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miniature. The Apostle's thanksgiving covers the whole work of salvation from the
eternal choice of God to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ in the world
to come."
What does the Apostle mean by "from the beginning"? If he alluded to the earliest
days of his preaching at Thessalonica we should have expected a phrase like `the
beginning of the gospel' (Phil. 4: 15). As it stands, he doubtless meant the choice of
God at the beginning of His great redemptive purpose. However there is an alternative
reading which is interesting. "From the beginning" is ap' arches. The R.V. in the
margin says "many ancient authorities read `as firstfruits'." This would be aparchen,
which looks similar to ap' arches. Aparchen is adopted by the Nestlè Greek text and the
meaning would then be in line with James 1: 18:
"Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of
firstfruits of His creatures."
Actually this describes just what the Pentecostal churches were, that is, a firstfruits of
the earthly kingdom. The longsuffering of God was still waiting for the obedience of
the people of Israel to "repent and turn again" as commanded through Peter's lips
(Acts 3: 19-26). Those who did respond were an earnest of the coming kingdom. Had
the whole nation been obedient, that kingdom could have come and the world blessed
through Israel as the kingdom of priests, the Divine channel of blessing.
The word `salvation' in this context cannot be restricted to salvation from sin. The
Apostle links with it sanctification wrought by the Spirit, a separation from Satan's
sphere of domination and deception which the previous verses have described, and he
adds `and belief of the truth'. This is in sharp contrast to the `lie' and its outworking in
the miracles and wonders performed through Satan's power by the man of sin, and those
who are deceived and do not `love the truth', but willingly reject it. The faithful
Thessalonian believers would be preserved unto salvation at the Lord's Coming.
The Apostle continues:
"Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught,
whether by word, or our epistle."
Therefore, ara oun, is the practical conclusion to the preceding verses. "Accordingly
then stand fast." Steko which is derived from the perfect active of histemi, to stand, in its
N.T. usage generally has the meaning of `stand fast' and not wavering.
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free" (Gal. 5: 1).
". . . . . I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit . . . . ." (Phil. 1: 27).
"So stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved" (Phil. 4: 1).
Krateo is often translated to `lay hold on' (Mark 3: 21; 6: 17; 12: 12). It means to
have a masterful grip on a thing and in this context `to hold fast' to the traditions which
the Thessalonian believers had been taught. Paradosis (tradition) has an ominous sound
to many Bible students. The Lord Jesus solemnly warned the Pharisees of rejecting and