9. ὅτιοὐκἔθετοκτλ.] Ὅτι, ‘ because,’ introducing the ground not so much of the hope as of the completed salvation just referred to, which is now described under its two essential aspects of (1) deliverance from wrath, (2) the imparting of eternal life. It is with (1) only that the present v. is concerned and that from (a) a negative (οὐκἔθετοκτλ.) and (b) a positive standpoint (ἀλλὰεἰςπεριποίησινκτλ.). ἔθετο] While the ‘ somewhat vague’ ἔθετο must not be pressed too far, it clearly carries back the deliverance of the Thessalonians to the direct purpose and action of God, cf. 1:4, 2:12, 2 Thessalonians 2:13 f., and see Intr. p. 115. For a similar use of τίθημι cf. John 15; John 16, Acts 13:47, 1 Timothy 2:7; 1 Timothy 2:2 :2 Timothy 1:11, and 1 Peter 2:8 (with Hort’ s note). For ὀργή cf. 1:10 note. εἰςπεριποίησινσωτηρίας] a difficult phrase from the doubt whether περιποίησιν is to be understood actively of the ‘ winning’ of salvation on the part of man, or passively of the ‘ adoption’ of (consisting in) salvation bestowed by God. In support of the latter view appeal is made to 1 Peter 2:9 and Ephesians 1:14, but the sense of the former passage (which is taken from Malachi 3:17) is determined by the use of the word λαός, ‘ people for a possession,’ and in Ephesians 1:14 the passive sense, though undoubtedly more natural, is not necessary . And as in the only other passages where the word occurs in the N.T. (2 Thessalonians 2:14, Hebrews 10:39), the active sense is alone suitable, it is better to employ it here also, all the more so because, as Findlay has pointed out, it is the natural sequel of the ‘ wakeful, soldierlike activity’ to which the Thessalonians have already been summoned (vv. 6– 8). The thought of this activity on the part of true believers is not however allowed to obscure the real source of all salvation, namely διὰτ. κυρ. ἡμ. Ἰης. [Χριστοῦ], where emphasis is laid not only on the Divine side (κυρίου) of the historic Jesus, but, if Χριστοῦ (omit B aeth) is read, on the fulfilment in Him of God’ s redemptive purposes. On how this is effected, and the full blessing of salvation as eternal life secured, the next v. proceeds to show.