V. 9.— But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. Having delivered this solemn warning the Apostle proceeds to encourage his brethren who had stood fast in the faith. He was persuaded better things of them, although he thus spoke. It was necessary for him to set before them the awful state of those who had apostatized, but he had confidence in those whom he addressed. He was persuaded better things of them, even things that accompany salvation, although he had found it necessary to use the language he had done. It may be asked, What are the better things to which he refers? and he answers the question, Things which accompany salvation, which are the evidence of our union with Christ, and which are therefore far superior to these gifts to which he had referred, and to which apostates may attain. We have here an instance of the wisdom and tenderness with which the Apostle addressed his brethren. He had set before them the awful doom of apostates, and he now returns to the strongest expressions of confidence and brotherly love. Of this we have another instance, 2 Thessalonians 2:13. There also he speaks of apostates, whom in righteous judgment God gave up to strong delusion, that they should believe a lie, but adds: " But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13. So also Ephesians 4:20. He had described the wickedness of the Gentiles, who had abandoned themselves to all uncleanness with greediness, but adds: " Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13.