2 Thessalonians 2:13 is one of the most theologically rich verses in the entire Bible:
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning [or “as the firstfruits”] to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth [Jesus].
In this one little verse, we find reference to the Trinity in salvation! For a full exposition of this verse in context, see my interpretation of 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17 HERE.
In 2 Thessalonians 2:13, a difference in translation occurs amongst the major English Bible translations. The two translation options are:
1. “God chose you as first fruits” (ESV, LSB, NIV, NRSV)
2. “God chose you from the beginning” (CSB, KJV, NASB, NET, RSV)
As is quite obvious, the two translation options are quite different. “First fruits” is certainly not the same as “from the beginning.” Further, scholarship is quite divided regarding which option is correct. Scholars are unsure whether Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy meant “first fruits” or “from the beginning.”
In this exegetical insight, I want to explore (a) what gave rise to the two different translation options, (b) which option is most likely, and (c) the theological differences and significances between the two options.
Why Two Different Translations?
The different translations in our modern English Bibles are because some Greek manuscripts have “first fruits” (ἀπαρχήν) and others have “from the beginning” (ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς). The reason for the different words arose because of their similar spelling and sound. The word “first fruits” (ἀπαρχήν) in the Greek text is almost identical to the two words that make up “from the beginning” (ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς). The only difference is the final letter. Further, the earliest Greek manuscripts were written without spaces between the words and without punctuation, meaning the difference between these two possibilities is almost non-existent.
What should also be taken into consideration is that the lexical form of the words “first fruits” and “beginning” are almost identical, ending in the same letter, adding to the confusion between the two terms:
- “first fruits” ἀπαρχή
- “beginning” ἀρχή
The following shows the two translations, the Greek behind the translations without spaces and punctuation marks, and a picture of a 4th-century manuscript that has that particular word to show how similar these two interpretation possibilities are.
“from the beginning” (απαρχης)
*Codex Sinaiticus (4th Century)
“first fruits” (απαρχην)
*Codex Vaticanus (4th Century)
As is hopefully quite obvious, the difference between “first fruits” and “from the beginning” is miniscule (literally one letter!) and a mix up between the two is easily possible, especially in light of the fact that both interpretation options make sense within the context of 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17.
Which Interpretation Option Is Most Likely?
Choosing whether “first fruits” (ἀπαρχήν) or “from the beginning” (ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς) is what Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy actually wrote is difficult to discern, as evidenced from the split in major English Bible translations. The difficulty stems from the fact that the earliest Greek manuscripts are split on the translation, with roughly half preferring “first fruits” (ἀπαρχήν) and half preferring “from the beginning” (ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς). This is clearly seen from the two 4th-century texts above, each which chooses a different interpretation. Once we move out of the earliest manuscripts, the interpretation “from the beginning” (ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς) is found in a majority of manuscripts
Since the manuscript evidence is not much help in determining Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy’s intended meaning, we need to turn to the context of 2 Thessalonians 2 and determine which translation option makes the most sense.
Context and the Theological Differences and Significances between “First Fruits” and “From the Beginning”
The prepositional phrase “from the beginning” (ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς) is used a total of 20 times in the New Testament, but only once by Paul in the book of Acts: “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning (ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς) among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews” (Acts 26:4). Because this is not a common Pauline phrase, some scholars have suggested it is unlikely to be the intended meaning in 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
However, “from the beginning” makes a lot of sense in the context of 2 Thessalonians 2. The apostles are comforting the Thessalonians by telling them that God chose them for salvation for the purpose of assuaging their fears that they are not God’s people and that Jesus did not gather them to himself (2:1–2). Claiming that the Thessalonians were chosen for salvation “from the beginning” proves that they are God’s people because they were chosen to be God’s people before creation. Some Christians do not like the strong election language of “from the beginning,” but this should not trouble anyone because the concept of “choosing” is election language whether “from the beginning” is present or not, and being chosen “from the beginning” is a common New Testament and Pauline doctrine as evidenced from Ephesians 1:4: “even as he [God the Father] chose us in him before the foundation of the world.”
The accusative “first fruits” (ἀπαρχήν) is a term more commonly used by Paul, but makes less sense in the context of 2 Thessalonians 2. Seven of its nine uses are used by Paul (Rom 8:23; 11:16; 16:5; 1 Cor 15:20, 23; 16:15; 2 Thess 2:13), with two of those uses being similar to 2 Thessalonians 2:13:
- “Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert (ἀπαρχή) to Christ in Asia” (Romans 16:5).
- “you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts (ἀπαρχή) in Achaia” (1 Corinthians 16:15).
In light of Romans 16:5 and 1 Corinthians 16:15, Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy’s comment that the Thessalonians are “the first fruits for salvation” most likely means that they are the first converts in Thessalonica, which aligns well with Acts 17:1–9. The Thessalonians were not the first converts in the wider region of Macedonia; those were the Philippian converts (Acts 16:11–40).
The major question of “first fruits” referring to the Thessalonians as the first converts in Thessalonica is whether or not it makes sense in the context of 2 Thessalonians 2? It is hard to see how a reference to the Thessalonians as the first converts in Thessalonica assists the apostles’ goal of assuaging their fears that they are not God’s people and that Jesus did not gather them to himself (2:1–2), especially in light of the fact that “from the beginning” makes a lot more sense.
Conclusion
Based on context, I believe “from the beginning” (ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς) makes the most sense in 2 Thessalonians 2 and, thus, is most likely what Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy had originally written.
However, this is not an issue that should divide Christians because both interpretive options are biblical and found elsewhere in the New Testament. This textual issue is a great example of how confusion can arise when words look similar, sound similar, and make sense in the context. Nothing malicious has taken place.
We can also praise the Lord that we are 100% certain that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy originally wrote either “from the beginning” (ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς) or “first fruits” (ἀπαρχήν) and that the original is not lost. Perhaps future manuscript discoveries will conclusively reveal which interpretive option was intended by the apostles; for now, however, we must use our best judgment.