2 Thessalonians 2:13
New International Version
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

New Living Translation
As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.

Berean Literal Bible
But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you, brothers beloved by the Lord, that God has chosen you from the beginning unto salvation in the sanctification of the Spirit, and by faith of the truth;

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

New American Standard Bible
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

NASB 1995
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

NASB 1977
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

Legacy Standard Bible
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

Amplified Bible
But we should and are [morally] obligated [as debtors] always to give thanks to God for you, believers beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through the sanctifying work of the Spirit [that sets you apart for God’s purpose] and by your faith in the truth [of God’s word that leads you to spiritual maturity].

Christian Standard Bible
But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But we must always thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

American Standard Version
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:

Contemporary English Version
My friends, the Lord loves you, and it is only natural for us to thank God for you. God chose you to be the first ones to be saved. His Spirit made you holy, and you put your faith in the truth.

English Revised Version
But we are bound to give thanks to God alway 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:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We always have to thank God for you, brothers and sisters. You are loved by the Lord and we thank God that in the beginning he chose you to be saved through a life of spiritual devotion and faith in the truth.

Good News Translation
We must thank God at all times for you, friends, you whom the Lord loves. For God chose you as the first to be saved by the Spirit's power to make you his holy people and by your faith in the truth.

International Standard Version
At all times we are obligated to thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God chose you to be the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through faith in the truth.

Majority Standard Bible
But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.

NET Bible
But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

New Heart English Bible
But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth;

Webster's Bible Translation
But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved by the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth:

Weymouth New Testament
And from us thanks are always due to God on your behalf--brethren whom the Lord loves--because God from the beginning has chosen you for salvation through the Spirit's sanctifying influence and your belief in the truth.

World English Bible
But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brothers, beloved by the LORD, that God chose you from the beginning to salvation, in sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth,

Berean Literal Bible
But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you, brothers beloved by the Lord, that God has chosen you from the beginning unto salvation in the sanctification of the Spirit, and by faith of the truth;

Young's Literal Translation
And we -- we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved by the Lord, that God did choose you from the beginning to salvation, in sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth,

Smith's Literal Translation
And we ought to return thanks to God always for you, brethren dearly beloved by the Lord, that God chose you from the beginning to salvation in consecration of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved of God, for that God hath chosen you firstfruits unto salvation, in sanctification of the spirit, and faith of the truth:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers, beloved of God, because God has chosen you as first-fruits for salvation, by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.

New American Bible
But we ought to give thanks to God for you always, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in truth.

New Revised Standard Version
But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, my brethren beloved of our LORD, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through holiness of the Spirit and through a true faith:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But we are indebted to thank God always for your persons, brethren, beloved of Our Lord, that God has chosen you from the beginning for Life by sanctification of The Spirit and by belief of the truth,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God did, from the beginning, choose you to salvation, by sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,

Godbey New Testament
But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning unto salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth;

Haweis New Testament
But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath elected you from the beginning unto salvation, by sanctification of the Spirit, and faith in the truth:

Mace New Testament
As for you, my brethren, the favourites of the Lord, we are oblig'd to render perpetual thanks to God, for having chosen you from the beginning, in purifying you by his spirit, upon your believing the gospel.

Weymouth New Testament
And from us thanks are always due to God on your behalf--brethren whom the Lord loves--because God from the beginning has chosen you for salvation through the Spirit's sanctifying influence and your belief in the truth.

Worrell New Testament
But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved by the Lord; because God, from the beginning, chose you to salvation, in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of truth;

Worsley New Testament
But we ought always to give thanks 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:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Stand Firm
12in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness. 13But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God has chosen 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.…

Cross References
Ephesians 1:4
For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love

1 Peter 1:2
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Romans 8:29-30
For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. / And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.

1 Thessalonians 1:4
Brothers who are beloved by God, we know that He has chosen you,

John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

1 Corinthians 1:2
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

2 Timothy 1:9
He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.

Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Romans 11:5
In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Acts 13:48
When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

Deuteronomy 7:6
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.

Isaiah 42:1
“Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.

Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Exodus 19:5-6
Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. / And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

we.

