Therefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
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Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
I said, “Salvation through this religion, through which alone true salvation is promised and truly promised, has never been lacking to anyone who was worthy of it, and the one to whom it was lacking was unworthy of it.” I did not mean this as though anyone were worthy according to his own merits, but as the apostle says, “God’s purpose in election” does not depend on deeds but is applied according to him who calls—Rebekah was told, “The elder shall serve the younger”—and he asserts that this call depends on the purpose of God. Hence Paul says, “Not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace.” Similarly, he says, “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Concerning this call he says, “that he may consider you worthy of his calling.”
Wherefore, also we pray By the Greek, the sense and construction cannot be in, or on which day; and therefore it must be referred to what was said before, that God should be glorified in his saints, and so may be translated, on which account we pray that Christ may be glorified in you, being made saints by his grace (Witham)
That is, when those are brought into public view, who have suffered unnumbered ills, deigned to make them apostatize from the faith, and yet have not yielded, but have believed, God is glorified. Then is shown the glory of these men also. Judge none blessed, it says, before his death. Sirach 11:28 On this account he says, in that day will be shown those who believed. To which end also we pray, he says, always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and every work of faith, with power.
That He may count you, he says, worthy of calling; for they were not called. Therefore he has added, and fulfill every desire of goodness. Since he also who was clothed in filthy garments, was called, but did not abide in his calling, but for this reason was the more rejected. Of the calling, namely that to the bride-chamber. Since the five virgins also were called. Arise it says, the bridegroom comes. From Matthew 25:6 And they prepared themselv...
so that our God may make you worthy of his calling
that is, understood to make worthy. Here he asks that that calling be understood according to a purpose. On this account, in order that they might separate what is universal from that which is special, they added 'his.' In order that they might show that there is not power or merit in man, but in God alone.
may complete every act of his goodness
As though they should say, May virtue be bestowed upon you by God, that through it your faith may be filled up with effort.
