2 Thessalonians 2:13
What does 2 Thessalonians 2:13 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Thessalonians 2:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Thessalonians 2:13 means
Paul breaks into thanksgiving: “brethren beloved of the Lord,” God “chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” Against the bleak backdrop of judgment, he affirms their gracious election. Salvation’s source is God’s choice; its means involve the Spirit’s sanctifying work and the believer’s faith. This double emphasis safeguards humility and assurance: we are saved by grace, yet we truly believe and are made holy. “From the beginning” lifts their eyes to God’s eternal purpose. The contrast with those who “received not the love of the truth” underscores mercy: these believers have been taught to love and believe the truth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But 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:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And 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,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Whereunto also he hath called you by our gospel, unto the purchasing of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But we ought to give thanks toGod always for you, brethren beloved of [the] Lord, thatGod has chosen you from [the] beginning to salvation in sanctification of [the] Spirit and belief of [the] truth:
Context
The tone shifts from warning to worship. After describing those perishing in vv9–12, Paul reassures the Thessalonians of their identity as loved and chosen. This sets up v14’s reminder of how God’s choice came to them through the preaching of “our gospel,” issuing in a share in Christ’s glory. The movement from election to calling to glory will ground the exhortation that follows in v15 to stand firm and hold apostolic traditions.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 3:1
O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?
- 2 Timothy 3:15
and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
- Romans 1:7
to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:9
For God appointed us not unto wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
- John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- Jeremiah 31:3
Jehovah appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
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