Charles Spurgeon Commentary 2 Thessalonians 2:13

"But 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:" — 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (ASV)

But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.

How the saints praise one another! How sweet is Christian fellowship! How we rejoice in the blessed love of God to his people when we are assailed by those who battle against his truth! Then the love of the brethren is stronger than ever, and our faithfulness to God is largely increased.

The apostle falls back upon the doctrine of electing love: God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation. And he admires the methods by which that love effects its purpose: Salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.

Men are made holy by the Spirit of God; the holiness is of life and understanding. They attain to a belief of the truth, as well as to a practice of the divine commands. Oh, happy people who are ordained from the beginning to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth!