2:13a

But: The Greek word de, which the BSB translates But, can mean different things. There are two possibilities here:

1. It indicates that this is a new section and topic for Paul. In English versions, this usually means that the word is left untranslated. (GNT, NLT, CEV, NCV, GW, REB, SSA)

2. It indicates a contrast with something in the previous section and should be translated “but.” (BSB, NIV, RSV, NET, NASB, KJV, NJB)

Commentators agree that Paul began a new section here. He stopped talking about the coming of the Wicked Person (“man of lawlessness”) and began to instruct the believers at Thessalonica directly. So it is recommended that you follow the first option (1) and use a natural way in your language to signal a new section.

we should always thank God for you: See the note on 1:3a.

brothers who are loved by the Lord: This is an example of a vocative phrase, that is, a term of direct address to someone. Consider what would be the natural position in the sentence for this in your language. In some languages, vocative phrases come at the beginning of a sentence. In other languages, they can occur elsewhere in the sentence. See the note on “brothers loved by God” in 1 Thessalonians 1:4.

Here Paul was reassuring the believers that Jesus loved them. He was not saying that they were a special group of believers whom Jesus loved and that there were other believers whom Jesus did not love.

brothers: See the note on 1:3a

the Lord: Nearly every commentator agrees that the Lord here refers to the Lord Jesus rather than to God.

2:13b

because God has chosen you from the beginning: The Greek word which the BSB translates as has chosen is aireomai. It means “to select something for a purpose.” Paul was reminding the Thessalonians that God had selected them for his own purpose. Paul said that purpose was so that they might “be saved” (2:13c).

from the beginning: There is a textual problem with this expression. There are two options:

1. Some early Greek manuscripts have the phrase ap’ archēs. This literally means from the beginning. This is supported by the majority of commentators.For a discussion of this alternative, see also Callow, p. 78 and Best, p. 314. (BSB, NIV, REV, NET, GW, KJV, NASB, NCV, NJB, SSA, REB)

2. Other early Greek manuscripts use the word aparchēn. This means “as his first fruits.”If you decide to follow alternative (2), here is a suggested translation for 2:13b: We…thank God… because he picked you out from the others in Thessalonica to be among the first to be rescued from the power and results of sin. (GNT, NRSV, NLT, CEV)

It is not possible to be sure which of these possibilities is correct. However because most translations follow the first option (1), it is recommended that you also use from the beginning in your translation. You can place the alternative in a footnote if you wish.

Most commentators agree that the phrase from the beginning refers to the beginning of time, when God created the world. You may need to supply this implied information in your translation.

2:13c

to be saved: Paul here gives the purpose for God’s choice of the Thessalonians: It was so that they might be saved from the eternal destruction that the unbelievers will suffer (2:12a).

by the sanctification of the Spirit: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates literally as by the sanctification of spirit, along with 2:13d, explains the means by which God saved the Thessalonians. Here is another way to translate this:

through the sanctifying work of the Spirit (NIV)

the sanctification of the Spirit: Once a person becomes a Christian, the Holy Spirit begins his work of sanctification in them. This is a process that lasts as long as the believer lives and that will only be fully completed when Jesus returns. It refers to the work that the Holy Spirit does in someone’s life to make him more holy/pure, more like God wants him to be. See sanctify in KBT under the term “holy” and in the glossary under “sanctify,” meaning 2.

of the Spirit: Most commentators agree that this refers to the Holy Spirit.

2:13d

by faith in the truth: This is the second means by which God saves people. Paul was contrasting the Thessalonians who had believed the true message about Jesus with those who will be condemned because they have “disbelieved the truth” (2:12a).