder, daß Gott euch von Anfang erwählt hat zur Seligkeit in Heiligung des Geistes und im Glauben an die Wahrheit,
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Nos autem debemus gratias agere Deo semper pro vobis, fratres dilecti a Deo, quod elegerit vos Deus primitias in salutem in sanctificatione spiritus, et in fide veritatis: