II Thessalonians 2
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
We beseech you - by the coming of our Lord - It is evident that the Thessalonians, incited by deceived or false teachers, had taken a wrong meaning out of the words of the first epistle, Th1 4:15, etc., concerning the day of judgment; and were led then to conclude that that day was at hand; and this had produced great confusion in the Church: to correct this mistake, the apostle sent them this second letter, in which he shows that this day must be necessarily distant, because a great work is to be done previously to its appearing. Of the day of general judgment he had spoken before, and said that it should come as a thief in the night, i.e. when not expected; but he did not attempt to fix the time, nor did he insinuate that it was either near at hand, or far off. Now, however, he shows that it must necessarily be far off, because of the great transactions which must take place before it can come.
Open source ↗CORRECTION OF THEIR ERROR AS TO CHRIST'S IMMEDIATE COMING. THE APOSTASY THAT MUST PRECEDE IT. EXHORTATION TO STEADFASTNESS, INTRODUCED WITH THANKSGIVING FOR THEIR ELECTION BY GOD. (2Th. 2:1-17) Now--rather, "But"; marking the transition from his prayers for them to entreaties to them. we beseech you--or "entreat you." He uses affectionate entreaty, rather than stern reproof, to win them over to the right view. by--rather, "with respect to"; as the Greek for "of" (Co2 1:8). our gathering together unto him--the consummating or final gathering together of the saints to Him at His coming, as announced, Mat 24:31; Th1 4:17. The Greek noun is nowhere else found except in Heb 10:25, said of the assembling together of believers for congregational worship. Our instinctive fears of the judgment are dispelled by the thought of being gathered together UNTO HIM ("even as the hen gathereth her chickens under her wings"), which ensures our safety.
Open source ↗Now we beseech you, brethren,.... The apostle having finished his first design in this epistle, which was to encourage the saints to patience under sufferings, proceeds to another view he had in writing it, and that is, to set the doctrine of Christ's coming, as to the time of it, in its proper light; and this is occasioned by what he had said concerning it in the former epistle, which was either misunderstood or misrepresented; and as he addresses the saints with a very affectionate appellation as his "brethren", so by way of entreaty "beseeching", and yet in a very solemn manner: by the coming of our Lord Jesus: which is to be understood not of the coming of Christ in the flesh, to procure the salvation of his people; nor of his coming in his kingdom and power to take vengeance on the Jewish nation, for their rejection of him as the Messiah; but of his coming to judge the quick and dead, than which nothing is more sure and certain, being affirmed by angels and men, by prophets and apostles, and by Christ himself, or more desirable by the saints; wherefore the apostle entreats them by it, that whereas they believed it, expected it, and wished for it, they would regard what he was about to say: so that the words, though an entreaty, are in the form of an adjuration; unless they should be rendered as in the Ethiopic version, as they may, "concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"; and so express subject matter of the discourse now entering upon, with what follows: and by our gathering together unto him; which regards not the great gatherings of the people to Christ the true Shiloh upon his first coming, and the preaching of the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, when there were not only great flockings to hear it, but multitudes were converted by it; nor the greater…
Open source ↗From these words it appears that some among the Thessalonians had mistaken the apostle's meaning, in what he had written in his former epistle about the coming of Christ, by thinking that it was near at hand, - that Christ was just ready to appear and come to judgment. Or, it may be, some among them pretended that they had the knowledge of this by particular revelation from the Spirit, or from some words they had heard from the apostle, when he was with them, or some letter he had written or they pretended he had written to them or some other person: and hereupon the apostle is careful to rectify this mistake, and to prevent the spreading of this error. Observe, If errors and mistakes arise among Christians, we should take the first opportunity to rectify them, and hinder the spreading thereof; and good men will be especially careful to suppress errors that may arise from a mistake of their words and actions, though that which was spoken or done was ever so innocent or well. We have a subtle adversary, who watches all opportunities to do mischief, and will sometimes promote errors even by means of the words of scripture. Observe, I. How very earnest and solicitous this apostle was to prevent mistakes: We beseech you, brethren, etc., Th2 2:1. He entreats them as brethren who might have charged them as a father charges his children: he shows great kindness and condescension, and insinuates himself into their affections. And this is the best way to deal with men when we would preserve or recover them from errors, to deal gently and affectionately with them: rough and rigorous treatment will but exasperate their spirits, and prejudice them against the reasons we may offer. He obtests and even conjures them in the most solemn manner: By the coming of Christ, etc. The words a…
