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:
Study Note
Study Note
'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.' Following the sobering passage on the 'man of sin' (2:1-12), Paul pivots to thanksgiving grounded in the Thessalonians' election — 'from the beginning' (aparchen, or 'firstfruits') chosen to salvation. The means of that salvation — 'sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth' — holds together divine work (Spirit's sanctifying) and human response (belief), refusing to collapse election into determinism or to reduce salvation to human decision. Ephesians 1:4-5 employs the same election-before-time framework.
Other Translations
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:
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,
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:
Cross References
And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall …
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel …
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with …
Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I …
And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he …
And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and …
At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art …
In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.