2 Thessalonians 2:13-17·~1 min

Stand Firm

Paul says he must always thank God for the Thessalonians because they are loved by the Lord and chosen for salvation through the Spirit's sanctifying work and faith in the truth. Since God called them through the gospel to share in Christ's glory, they are to stand firm and hold to the teaching they received.

B¹³ut 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. ¹⁴To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵Therefore, brothers, stand firm and cling to the traditions we taught you, whether by speech or by letter.

Paul prays that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God the Father, who loved them and gave eternal comfort and good hope by grace, would encourage their hearts and strengthen them in every good word and deed.

¹⁶Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who by grace has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope, ¹⁷encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good word and deed.

Section summaryPaul turns from those deceived to the Thessalonian believers, giving thanks that God has loved and chosen them for salvation through the Spirit and faith in the truth. Because they were called through the gospel to share Christ's glory, they are to stand firm in the teaching they received. The chapter closes with prayer that the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father would encourage and strengthen them in every good word and deed.

Role in the chapterThis closing section answers the darkness of deception with thanksgiving, calling, and comfort. It steadies the church by returning them to the truth that holds them fast.