13 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. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 (ESV)
Reminding all of us the content of today’s text encompasses many themes and doctrines the Apostle Paul previously mentioned to the Thessalonian believers. Take note of the following outline and cross references.
For “we are obliged to give thanks to God always for you” (2 Thess. 1:3). For “brothers beloved by the Lord” (1 Thess. 1:4). For “because God chose you” (1 Thess. 1:4). For “salvation” (1 Thess. 5:8, 9). For “sanctification” (1 Thess. 4:3, 7). For “belief” (2 Thess. 1:3, 4, 11; 1 Thess. 1:3). For “truth” (2 Thess. 2:10, 12). For “calling” (1 Thess. 1:5; 2:12; 4:7; 5:24). For “with a view to obtaining” (1 Thess. 5:9). For “glory” (1 Thess. 2:12). For “our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 1:1).[1]
First, Paul was grateful for the Thessalonians. The Lord Jesus Christ loved them. Second, the apostle was grateful for God the Father’s choosing them to be saved. Third, the Lord’s love and the Father’s choosing would coincide with the sanctificationby the Holy Spirit. The Savior’s love, the Father’s choice, and the Spirit’s sanctification of each believer would be for the individual’s trust, commitment, dependence and honor of the truth of God.
The Apostle Paul stated God the Father purposed of all this to call sinners to unto salvation. The word called (ἐκάλεσεν; ekalesen) is an aorist, active singular verb. At a particular point in real time, God actively and individually summons or invites a sinner into a covenant relationship of salvation. This deliverance is from the penalty, power and eventual presence of sin. It is an irrevocable, effectual and irresistible call (John 6:37, 44; Rom. 11:29). God’s call for sinners unto salvation is grounded and rooted in His immutable and unchanging nature.
The means by which God calls sinners is the gospel or the good news of the person and work of Jesus Christ. The ultimate purpose of God’s call is for sinners to “obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” To obtain (περιποίησιν; peripoiesin) means to experience, possess and to acquire something. Glory (δόξης; doxes) refers to splendor and honor. Both glory and honor are sourced in the Lord Jesus Christ.
“We will obtain the glory of Christ in that we will share in His glorified body, bearing His image fully in perfected, glorified bodies (1 Cor. 15:49; I John 3:1-3). In turn, this will redound to the glory of God, for we are saved and glorified only because He has chosen us and has atoned for our sin in Christ. Salvation is in no way of ourselves, but God chooses us, sovereignly grants us faith, and guarantees that we will exercise trust in Him,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
John Calvin writes, “For the sons of God are not called otherwise than to the belief of the truth. Paul, however, meant to shew here how competent a witness he is for confirming that thing of which he was a minister. He accordingly puts himself forward as a surety, that the Thessalonians may not doubt that the gospel, in which they had been instructed by him, is the safety-bringing voice of God, by which they are aroused from death, and are delivered from the tyranny of Satan. He calls it his gospel, not as though it had originated with him, but inasmuch as the preaching of it had been committed to him.”
“What he adds, to the acquisition or possession of the glory of Christ, may be taken either in an active or in a passive signification — either as meaning, that they are called in order that they may one day possess a glory in common with Christ, or that Christ acquired them with a view to his glory. And thus, it will be a second means of confirmation that he will defend them, as being nothing less than his own inheritance, and, in maintaining their salvation, will stand forward in defense of his own glory; which latter meaning, in my opinion, suits better.”
Believers in Christ are no longer destined for judgment, but for glory. The judgment for their sin occurred at the cross (Col. 2:13-15). May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of I-II Thessalonians, vol. 3, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 187.
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