In this article, I will first interpret 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17, including discerning the main point and providing an outline of the passage. Then I will show how the passage can be applied to modern Christians, while concluding with a prayer that is based on the passage.
2 Thessalonians 2:13–17 Text
13But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:13–17
Interpretation of 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17
Topic, Main Point, and Purpose of 2 Thess 2:13–17
The topic of 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17 is thanksgiving. The topic can be discerned in two ways. First, the passage begins the same as 2 Thessalonians 1:3–12, suggesting the topic of both passages is the same:
- “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers” (1:3)
- “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers” (2:13)
Second, the entire passage is connected to the declaration of thanksgiving in verse 13: verses 13–14 state the reasons for the thanksgiving, while verses 15–17 are inferences drawn from the thanksgiving.
The main point of 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17 is the necessity of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy’s thanksgiving to God: “we ought always to give thanks to God (2:13a). One could word the main point like the following: Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy must give thanks to God. Everything in verses 13b–17 modifies verse 13a by giving more information on the apostles’ thanksgiving to God, such as the reasons for the thanksgiving (2:13b–14) and inferences drawn from the thanksgiving (2:15–17).
The purpose of 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17 is to encourage the Thessalonian believers to stand firm and hold fast to the apostolic traditions, rather than being shaken and disturbed from false teaching. The Thessalonians have been the recipients of false teaching that claimed Jesus already returned and did not gather the Thessalonian believers to himself, suggesting that the Thessalonians are not God’s people and not saved (2:1–3a). 2 Thessalonians 2:3b–12 countered that false claim by proving Jesus had not returned because certain events that must precede Jesus’ return had not yet occurred. 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17 also counters the false claim that the Thessalonians will not be gathered together with Jesus at his return by proving that the Thessalonians have been chosen and called by God for the purpose of salvation and obtaining the glory of Jesus (2:13–14) and by urging the Thessalonians to strictly adhere to the apostles’ teaching (2:15), which contains right doctrine. As is hopefully now apparent, both 2:1–12 and 2:13–17 are one passage that should be read together because both passages address the deceitful and erroneous teaching that Jesus has already returned (2:2).
2 Thessalonians 2:13
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy’s thanksgiving is rightly given to God. However, the thanksgiving is not general; it is specific. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy give thanks “for you, brothers” (2:13). The “you” in 2:13 refers to the recipients of the letter, who are the Thessalonian believers; that is, “the church of the Thessalonians” as mentioned in 1:1.
The Thessalonian believers are described as loved by the Lord: “brothers, beloved by the Lord” (2:13). The description of the Thessalonian believers become important when one considers the relationship of this passage to the preceding passage (2:1–12), which will be discussed below.
There are two reasons that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy give thanks to God for the Thessalonians believers: (1) because God chose them (2:13b) and (2) because God called them (2:14).
The first reason for the apostles’ thanksgiving is marked with the conjunction “because”: “we ought always to give thanks to God for you . . . because God chose you” (2:13). The conjunction “because” always introduces the reason for something.
The second reason for the apostles’ thanksgiving is more difficult to see in the English texts. It is possible that the clause “to this he called you” (or “He called you to this”) in 2:14 is simply elaborating on the previous clause “God chose you.” However, there are three reasons it is more likely that verse 14 is a second, and related, reason for the apostles’ thanksgiving:
- Verse 14 is part of the same sentence that began at the beginning of verse 13; it is not a new sentence like some of the modern translations have rendered it.
- Some early manuscripts, including a reliable fourth-century text (א), include the conjunction καί (“and”) in verse 14, indicating some manuscripts understood verse 14 as a second causal clause. The translation with the καί is as follows: “we ought always to give thanks to God for you . . . because God chose you . . . and he called you” (2:13–14).
- The subject “God” of the main verb “chose” is carried over into verse 14 for the verb “called,” suggesting a close link between “chose” and “called.”
The combination of the three points above suggests that verse 14 is a second reason for the apostles’ thanksgiving.
