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: But. In delightful contrast to the damnation of the lost (2 Thessalonians 2:12) stands the "salvation" of Paul's converts.
Are bound (2 Thessalonians 1:3).
Thanks ... to God - not to ourselves, ministers, nor to you, converts.
Beloved of the Lord - Jesus (Romans 8:37; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:2; Ephesians 5:25). Elsewhere God the Father is said to love us (2 Thessalonians 2:16; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12). Therefore Jesus and the Father are one.
From the beginning (Ephesians 1:4: cf. 1 Corinthians 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:9) - in contrast to those that 'worship the beast, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world' (Revelation 13:8). 'Aleph (') Delta f g read х ap' (G575) arches (G746)] 'from the beginning.' But B G, Vulgate [aparchen], 'as first-fruit.' The Thessalonians were among the first converts in Europe (cf. Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:15; Revelation 14:4). In a general sense, in James 1:18. Perhaps so here: as the Thessalonians were not the first believers in Macedonia.
Chosen you, х heilato (G138)] (nowhere else in Paul's letters) - not the ordinary х exelexato (G1586)] "elated," implying selection; but taken for Himself, implying His having adopted them in His eternal purpose (Septuagint; Deuteronomy 7:7; Deuteronomy 10:15).
Through - Greek. 'IN sanctification:' the element in which the choice to salvation had place (cf. 1 Peter 1:2); in contrast to "unrighteousness," the element in which Antichrist's followers are given over by God to damnation (2 Thessalonians 2:12).
Of (worked by) the Spirit - who sanctifies all the elect, first by eternal consecration to perfect holiness in Christ, once for all; next by progressively imparting it.
Belief of the truth - contrasted with "believed not the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:12).