2Th 2:13. Ημεῖς δέ, but we) Comfort after the prediction of mournful events. So 2Ti 2:19. It may be said, What need was there of comfort at that time to the Thessalonians? Ans. The mystery of iniquity was even then in operation; and instruction may be equally derived from the distant future, as from the remote past, 1Co 10:1, et seqq.-ὀφείλομεν, we are bound) ch. 2Th 1:3.-ὑπὸ Κυρίου, by the Lord) Christ.-εἳλετο-ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς) He does not say ἐξελέξατο, but in this one place, and on this subject, he uses εἳλετο. That effect was produced by the success of evangelical calling; and yet there is added, from the beginning, i.e. from eternity, comp. 1Jn 1:1, because believers are fortified and claimed as such by the eternal decree, Eph 1:4, in opposition to those who worship the Man of Sin, Rev 13:8. Comp. Deu 7:7; Deu 10:15, προείλετο Κύριος ὑμᾶς καὶ ἐξελέξατο, the Lord preferred and chose you, etc. Ibid. Deu 26:18, האמירך, has avouched (εἵλετο, has taken to Himself) thee this day to be His peculiar (περιούσιον) people. The decree is truly from eternity, as truly as the generation of the Son of God is from eternity: yet the decree is one thing, the generation is another.[21]-ἐν ἁγιασμῷ Πνεύματος, in sanctification of the Spirit) The Holy Spirit sanctifies us, and sanctification is the test of election, 1Pe 1:2.
[21] Just as God’s decree and His eternal adoption of believers are distinct things.-ED.