Though Paul had to address 2nd coming speculations circulating in the Thessalonian church and the enormities of the Man of Lawlessness, his real exhortation comes in these ensuing verses. He calls us back to the work of the Trinity in our salvation: God chooses us, the Lord (Jesus) loves us, and the Spirit makes us holy and leads us to believe in the truth that we may obtain the glory of Christ. Because eternal salvation is entirely God’s decision and doing, Paul calls us to grip firmly and hold to the traditions (Scripture) that we have been taught. Moreover, because we are ineffective in our own strength, Paul asks God on our behalf to comfort our hearts in all of this and establish them in every good work and word.