2 Thessalonians 2:13

But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Thessalonian believers, pivoting from the judgment pronounced on those who rejected the truth (v. 12) to the secure position of those who received it.

The words — ὀφείλομεν (opheilomen), from ὀφείλω, is a debt word: "we owe" it to God, not merely that we "ought" to give thanks.

The thread — The same logic of prior divine choice appears in Ephesians 1:4 (chosen before the foundation of the world) and 1 Thessalonians 1:4 (beloved, chosen), and 2 Timothy 1:9 ties salvation to God's purpose and grace rather than works.

Why it lands — It removes the ground for self-congratulation: the believer's security rests on God's prior choice and the Spirit's work, not on the believer's sustained faithfulness.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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:

Cross-references

2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.
Ephesians 1:4 For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love
1 Thessalonians 1:4 Brothers who are beloved by God, we know that He has chosen you,
1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 9:11 Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand,
Acts 13:48 When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.
Isaiah 46:10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
Daniel 9:23 At the beginning of your petitions, an answer went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly precious. So consider the message and understand the vision:
Ezekiel 16:8 Then I passed by and saw you, and you were indeed old enough for love. So I spread My cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, declares the Lord GOD.