John Calvin Commentary 2 Thessalonians 2:16

"Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace," — 2 Thessalonians 2:16 (ASV)

Now the Lord himself. When he ascribes to Christ a work altogether Divine, and represents him, in common with the Father, as the Author of the choicest blessings, as we have in this a clear proof of the divinity of Christ, so we are admonished that we cannot obtain anything from God unless we seek it in Christ himself. And when he asks that God may give him those things which he had enjoined, he shows clearly enough how little influence exhortations have, unless God inwardly moves and affects our hearts. Unquestionably, there will be only an empty sound striking the ear if doctrine does not receive efficacy from the Spirit.

What he afterwards adds, who has loved you, and has given consolation, etc., relates to confidence in asking; for he would have the Thessalonians feel persuaded that God will do what he prays for. And from what does he prove this? Because he once showed that they were dear to him, since he has already conferred upon them distinguished favors, and in this manner has bound himself to them for the future.

This is what he means by everlasting consolation. The term hope also has the same purpose—that they may confidently expect a never-failing continuation of gifts. But what does he ask? That God may sustain their hearts by his consolation, for this is his role, to keep them from giving way through anxiety or distrust. And further, that he may give them perseverance, both in a pious and holy course of life, and in sound doctrine; for I am of the opinion that he speaks of this, rather than of common discourse, so that this agrees with what has been said before.