“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. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.”-{2 Thess 2:13-15}

“Stand firm,”-  Literally means, ‘Remain Stationary’ or to persevere. {Read 1 Thess 3:8}. “Stand fast, which implies a firm persuasion of mind and constant purpose of will, and stands opposite to hesitation and despondency. ” -{Matthew Poole,} It is  a military command.  As  an officer speaking to soldiers {Read as in 1 Cor 16:13; Eph 6:14.} . Persevere in the faith of The Teachings and to the practice of them. Keep persevering. Do this and keep on doing this! And as they see , believe what He has done for them they can draw motivation to continue standing firm in the conflict they as well as we too face!

Earlier Paul had told them not to be moved or shaken from their composure -{2 Thess 2:2} Now, he commands them to continually “stand firm” and “hold fast” that is to have a masterful, firm grip. It is not passivity, but a command to do this. It is faith in action!

This is a continuous command. Not a once off, but continually live with this attitude and action! We could say “Keep standing firm.” It does not mean we are above difficulties, tears, but in it we affirm by faith, God is God, Good, wise and working it all out for good, including these difficulties. And we trust Him in our trials and therefore by faith we choose to follow Him and “keep standing form” on His Word and character! David while been chased by Saul who wanted to kill him, was hiding in a cave and said, “My heart is steadfast O God, my heart is steadfast, I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.” – {Psalm 57:7}

Paul calls the believers who in verse 3 he warns against been shaken due to the difficulties they face! And his concern is their spiritual stability, to be able to stand against all the onslaughts they face and he gives them reasons to be able to stand and be inwardly strengthened, which what is needed and called for, through various aspects of  God’s provision for them.

He turns them to Him and His truth for them! “Stand firm,” – How?

“…hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.” KEEP STANDING FIRM, by Holding to the truth, His Word! “Stand Firm {Fast,}” refers to a “location.” And that is upon the Word of God!  The word “tradition,’ as used here means,”things handed down!” Both the authoritative word of the apostles and the letters of the apostles! “Stand firm!”

He begins with what he sees as their responsibility, delight in Thanking God “always” in light of who God is and what He has done. Thanking God. He gives specific reasons for thanking Him. He is not vague, but specific, in his giving of thanks to God for them- His followers. Note, he thanks God first, for them, because whatever “good” there is in a person’s life, has, and is brought about by Him. God is the source of change in a person’s life and therefore the Object of the giving of thanks!

 

He thanks God for them, and HE informs them that they are…

1.LOVED of God –  “brethren beloved of God.” Literally, “having been loved.” {Agape.} It’s written in the perfect tense, past action that has continuous results! He begins with a declaration of the love God has for them! “Brethren,” an evidence of His love, which speaks of coming forth from the same New birth, which God has caused through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead – {Read 1 Peter 1:3}. They are Loved by God and they need to know and as we, have need, to be reminded. This will help them in their being strengthened and standing firm – God Loves them!  And this is reason for Paul to give thanks to God, for them.

2.CHOSEN by God – The word used here is “haireomai” literally ,”He chose you for Himself.” {middle voice}. The idea of God’s eternal purpose of adoption, He takes them to be His own. {Read Deut 7:7-8; 10:15}. “Because God  has CHOSEN you from the beginning.” How marvelous that  they nor you were not a second  choice, but selected, elected, picked out, called out, from available alternatives and this by God HIMSELF, WHO INITIATED THIS LOVE OF CHOICE TOWARDS YOU AND NOT AFTER YOU WERE PHYSICALLY Born, or His waiting to see if they or you would “choose” Him but He chose them “before the foundation of the world,”- {Read Eph 1:4}. “God has CHOSEN you from the beginning…” Think on His love, His intimacy with you, before he spoke the world into existence, before the birds first flew in the expanse of the heavens, before the oceans were called into being and teemed with fish, God already Had chosen you for Himself!  Stand firm in His Choice of you! And His choice of you is reason for Paul to give thanks to God!

3. SAVED by God – ” … has chosen you from the beginning for salvation …” For Salvation. Salvation from the power and bondage of sin. Salvation from satan’s evil, wicked authority. Salvation from the penalty of sin. Salvation from the “wrath of God.” Salvation from… But always TO Something. TO a right Relationship with God through Jesus Christ including forgiveness of all sins through the precious blood of Jesus Christ, adopted into the family of God accepted totally, irrevocably forever “in The Beloved.” God Saved, rescued, delivered them from the danger of sin’s penalty and satan’s grip …TO… reconciliation with God Himself! Saved by God… should produce Gratitude, thanks to God and strengthened to stand firm!”

