But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
Beloved. Appositely introduced: LOVE prompts me in the strong warnings I have just given; not that I entertain unfavourable thoughts of you; nay, I anticipate better things of you ('the things which are better'); that ye are not thorn-bearing, nigh unto cursing, and doomed unto burning, but heirs of salvation in accordance with God's faithfulness (Hebrews 6:10).
We are persuaded - on good grounds: by proofs х pepeismetha (G3982) stronger than pepoithamen]. Compare Romans 15:14. A confirmation of the Pauline authorship of this letter.
Things that accompany, х echomena (G2192) sooteerias (G4991)] - 'things that hold by;' i:e., are linked unto salvation (cf. Hebrews 6:19). In opposition to "nigh unto cursing."
Though, х ei-kai (G1499)] - 'if even we thus speak.' 'It is better to make you afraid with words, that ye suffer not in fact' (Chrysostom).