2 Thessalonians 2:13

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

But we ought to thank God for you always, brothers [who are] dearly loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning [Note: Some manuscripts use the Greek word for “first fruits” instead of “beginning” here, but it is difficult to know in what sense the Thessalonian Christians were “first”], in order to be saved through being set apart by the Holy Spirit and through belief of the truth [of the Gospel].

Cross References

2 Timothy 1:9

[It is] God who saved us and called us to live holy lives [or, “to be dedicated people”], not as a result of our [good] deeds, but in harmony with His own purpose and unearned favor. [This was] given to us through [the atoning work of] Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time. [Note: Salvation through Christ was planned before time began. See Titus 1:2; Rom. 16:25; Eph. 1:4].

1 Thessalonians 5:9

For God did not appoint us to [suffer His] wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ

1 Thessalonians 1:4

We know, my brothers who are dearly loved by God, about your election [i.e., that you were chosen by God because of your obedient faith],

2 Thessalonians 1:3

We ought to thank God for you always, brothers, since it is proper, because your faith is growing so much and the love that every one of you has for each other is increasing more and more.

Romans 9:11

– See Verse 12

Acts 13:48

And when the Gentiles heard this they were glad and gave honor to the message of God [i.e., they accepted it as true]. And all those who were appointed [by God] to receive never ending life [through faith and obedience] became believers.

1 John 4:10

Here is [the essence of] love: [It is] not that we loved God [first], but that He loved us [See Rom. 5:6-8] and sent His Son to be a “covering over” [see 2:2] of our sins.

2 Thessalonians 2:12

in order that all those who have not believed the truth, but have taken pleasure in wrongdoing, would be condemned.

Ephesians 2:8

For you have been saved by God’s unearned favor, through [your] faith, and that [salvation] was not the result of your own doing; it was the gift from God.

1 John 4:19

We love [God and others] because God has first loved us.

James 1:18

It was God’s purpose to bring us into being [spiritually] by the message of truth, so that we could become a kind of “first fruits” of those He created. [Note: “First fruits” here suggests either that Christians are the best of all of God’s creatures (Num. 18:12), or that they were the first to be converted, with many more to come].

2 Thessalonians 2:16

Now, may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us never ending encouragement and good hope through [His] unearned favor,

Colossians 1:5

[You have these qualities] because of the hope stored up for you in heaven, which [hope] you previously heard about through the message of truth when the Gospel

Galatians 3:1

You foolish people [of the churches] of Galatia [Note: This was a province in present-day Turkey], who tricked you? Was not Jesus Christ graphically portrayed before you as being put to death on a cross?

Acts 15:9

And He did not discriminate between us [i.e., Jews] and them [i.e., Gentiles], cleansing their hearts [also] by faith [in Jesus].

Hebrews 1:10

And [Psa. 102:25-27 says], “Lord, in the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hand.

2 Timothy 3:15

And [remember] that, from childhood, you have known the sacred Scriptures which are able to make you wise [enough] to be saved through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:15

Do your best to present yourself as a worker who is approved by God [and] does not have to be ashamed, [because you are] accurately handling [i.e., explaining] the message of truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:10

and all kinds of wicked deception toward those people who are perishing [spiritually], because they refused to love the truth so they could be saved.

Romans 8:33

Who will bring an accusation against God’s chosen people? [Certainly not God, for] He makes people right with Himself.

Romans 6:17

Thank God that you people, who were once slaves to [the practice of] sin, became obedient from [your] heart to the pattern of teaching [i.e., the Gospel message] you committed yourself to.

John 14:6

Jesus answered him, “I am the way [to God], and the truth [to believe], and the life [to live]. No one can go to the Father, except through [believing in] me.

John 1:1

The Word [already] existed in the beginning [of time]. [Note: This is a reference to the preexistence of Jesus. See verse 14]. And the Word was with God and the Word was [what] God [was].

Luke 1:75

by living holy and righteous lives before Him all of our days.

Colossians 3:12

So, as God’s elect [i.e., His people], holy and dearly loved [by Him], clothe yourselves with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

1 Corinthians 1:21

For since, according to God’s [true] wisdom, the world did not know about Him through its wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe [in Christ] through the “foolishness” of the message preached.

1 Thessalonians 2:12

and urging you to live up to the standards of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and splendor.

1 Thessalonians 4:7

For God did not call us to be morally impure, but to be dedicated to Him.