4. SANCTIFIED by God – ” salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” This salvation  comes through the “sanctification by the Spirit.” The Spirit of God is not an “it,” but a Person and is involved in your life, convicting of sin, opening your mind to understand the truth and empowering you to live this new life. Sanctified by the Spirit, is His work setting you apart to Him and to be useful  in serving Him!  Sanctified by Him and “‘faith in the truth.” Literally “belief of the truth.” In contrast to those “who believe not the truth.”-{Read 2 Thess 2:12}. His Word is used to bring about salvation and this sanctification that changes a person. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the words of Christ.” “… if you continue in My Word then you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you Free… His Word is able to Build you up…” His Word Jesus said is what He used to reveal Himself  to the two despondent disciples on the road to Emmaus! Followers of the Lord Jesus are those who put their confidence in His truth!  The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to reveal and cause thanksgiving to arise in our hearts as we consider the wonder of His eternal generosity, His Grace! “Stand Firm” in God’s provision of His Spirit and Truth. His Word reveals Him, His ways, and reasons to be Thankful To God… and strength to stand firm! A Solid eternal foundation! “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”– {Read Matt 7:24}. NOTE the SPIRIT of GOD and the TRUTH go together! The Spirit of God stirs up the reasons through the Word of God to inform us and give reasons for gratitude and to “stand firm” in tough times!

5. CALL of God –  This is the work of God, that He does. This call to salvation, that is irresistible by God to save a soul whom He has chosen!

6.GOSPEL of God – “It was for this He called you through our gospel…” Through the message this came. The “Gospel.” The Glorious good news to those who sat in spiritual darkness Gospel. ” For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”-{1 Corinthians 15:3-4 }. Paul wrote, ” For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”-{Rom 1:16}.

“(A) The gospel of Jesus (Mark 1:1; 1 Cor. 9:12) and the gospel of His Son (Rom. 1:9). These two descriptions speak of the good news of salvation that comes through the Person and work of Jesus Christ who is the very Son of God in human flesh. Again, this is the good news of deliverance from sin’s penalty, power, and presence through the two advents of Christ.

(B) The gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24) emphasizes that salvation in all of its aspects is on the basis of grace rather than on some meritorious system of works.

(C) The gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 4:23; 9:35; 24:14) is the good news that God will establish His kingdom on earth through the two advents of the Lord Jesus Christ.

(D) The gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15) describes how this good news of salvation in Christ brings peace in all its many aspects (peace with God, the peace of God, peace with others, and world peace) through the victory accomplished by the Savior.

(E) The eternal or everlasting gospel (Rev. 14:6)…”In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.  “-{Col 1:6}. “The Gospel of Peace...”-{Eph 6:15}. “the Gospel of Hope“-{Col 1:23}… The Gospel of Truth {Col 1:4}…Thanking God… for salvation and the Gospel… Stand Firm in The Gospel.

7.  DESTINED FOR GLORIFICATION!- “GAIN THE GLORY.” -the Believer’s glorification – “To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain{GAIN} the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  “That is the goal of our salvation: sharing in the glory of Christ forever and ever.”-{Piper}. This is the end of the Gospel call. {Read John 17:22; Rom 8:17}. “Gain the glory,”= the ultimate end of the process of this salvation is the glorification of the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ!

8.  “STAND FIRM” – On The Word Of God! – {v 15} – “Stand firm,” refers to a location, and that is His Word. “SO THEN {Therefore }, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.”

In light of what he had written up to this point, he wants the believers to know “why,” they must continually, “stand firm,” and not be shaken, moved, vacillate, fearful, doubting, anxious, no matter how the evil one tries to destabilize you.

“Stand firm” and “hold ” onto the “teachings,” {paradoseis}. It refers to truth which having been received must be faithfully passed on. The Truth of God! He reminds them of the “blessings” and incentives they have been gifted by God to do so.

“STAND FIRM”– So not to be shaken or troubled. -{Read  2 Thess 2;2}. How? “HOLD,” onto and don’t let go of the TRUTH! Know it, think on it, do it!

  • Stand Firm- Because of the Opposition, persecutions, tribulations-{ 2 Thess 1:4}
  • Stand Firm – Because of Coming Judgment – { 2 Thess 1;8}.
  • Stand Firm – because of the strength of coming deception- {2 Thess 2:9}
  • Stand Firm – because of our  Glorious Future Destination -{ 2 Thess 2:14}
  • Stand Firm – On the Word of God, for a solid foundation!
  • Stand Firm – He reminds them of the “blessings,” and incentives they have been gifted by God to do so. Think on Him, Thank Him for these incentives from God, of being Loved, Chosen, Saved, Sanctified, Called, Gospel, Glorification, His Word.

“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. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.”-{2 Thess 2:13-15}.