Lord’s Library editors offer this 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 meaning, with commentary and supporting Scriptures, for your edification.
To gain a 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 meaning, see the verses: “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: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This passage showcases the truth: that salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace, received through faith in the Finished Work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Paul expresses gratitude to God for the Thessalonian believers, recognizing that salvation is not a result of their own religious works, but is rooted in God’s eternal purpose which is brought to fruition through faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The phrase “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation” reveals the divine initiative in salvation. Before the foundation of the world, God purposed to save those who would believe in Jesus Christ. See Ephesians 1:4-5: “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,”
God’s choosing is based solely on His sovereign grace, making it clear that salvation is a gift, not something earned. Titus 3:5 reinforces this: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 Meaning
These verses explain two essential aspects of salvation: the work of the Holy Spirit and faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sanctification by the Spirit refers to the divine work of setting believers apart for God, bringing them from spiritual death to eternal life. Jesus Himself spoke of this in John 3:5-6: “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
The Spirit convicts the world of sin, draws sinners to Christ, and regenerates them upon belief in the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. See John 16:8 and John 6:44:
- John 16:8: “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”
- John 6:44: “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Belief in the Finished Work of Christ is not just an intellectual assent, but a heart trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, as can be seen in Romans 10:9: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Paul’s call to salvation comes through the preaching of the Gospel. See Romans 10:17: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The Good News—the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes. See 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and Romans 1:16:
- 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
- Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
This call is universal, as 1 Timothy 2:4 affirms that God “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” However, only those who respond in faith receive the salvation freely offered in Christ.
The ultimate purpose of salvation is “the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Believers are not only saved from sin and its penalty but are also destined to share in Christ’s glory in heaven. See Romans 8:17: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
This future glorification is secured by God’s promise, according to Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
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