Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2) We give thanks always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, (3) remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. (5) For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit And in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake .

The letter to the Thessalonians was written by the apostle Paul to encourage the faithful there in their steadfastness in the gospel in the face of persecution. In our verses today Paul omits mention of his being chosen to be an apostle by the will of God indicating that despite the shortness of time he spent with them the faithful Thessalonians never questioned the authority of Paul or the truth of the gospel. Paul was assured that they were beloved of God as he founded the church there and was able to compare their present condition to their past lifestyle; all evidence indicated their faith in Christ was real. The testimony of Paul was that the powerful movement of God accomplished the saving of souls

Verse 3 addresses the doctrine of election; that God has chosen men, not the other way around – a frequent theme in Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Election is a mystery hidden in the secret counsel of God and we can see the elect in the powerful way God has changed their lives. The doctrine of sin is that in our sinful nature we are not free and not able to choose God. Salvation is always and only of the Lord.

The only answer in Scripture as to election is that God does what He does; including the salvation of His elect and the judgment of other sinners to display His glory. He chose us to hear His gospel and respond in faith and gratitude.