2 Thessalonians 1:3
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

See on

Romans 1:8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Romans 6:17
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

beloved.

2 Thessalonians 2:16
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

Deuteronomy 33:12
And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.

2 Samuel 12:25
And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

from.

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Proverbs 8:23
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

Isaiah 46:10
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

chosen.

Romans 8:33
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Romans 9:11
(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

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: …

through.

2 Thessalonians 2:10,12
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved…

Luke 1:75
In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

Jump to Previous
Alway Always Beginning Belief Beloved Bound Chose Chosen Due Faith Loved Ought Salvation Sanctification Sanctifying Saved Spirit Spirit's Thanks Truth
Jump to Next
Alway Always Beginning Belief Beloved Bound Chose Chosen Due Faith Loved Ought Salvation Sanctification Sanctifying Saved Spirit Spirit's Thanks Truth
2 Thessalonians 2
1. Paul urges them to continue stedfast in the truth received;
3. shows that there shall be a departure from the faith,
9. and a discovery of Antichrist, before the day of the Lord comes;
15. repeats his exhortation to stand firm, and prays for them.














But we should always thank God for you
This phrase emphasizes the importance of gratitude in the Christian life. The Greek word for "thank" is "εὐχαριστεῖν" (eucharistein), which is the root of the word "Eucharist," reflecting a deep sense of thanksgiving. The Apostle Paul models a life of constant gratitude, recognizing God's work in the lives of the Thessalonian believers. This gratitude is not occasional but perpetual, highlighting the continuous nature of Christian thankfulness.

brothers who are beloved by the Lord
The term "brothers" (ἀδελφοί, adelphoi) signifies a familial bond among believers, transcending biological ties and rooted in spiritual kinship. "Beloved by the Lord" underscores the profound love God has for His people. The Greek word for "beloved" is "ἠγαπημένοι" (ēgapēmenoi), derived from "ἀγάπη" (agapē), the highest form of love, indicating a selfless, sacrificial love that God extends to His children.

because God has chosen you from the beginning
The concept of being "chosen" (εἵλατο, heilato) reflects the doctrine of election, where God, in His sovereignty, selects individuals for salvation. "From the beginning" (ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, ap’ archēs) suggests God's eternal plan and foreknowledge, affirming that His purposes are established from eternity past. This choice is not based on human merit but solely on God's grace and purpose.

to be saved
Salvation (σωτηρία, sōtēria) is a central theme in Christian theology, encompassing deliverance from sin and its consequences. It is a gift from God, achieved through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The passive voice here indicates that salvation is an act of God upon the believer, not something one can achieve independently.

by the sanctification of the Spirit
"Sanctification" (ἁγιασμός, hagiasmos) refers to the process of being made holy, set apart for God's purposes. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life, transforming them into the likeness of Christ. This ongoing process begins at conversion and continues throughout the believer's life, emphasizing the Spirit's role in spiritual growth and maturity.

and by faith in the truth
"Faith" (πίστις, pistis) is the means by which believers receive God's promises. It involves trust and reliance on God and His Word. "In the truth" (ἐν ἀληθείᾳ, en alētheia) points to the gospel message, the ultimate truth revealed in Jesus Christ. Faith is not blind but is grounded in the reality of God's revelation, leading to a life of obedience and trust in His promises.

(13) But we are bound.--This may be called a recurrence to the subject dropped at 2Thessalonians 1:3. The pronoun is somewhat emphatic. It might have seemed more natural to have sharpened the contrast between the Thessalonian Christians and the unhappy people just mentioned by beginning "But you." It is, however, part of St. Paul's delicacy of sympathy to describe rather the effect upon himself and his two companions of observing that contrast. He sets himself to work the contrast out.

Beloved of the Lord.--Precisely the same phrase as in 1Thessalonians 1:4, except for the substitution of "the Lord" for "God," which shows the concurrence of the Eternal Son in His Father's predestinations. As in the former passage, the tense ("who have been loved") makes the reader think of the everlasting duration of that love (Jeremiah 31:3), and is again connected with the mystery of election.

"O love, who ere life's earliest dawn

On me thy choice hast gently laid."

