But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of [the] Lord, that God has chosen you from [the] beginning to salvation in sanctification of [the] Spirit and belief of [the] truth
Read Full Chapter →Commentary for this Verse
Paul has just described a world deceived and judged for refusing the truth. Now he turns and thanks God for the Thessalonians. One sentence holds God's eternal choice, the Spirit's work, and the believer's faith. How far back does that choice reach? And why does Paul name sanctification before belief?
A deliberate contrast
Paul places this thanksgiving here on purpose. Just above, he described people who welcomed the lie. These believers are their opposite, so they need not fear the day of judgment.
The Christian's FriendThe day of the Lord, then, will be a day of judgment, and those whom antichrist has deceived — willingly deceived — will be caught in it. But what were the people Paul wrote to? They were beloved of the Lord. God chose them from the beginning to salvation... How marked is the difference between them and those in Christendom who will be swept into the coming judgment. Could the beloved of the Lord be objects of His unsparing judgment? The refutation of the error was complete.
How far back God's choice goes
William Kelly takes "the beginning" as far back as it can go. He also weighs the verb "chose" itself.
William KellyThe context appears to decide that we must take "from the beginning" in the largest sense. It does not mean only from the start of the gospel, or from Christ's appearing on earth. It means from of old, from everlasting. "Chose" is also somewhat unusual here: not so much chose out from others as chose for Himself. This is sweet and comforting to a believer whom true repentance has made nothing in his own eyes. If human nature takes it up, it turns into pride and hardness without a drop of real consolation.
Commentators differ on how far back "the beginning" reaches. Leslie M. Grant ties the phrase to the time the Son of God appeared on earth. He reads the stress differently: "it seems the emphasis is that there could be no change in their position, for they had been chosen long before." Greek copies differ here by a single letter, and the ESV follows the other reading: "as the firstfruits." William Kelly rejects that reading: "Of what could the Thessalonian saints be firstfruits? Not even of Macedonia, since the Philippians were earlier."
Sanctification before belief
Paul names the Spirit's setting apart first, then faith. This is not holiness of life growing after conversion. It is what makes a sinner into a saint at the start.
William KellySanctification of the Spirit means that mighty separating act of the Holy Spirit that first sets a soul apart to God in a living way. And so faith of the truth goes with it. Practical holiness is the consequence... Here it is rather the great principle and power that goes with conversion to God, so generally overlooked... It is that work which meets a man while he is a sinner, and by grace makes him a saint. People are willing to allow it afterwards in practice, but are afraid to own it at the starting point.
Three ways the word is used
Scripture uses the word "sanctification" in two other senses too. Keeping them apart clears up much confusion.
Leslie M. GrantSalvation is in view here. God accomplishes it through sanctification of the Spirit (His internal work in the soul) and belief of the truth (the soul's response to Him in faith)... Sanctification by the blood of Christ is positional. God sets the believer apart in his position by the shedding of the blood of Christ (Heb. 10). Sanctification by the truth (John 17) is progressive, dealing with a daily, practical setting apart of the saints to God.
Purpose, effect, and means
The verse has three layers: what God intended, what He produced, and how He did it.
J. N. Darby"Chosen you to salvation" — that is the object God purposed in Himself. "In sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth" — that is the effect produced in the elect, in keeping with God's purpose. "Our gospel" — that is the means God used to produce that effect.
Why this gives security
What does this choice mean for the person who believes? W. T. P. Wolston answers with a picture of a gate.
W. T. P. WolstonSuppose I go up to a gate. On it I find written, "Whoever will may enter." I say, "That's free enough; I'll go inside." "But how do you know it means you?" It says "whoever" — that means me, and anybody. I touch the door and it swings open. I enter, and the door closes. On the inside I see written, "Whoever gets inside this door never gets out." Election secures this. God takes good care that the soul who believes His word will never be lost... The two things, sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, are inseparable; where one is, the other must be.
Summary
- Chosen — God's choice runs back before time, and the verb means chosen for Himself. It comforts a humbled believer, but human nature turns it into pride.
- Separated — the Spirit's act meets a man while he is a sinner and sets him apart to God. Practical holiness follows later.
- Believing — the Spirit's work and faith are inseparable. Where one is, the other must be.
- Called — salvation is God's purpose. Sanctification and faith are the effect. The gospel is the means He used.
- Secure — the beloved of the Lord are the opposite of the deceived. They cannot be objects of the judgment Paul has just described.