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy thank God because he chose the Thessalonians as “first fruits” or “from the beginning” (2:13). See my article HERE as to why the translations differ and which one is the most likely. God chose the Thessalonians from the beginning so that they would be saved: “because God chose you . . . to be saved” (2:13). The Greek preposition (εἰς) that governs this clause indicates purpose. To express purpose in English with minimal extra words, the ESV, NIV, and RSV turned the prepositional phrase into an infinitive: “to be saved.” The other major English translations (not including the KJV) use the English preposition “for,” which in this context also indicates purpose: “for salvation.” The KJV uses the less-clear preposition “to,” which indicates motion toward salvation: “to salvation.”
God used the Holy Spirit and the Thessalonians’ faith/belief to save the Thessalonians: “God chose you . . . to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” (2:13). Both “sanctification by the Spirit” and “belief in the truth” are governed by the preposition “through.” The preposition “through” indicates means (the underlying Greek preposition ἐν can also indicate instrument, as it does here; the meanings are similar). Thus, the means God used to save the Thessalonians was the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and the Thessalonians’ belief in the truth, which includes the gospel.
NOTE the role of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and people in salvation; all are present in this single verse.
- God the Father chooses people to be saved: “God chose you as first fruits/from the beginning.”
- God the Son (Jesus) died on the cross and rose again. He is the object of our belief: “through belief in the truth”; the truth being the truth about Jesus.
- God the Holy Spirit consecrates those the Father chooses for salvation: “through the Spirit’s consecration.”
- Believers/those who are chosen believe in the truth, which has Jesus at its core: “through belief in the truth.”
2 Thessalonians 2:13 has succinctly summarized the role of the trinitarian Godhead and the believer in salvation—in just one verse.
2 Thessalonians 2:14
The second reason for the apostles’ thanksgiving is that God called the Thessalonians “to this” (2:14). “To this” refers to salvation. God has called the Thessalonians to salvation. The only possible antecedent to the demonstrative pronoun “this” is verse 13; specifically, it is the concept of being chosen for salvation. Nothing else makes sense based on what comes before or after verse 14a. The NET has made explicitly clear what is implicit in the text: “He called you to this salvation” (NET).
God used the apostles’ gospel to call the Thessalonians to salvation: “To this he called you through our gospel” (2:14). Once again, we encounter the preposition “through,” which indicates means. God uses the gospel that is preached by Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to call the Thessalonians to salvation.
We need to pause again and dwell on the soteriological implications of what is said in verse 14. The means by which God calls people to salvation is the gospel message. Nothing else is mentioned in this passage.
God’s purpose in calling the Thessalonians to salvation is so that they will obtain the glory of Jesus: “he called you . . . so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2:14). The presence of “so that” always indicates a purpose clause. Some translations use “that,” which is the shortened form of “so that,” but it still indicates purpose (LSB, NASB, NIV).
To “obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2:14), means that the glory, or honour, that was bestowed upon Jesus is also given to those who are united to Jesus through consecration by the Holy Spirit and belief in Jesus. In short, what happened to Jesus happens to those who believe in Jesus. Jesus, as the true Israel, the Davidic King, the Son of God is the representative of all God’s people. As such, those who believe in Jesus are united with Jesus’ perfect life, with Jesus’ death, with Jesus’ resurrection, and with Jesus’ glorification, along with all that his glorification entails, such as his relationship (and therefore his status) as first-born son of God (Rom 8:29; Col 1:15), his inheritance of all the created order (Rom 8:17; Heb 1:2; Rom 4:13), and his dominion over that created order (Rev 20:4–6).
2 Thessalonians 2:15
2 Thessalonians 2:15 begins with “Therefore” or “So then,” indicating that it is inferential. It contains two commands of inference. The terms “therefore” or “so then” generally indicate that what follows is an inference based upon what was just said. In light of God’s choosing and God’s calling (2:13–14), the Thessalonians are supposed to live a certain way.
In light of God choosing and calling the Thessalonians, the Thessalonians are commanded to stand firm in and hold fast to the traditions that they were taught by the apostles: “stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter” (2:15).
The commands to “stand firm” and “hold fast” are figures of speech that mean the Thessalonians should be firmly committed to and strongly adhere to the teachings of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy.