Hath . . . chosen.--The Greek tense should be rendered by chose, referring to the definite moment (so to speak) in the divine counsels when the choice was fixed. This moment is defined as "from the beginning," i.e., from the eternity preceding the origin of time, called by the same name in Genesis 1:1, John 1:1, and 1John 1:1. It does not simply mean "from the outset," i.e., from the moment of first thinking at all about you. The identical phrase is said not to occur again in St. Paul. It may be noticed that there is a striking various-reading in some of the MSS., involving the change of only one letter, which would give us (instead of "chose you from the beginning") "chose you as firstfruits." Comp. James 1:18; but the reading in the text is better supported. . . .

Verse 13. - But; this may be considered as a simple particle of transition, or as containing a contrast to these alluded to in the previous verses. I thank God that you are not exposed to the delusions of the man of sin and to the destruction of his followers. We. By some restricted to Paul, and by others as including Silas and Timotheus (2 Thessalonians 1:1). Are bound to give thanks alway to God. Notwithstanding the disorders which had arisen in the Church of Thessalonica, Paul had abundant reason to thank God for his great grace vouchsafed to the Thessalonians, in retaining them in the gospel, and in enabling them to abound in faith and love. For you, brethren beloved of the Lord; that is, of Christ. In the former Epistle he calls them "beloved of God" (1 Thessalonians 1:4), here "of Christ;" one of the numerous indirect proofs in these Epistles of the 1)trinity of Christ. Because God hath from the beginning. Some valuable manuscripts read, "because God hath chosen you as firstfruits," and this rendering has been adopted by several eminent expositors (Jowett, Hofmann, Riggenbach); but the preponderance of authorities is in favour of the reading in our A.V. The phrase, "from the beginning, does not denote "from the beginning' of the gospel," but "from eternity." The apostle refers the salvation of the Thessalonians to the eternal election of God. Chosen you to salvation - the final purpose of God's election. Through; or rather, in, denoting the elements in which the salvation consisted, or, which is the same thing, the state into which they were chosen. Sanctification of the Spirit - the Divine side - and belief of the truth - the human side of the element in which the salvation was realized.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

we
Ἡμεῖς (Hēmeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

should
ὀφείλομεν (opheilomen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 3784: Or, its prolonged form opheileo probably from the base of ophelos; to owe; figuratively, to be under obligation; morally, to fail in duty.

always
πάντοτε (pantote)
Adverb
Strong's 3842: Always, at all times, ever. From pas and hote; every when, i.e. At all times.

thank
εὐχαριστεῖν (eucharistein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2168: From eucharistos; to be grateful, i.e. to express gratitude; specially, to say grace at a meal.

God
Θεῷ (Theō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

for
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

you,
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

brothers
ἀδελφοὶ (adelphoi)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

who are loved
ἠγαπημένοι (ēgapēmenoi)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 25: To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.

by
ὑπὸ (hypo)
Preposition
Strong's 5259: A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).

[the] Lord,
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

because
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

has chosen
εἵλατο (heilato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 138: To choose, prefer. Probably akin to airo; to take for oneself, i.e. To prefer.

you
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

from
ἀπ᾽‿ (ap᾽)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

[the] beginning
ἀρχῆς (archēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 746: From archomai; a commencement, or chief.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

be saved
σωτηρίαν (sōtērian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4991: Feminine of a derivative of soter as noun; rescue or safety.

by
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] sanctification
ἁγιασμῷ (hagiasmō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 38: From hagiazo; properly, purification, i.e. purity; concretely a purifier.

of [the] Spirit
Πνεύματος (Pneumatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[by] faith
πίστει (pistei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

in [the] truth.
ἀληθείας (alētheias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 225: From alethes; truth.


Links
2 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV
2 Thessalonians 2:13 NLT
2 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV
2 Thessalonians 2:13 NASB
2 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV

2 Thessalonians 2:13 BibleApps.com
2 Thessalonians 2:13 Biblia Paralela
2 Thessalonians 2:13 Chinese Bible
2 Thessalonians 2:13 French Bible
2 Thessalonians 2:13 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to always give (2 Thess. 2 Thes. 2Th iiTh ii th)
2 Thessalonians 2:12
Top of Page
Top of Page