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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation, in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." How unto salvation? By sanctifying you through the Spirit. For these are the things that are the efficient causes of our salvation. It is nowhere of works, nowhere of righteous deeds, but through belief of the truth. Here again, "in" is used for "through." "And through sanctification of the Spirit," he says.
Theophylact of Ohrid
Since the apostle had said something fearful, capable of troubling an unsteady soul, he now calms their hearts, teaching that all this is fearful for others, for those who are perishing, for whom it is appointed. But concerning you, we ought to give thanks to God — for the fact that He chose you and loved you. And if we give thanks for you, then how much more ought you to do this for yourselves. Therefore we give thanks that God chose you for Himself and predestined you to salvation, by foreknowledge that you are worthy. In what way? …
Western Saints
Ambrose of Milan
And the apostle also teaches that the Holy Spirit sanctifies. For he speaks thus, "We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brothers dearly beloved of the Lord; because God chose you as first fruits for salvation, in sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth." So, then, the Father sanctifies, the Son also sanctifies, and the Holy Spirit sanctifies; but the sanctification is one, and the grace of the sacrament is one.
Thomas Aquinas
Then when he says "but we ought", he shows why Christ's faithful will be freed. And first he gives thanks for them; second, he recalls the divine favors by which they are freed from such things. He speaks therefore like this: those men will be deceived, but "we ought to give thanks." "First indeed I give thanks to my God always for you through the Lord" (Rom 1:8). …
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