Lest, having heard about faith, they become puffed up, as though they themselves had contributed something, he gives them to understand that this too is from God. "To which He also called you," he says. For what purpose? To be saved through sanctification and faith, so that, although you believed, this is the grace of the One who called. For if He had not called you through our gospel, how would you have heard? It is also no small thing that Christ considers your salvation His own glory. For the glory of the Lover of mankind is that many be saved. And who would not be zealous for His glory, that is, for their own salvation?
2 Thess. 2:15. Therefore, brethren, stand firm and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by our epistle.
From this it is clear that the apostles transmitted much without letters as well, through the word, that is, by living speech, and not only through epistles. Meanwhile, both the one and the other are equally trustworthy. Therefore we must also recognize Church Tradition as trustworthy. There is Tradition — seek nothing more. Here the apostle also shows that there were many who were wavering in the faith.
2 Thess. 2:16. Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God and our Father, who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,
2 Thess. 2:17. May He comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and deed.
After the exhortation follows prayer, for in this truly consists the help given to others. The apostle speaks as if to say: I said, stand firm; but all things are from God. Where then are those who demean the Son because in baptism He is named after the Father? Behold, here it is the opposite: the apostle named the Son first. "Who gave," he says, "everlasting consolation." What is this consolation? Hope, he says, for the future. It—the hope of future blessings—sustains our hearts when they waver in temptations. God gave it to us not according to merits, but by grace. The apostle said this to humble their pride. Do you see how through prayer he encourages their hearts, presenting a guarantee and sign of God's providence toward them? For if to those who labored not at all He granted consolation, how much more will He grant it to those who labor for the faith. Therefore, be in full hope. "May He comfort," he says, "your hearts and establish you in every good word and deed," that is, through every good deed and word. For the consolation of a Christian consists in doing something useful and pleasing to God. Or: may He establish you in right doctrines and good works, whatever may happen. Such is consolation. One who is established in faith and life, no matter how much he suffers, endures everything courageously and is not led astray; for the preservation of right doctrines assures him of receiving future blessings, and a good life brings joy in that he suffers not as an evildoer, but as a servant of God.