2Th 2:13, 2Ti 1:9 | JFB | STEP | 13. But —In delightful contrast to the damnation of the lost ( ) stands the "salvation" of Paul's converts. are bound —in duty ( ). thanks . . . to God —not to ourselves, your ministers, nor to you, our converts. beloved of the Lord —Jesus ( ). Elsewhere God the Father is said to love us ( ). Therefore Jesus and the Father are one. from the beginning —"before the foundation of the world" ( ; compare ); 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" ( ). 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 ). In a more general sense, it occurs in ; 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 ( ). through —rather as Greek, " in sanctification" as the element in which the choice to salvation had place (compare ), standing in contrast to the "unrighteousness," the element in which Antichrist's followers are given over by God to damnation ( ). 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" ( ).

2 Thessalonians 2:13

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; Eph 5:2, 25). Elsewhere God the Father is said to love us (2Th 2:16; Joh 3:16; Eph 2:4; Col 3:12). Therefore Jesus and the Father are one.

from the beginning—"before the foundation of the world" (Eph 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).

2 Timothy 1:9

9. Who . . . called us—namely, God the Father (Ga 1:6). The having "saved us" in His eternal purpose of "grace, given us in Christ before the world began," precedes his actual "calling" of us in due time with a call made effective to us by the Holy Spirit; therefore, "saved us" comes before "called us" (Ro 8:28-30).

holy calling—the actual call to a life of holiness. Heb 3:1, "heavenly calling" [TITTMANN, Greek Synonyms of the New Testament]; whereas we were sinners and enemies (Eph 1:18; 4:1). The call comes wholly from God and claims us wholly for God. "Holy" implies the separation of believers from the rest of the world unto God.

not according to—not having regard to our works in His election and calling of grace (Ro 9:11; Eph 2:8, 9).

his own purpose—The origination of salvation was of His own purpose, flowing from His own goodness, not for works of ours coming first, but wholly because of His own gratuitous, electing love [THEODORET and CALVIN].

grace . . . given us—in His everlasting purpose, regarded as the same as when actually accomplished in due time.

in Christ—believers being regarded by God as IN HIM, with whom the Father makes the covenant of salvation (Eph 1:4; 3:11).

before the world began—Greek, "before the times (periods) of ages"; the enduring ages of which no end is contemplated (1Co 2:7; Eph 3:11).