But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
Comment: Prior to these people to whom Paul, Silas and Timothy are writing there were no followers of Jesus in Thessalonica. There were Jews in the area, some of whom, when they heard Paul’s message, believed (trusted) in Him, others instead persecuted the believers! Some Gentiles became believers. But these believers, Jews and Gentiles, were the basis on which the church was ‘founded’. The people chose to follow Jesus, but Paul reminds them that God was involved, in that He also chose them. Paul tells them to stand up straight, stiffen their backbones, be strong in the Faith. Dogma, here called traditions clearly told to them initially by both Paul and his crew, and was since reinforced in these (and maybe other) letters from Paul! Paul says, ‘Don’t by your own initiative, or by others pressuring you, dare alter the truth of the message which you have received from us!’ Paul then prays for them – comfort and that they would be established in every good work and word!
Prayer: Please don’t allow me to wander from Your True Word.
As I read it! 