2 Thessalonians 2:13-16
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. – 2 Thessalonians 2:13
Click to read passage
Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians around AD 51–52. At that time, questions about the Lord’s return continued to trouble the Thessalonian church. Perhaps for those of us living more than two thousand years after Jesus’ ascension, the promise of His return can sometimes fade into the background. Because of that, it may be difficult for us to fully feel the weight of what the Thessalonian believers were experiencing.
In the earlier part of the passage, Paul speaks about the signs of Christ’s coming again. He warns believers not to be deceived by false messages or claims of visions. He emphasises that before the Lord returns, there will be a great “rebellion” and the appearance of “the man of lawlessness.” This man of sin (the Antichrist) will perform signs to lead people astray, but in the end, he will be destroyed by the breath of the Lord Jesus’ mouth and by the splendour of His coming (2:8). Paul reminds the believers to stay alert and hold firmly to the truth. They need not panic, because God remains fully sovereign over all things, and those who trust the truth will ultimately prevail. The suffering and persecution faced by these young believers did not mean they were living in the day of God’s judgment. They had not missed the rapture, nor had God forgotten or abandoned them.
In fact, Christians today can sometimes fall into a similar mindset. When life feels difficult and discouraging things keep happening, we may quietly wonder: Have I offended God somewhere? Has God forgotten me? Self-examination is certainly necessary. God’s loving discipline for our good is also real. Yet God’s word through the prophet Isaiah stands firm: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15) God does not forget those who belong to Him.
Paul writes, “Brothers beloved by the Lord, we ought always to give thanks to God for you, because God chose you as the firstfruits…” (v.13a). Though the Thessalonian believers were persecuted by the world, they were dearly loved by the Lord, and God had chosen them as His firstfruits. The fact that anyone, including the Thessalonians and us today, can receive the gospel is not ultimately the result of our own decision. It is because God “chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4).
Paul continues: “to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” (v.13b). What made the Thessalonian believers different from others? They responded to the truth in faith and received Jesus as Lord. As a result, they experienced spiritual rebirth, were set apart from the world for God, and their lives gained hope and direction. They could now live with meaning and testimony. They responded to the gospel call preached by Paul and his co-workers, and through the indwelling Spirit’s continual prompting and help, they were freed from the bondage of sin and enabled to keep imitating Christ Jesus. In the end, they would inherit eternal blessing.
Yet what mattered most was that they must stand firm in their circumstances. That is why Paul exhorts them: “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter” (v.15). Because the Thessalonian believers were deeply concerned about end-times teaching, those without a solid foundation and steady faith could easily be misled by false teachers and drift away from the truth, turning from the God who loved them and graciously gave them eternal comfort and good hope.
Indeed, to stand firm, we must hold fast to all the teaching we have received. If our foundation is weak and unsteady, it is only a matter of time before our faith in Jesus Christ begins to shake in the storms of life. Even if we do not fall immediately, we may only taste God’s promises superficially, failing to live out God’s intention for us. One day, looking back, we may be left with regret.
Reflection:
To stand firm, we must hold fast to all the teaching we have received. In the new year, what spiritual disciplines will you practise to help you remain grounded and faithful to the truth you have received?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your great love, and thank You for choosing us as firstfruits. Help us to believe and obey You sincerely, to surrender our hearts, thoughts, and actions before You, and to know and do Your will. Help us to stand firm and hold fast to the teaching we have received, so that we may live a life pleasing to You, bringing glory to Your name and blessing to others. In the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
Click to read passage
Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians around AD 51–52. At that time, questions about the Lord’s return continued to trouble the Thessalonian church. Perhaps for those of us living more than two thousand years after Jesus’ ascension, the promise of His return can sometimes fade into the background. Because of that, it may be difficult for us to fully feel the weight of what the Thessalonian believers were experiencing.
In the earlier part of the passage, Paul speaks about the signs of Christ’s coming again. He warns believers not to be deceived by false messages or claims of visions. He emphasises that before the Lord returns, there will be a great “rebellion” and the appearance of “the man of lawlessness.” This man of sin (the Antichrist) will perform signs to lead people astray, but in the end, he will be destroyed by the breath of the Lord Jesus’ mouth and by the splendour of His coming (2:8). Paul reminds the believers to stay alert and hold firmly to the truth. They need not panic, because God remains fully sovereign over all things, and those who trust the truth will ultimately prevail. The suffering and persecution faced by these young believers did not mean they were living in the day of God’s judgment. They had not missed the rapture, nor had God forgotten or abandoned them.
In fact, Christians today can sometimes fall into a similar mindset. When life feels difficult and discouraging things keep happening, we may quietly wonder: Have I offended God somewhere? Has God forgotten me? Self-examination is certainly necessary. God’s loving discipline for our good is also real. Yet God’s word through the prophet Isaiah stands firm: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15) God does not forget those who belong to Him.
Paul writes, “Brothers beloved by the Lord, we ought always to give thanks to God for you, because God chose you as the firstfruits…” (v.13a). Though the Thessalonian believers were persecuted by the world, they were dearly loved by the Lord, and God had chosen them as His firstfruits. The fact that anyone, including the Thessalonians and us today, can receive the gospel is not ultimately the result of our own decision. It is because God “chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4).
Paul continues: “to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” (v.13b). What made the Thessalonian believers different from others? They responded to the truth in faith and received Jesus as Lord. As a result, they experienced spiritual rebirth, were set apart from the world for God, and their lives gained hope and direction. They could now live with meaning and testimony. They responded to the gospel call preached by Paul and his co-workers, and through the indwelling Spirit’s continual prompting and help, they were freed from the bondage of sin and enabled to keep imitating Christ Jesus. In the end, they would inherit eternal blessing.
Yet what mattered most was that they must stand firm in their circumstances. That is why Paul exhorts them: “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter” (v.15). Because the Thessalonian believers were deeply concerned about end-times teaching, those without a solid foundation and steady faith could easily be misled by false teachers and drift away from the truth, turning from the God who loved them and graciously gave them eternal comfort and good hope.
Indeed, to stand firm, we must hold fast to all the teaching we have received. If our foundation is weak and unsteady, it is only a matter of time before our faith in Jesus Christ begins to shake in the storms of life. Even if we do not fall immediately, we may only taste God’s promises superficially, failing to live out God’s intention for us. One day, looking back, we may be left with regret.
Reflection:
To stand firm, we must hold fast to all the teaching we have received. In the new year, what spiritual disciplines will you practise to help you remain grounded and faithful to the truth you have received?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your great love, and thank You for choosing us as firstfruits. Help us to believe and obey You sincerely, to surrender our hearts, thoughts, and actions before You, and to know and do Your will. Help us to stand firm and hold fast to the teaching we have received, so that we may live a life pleasing to You, bringing glory to Your name and blessing to others. In the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.