The mention of “spoken word” and “letter” ties this passage (2:13–17) to the previous one (2:1–12). The Thessalonians were at risk of being deceived by a “spoken word” or a “letter seeming to be from us” (2:2–3). The remedy to deceit is to strongly adhere to the apostles’ teaching that comes through their spoken word or letters from them. The desire to counter deceit and false teaching is also why Paul writes the concluding greeting with his own hand; it is a sign of genuineness (3:17).
2 Thessalonians 2:16–17
2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 is inferential. In light of the Thessalonians alarm and shaken mind caused by deceitful teaching (2:2–3) and in light of God’s choosing and calling the Thessalonians for salvation (2:13–14), the apostles Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy petition Jesus and God to comfort/encourage the Thessalonians’ hearts so that they are not shaken or disturbed by the false teaching they have heard and to strengthen their hearts to continue doing and saying good things.
As just mentioned, 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 is a petition to Jesus and God. We know this is a petition because of the petitionary language that is used: “Now may our Lord Jesus . . . .” Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy make two petitions to Jesus and God:
- That Jesus and God comfort/encourage the hearts of the Thessalonians: “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father . . . comfort/encourage your hearts” (2:16–17).
- That Jesus and God establish/strengthen the Thessalonians in every good work/deed and good word/speech:“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father . . . establish/strengthen them in every good work and word” (2:16-17). To strengthen/establish means to cause the Thessalonians to be inwardly committed to good works and good speech. The prayer is that God would make the Thessalonians firm, resolute, and fully committed to good deeds and speech.
God is described four ways in 2 Thessalonians 2:16:
- God is “our Father.” The antecedent to “our” is the apostles and the Thessalonian believers, suggesting God is the Father of all believers.
- God is the one “who loved us.” The tense of the participle “love” (aorist in the Greek) makes the love that is being referenced difficult to discern. It could be a reference to the reality that God has always loved the Thessalonians and will always love them, in which case it could be translated “God . . . who loves us.” It could also be a reference to a particular act of God’s love. If this is the case, then the most likely reference would be either God’s loving act of sending Jesus, God’s choosing the Thessalonians for salvation (2:13), or the more general act of God saving the Thessalonians (which would encompass God’s choosing, Jesus’ death, the Spirit’s consecration, and the Thessalonians’ belief in the truth; 2:13–14).
- God is the one who “gave eternal comfort/encouragement.” This is a reference to God’s character; God is one who gives comfort that lasts forever. This is especially important for the Thessalonians to remember because they have been shaken in mind and alarmed by deceitful news (2:2–3).
- God is the one who “gave good hope.” Again, this describes God’s character. Not only does God comfort, but he gives hope that is significant and has worth (it is “good hope”). Within context, the hope referred to would be that Jesus has not already come and left the Thessalonians behind, but that when Jesus returns he will certainly gather all believers (including the Thessalonians) to himself (2:1) because God has chosen and called them to salvation and to obtain glory (2:13–14). Both God’s comfort and hope is “by grace”; it is unmerited favour.
Summary of 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy ought to always give thanks to God for the Thessalonians. They give thanks because God chose them for salvation and because God called them to salvation. In light of God’s choosing and calling, Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy first charge the Thessalonians to strongly adhere to their teaching. The apostles then petition Jesus and God to comfort the Thessalonians and to strengthen them in every good work and word.
Another helpful way of summarizing a passage is by producing an outline. An outline can help you remember the main points and the argument of a passage at a glance and is a useful tool for teaching a passage.
I. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy Ought to Always Give Thanks to God (v 13)
A. For the Thessalonian Believers (v 13)
B. Because God Chose the Thessalonians Believers (v 13)
1. From the Beginning (v 13)
2. For the Purpose of Salvation (v 13)
3. By the Consecration of the Spirit (v 13)
4. By Faith in the Truth (v 13)
C. Because God Called the Thessalonians Believers (v 14)
1. For the Purpose of Salvation (v 14)
2. Through the Gospel (v 14)
3. For the Purpose of Obtaining the Glory of Jesus (v 14)
II. The Thessalonians Must Stand Firm and Hold Fast to the Traditions (v 15)
A. Traditions that the Thessalonians Were Taught by the Apostles (v 15)
B. In Light of God Choosing and Calling the Thessalonians (v 15)
III. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy Pray (v 16–17)
A. That Jesus and God Comfort/Encourage the Hearts of the Thessalonians (v 17)
B. That Jesus and God Strengthen/Establish the Hearts of the Thessalonians (v 17)
1. In Every Good Work (v 17)
2. In Every Good Word (v 17)
Application of 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17 to Modern Christians
Because the commands of 2 Thessalonians 2:15 and the petitions of 2:16–17 are predicated on being chosen and called by God (2:13–14), we first need to discern whether or not we Christians today have been chosen and called by God. If we have, then the commands of verse 15 and the petitions of verses 16–17 directly apply to modern Christians. Let’s look at each issue in the order they appear in the passage.
Chosen and Called by God (2:13–14)
2 Thessalonians says that God chose and called the Thessalonians “for salvation,” “by the sanctification/consecration of the Spirit,” “by belief in the truth,” and “through the gospel.” This description of being chosen and called by God describes every disciple of Jesus throughout history. Yes, modern believers are saved by believing in the gospel and by believing in the truth (Jesus, his person and work). Further, all disciples of Jesus have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them who has set them apart as God’s people. Thus, we can conclude that all modern Christians (those who have repented of their sin and believed in Jesus) have been chosen by God from the beginning for salvation and have been called by God for salvation and for the future obtaining of the glory of Jesus.
If modern Christians are to apply their chosenness as it is intended in 2 Thessalonians, then this reality of God choosing and calling us to salvation means we should believe that Jesus will gather us to himself when he returns and we should not be deceived into believing otherwise.
Stand Firm and Hold Fast to Apostolic Tradition (2:15)
In light of the Thessalonians’ being chosen and called by God for salvation, they are commanded to stand firm in and hold fast to the traditions that were taught to the Thessalonians by Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. All modern Christians must also adhere to this command because we have also been chosen and called by God for salvation.
All modern Christians must adhere to the traditions, teachings, and instructions passed on to God’s people by the apostles. These traditions have been preserved for us in the New Testament. Thus, everything the New Testament says regarding what disciples of Jesus should believe and how disciples of Jesus should behave must be strictly adhered to by all disciples of Jesus of all eras, not just those from the first century.
As a side note, there are many Christians and denominations that shun ‘tradition.’ This is quite sad in light of 2 Thessalonians 2:15, which tells Christians to strictly adhere to traditions. The issue should not be over traditions, but which traditions to which a person adheres. Modern Christians should embrace the Christian traditions passed along by the apostles, rather than shun and mock them. Indeed, we are commanded to embrace and adhere to them.
Pray for God to Comfort and Strengthen the Hearts of Christians (2:16–17)
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy petition God to comfort the hearts of the Thessalonians and to establish them in every good work and word. This prayer should be made for all Christians who erroneously believe Jesus has already returned and are disturbed or alarmed about not being gathered together with Jesus.
Of particular note is the petition for the establishment of good works (deeds) and words (speech). It seems that some of the Thessalonian believers have been captured by the lie of Jesus’ return and are no longer working (see 2 Thessalonians 3:6–15 and my article on this passage). This petition is a correction of that erroneous reaction to an erroneous teaching. All disciples of Jesus today must continue to engage in good works and words since Jesus has not returned.
Prayer Based on 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17
To pray 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17, modern Christians should make the same petition as Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy (2:16–17) based on God choosing and calling us (2:13–14). We should also pray that God motivates and enables us to adhere to apostolic tradition and teaching.
Dear God, thank you for choosing me to be saved and for calling me to salvation and to a guaranteed future glorification. Please use these truths to comfort me when I doubt my salvation or when I erroneously think that Jesus may leave me behind with the wicked when he returns to gather his people to himself. As I await the return of Jesus, please help me be committed to good works, to good speech, and to not be idle. Finally, motivate me to read and study the Bible regularly so that I will not be led astray by false teaching. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.