Open source ↗2:1-12 False teaching about the day of the Lord had disturbed the Thessalonian church (2:1-2). Paul reminds them (2:5) that two events will precede that day: a great apostasy and the unveiling of the man of lawlessness (2:3-12). Christ will destroy this man when he returns (2:3, 8), and those who have been deceived will also be judged (2:9-12). 2:1 At the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1:7-10; 1 Thes 2:19; 3:13; 4:15–5:2; 5:23), all of his people will be gathered to meet him. This will occur at the resurrection and rapture of the church (1 Thes 4:13-18).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐρωτάω (erōtáō, G2065) — to interrogate; by implication, to request ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ὑπέρ (hypér, G5228) — "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the… παρουσία (parousía, G3952) — a being near, i.e. advent (often, return; specially, of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or… ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐπισυναγωγή (episynagōgḗ, G1997) — a complete collection; especially a Christian meeting (for worship) ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) σαλεύω (saleúō, G4531) — to waver, i.e. agitate, rock, topple or (by implication) destroy; figuratively, to… μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… ταχέως (tachéōs, G5030) — briefly, i.e. (in time) speedily, or (in manner) rapidly ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… νοῦς (noûs, G3563) — the intellect, i.e. mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication,… μήτε (mḗte, G3383) — not too, i.e. (in continued negation) neither or nor; also, not even θροέω (throéō, G2360) — to clamor, i.e. (by implication) to frighten διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… ἐπιστολή (epistolḗ, G1992) — a written message ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
Open source ↗ἐξαπατάω (exapatáō, G1818) — to seduce wholly μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… μηδείς (mēdeís, G3367) — not even one (man, woman, thing) τρόπος (trópos, G5158) — a turn, i.e. (by implication) mode or style (especially with preposition or relative… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐὰν μή (eàn mḗ, G3362) — if not, i.e. unless ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) ἀποστασία (apostasía, G646) — defection from truth (properly, the state) ("apostasy") πρῶτον (prōton, G4412) — firstly (in time, place, order, or importance) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being
Open source ↗ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ἀντίκειμαι (antíkeimai, G480) — to lie opposite, i.e. be adverse (figuratively, repugnant) to καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὑπεραίρομαι (hyperaíromai, G5229) — to raise oneself over, i.e. (figuratively) to become haughty ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than σέβασμα (sébasma, G4574) — something adored, i.e. an object of worship (god, altar, etc) ὥστε (hṓste, G5620) — so too, i.e. thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) καθίζω (kathízō, G2523) — to seat down, i.e. set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down);…
Open source ↗μνημονεύω (mnēmoneúō, G3421) — to exercise memory, i.e. recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being ἔτι (éti, G2089) — "yet," still (of time or degree) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… νῦν (nŷn, G3568) — "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… κατέχω (katéchō, G2722) — to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalýptō, G601) — to take off the cover, i.e. disclose ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… καιρός (kairós, G2540) — an occasion, i.e. set or proper time
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… μυστήριον (mystḗrion, G3466) — a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious… ἀνομία (anomía, G458) — illegality, i.e. violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness ἐνεργέω (energéō, G1754) — to be active, efficient ἤδη (ḗdē, G2235) — even now μόνον (mónon, G3440) — merely ἄρτι (árti, G737) — just now κατέχω (katéchō, G2722) — to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively) ἕως (héōs, G2193) — a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) μέσος (mésos, G3319) — middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τότε (tóte, G5119) — the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution) ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalýptō, G601) — to take off the cover, i.e. disclose ἄνομος (ánomos, G459) — lawless, i.e. (negatively) not subject to (the Jewish) law; (by implication, a Gentile),… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἀναλίσκω (analískō, G355) — properly, to use up, i.e. destroy πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… στόμα (stóma, G4750) — the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations);… καταργέω (katargéō, G2673) — to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively ἐπιφάνεια (epipháneia, G2015) — a manifestation, i.e. (specially) the advent of Christ (past or future) παρουσία (parousía, G3952) — a being near, i.e. advent (often, return; specially, of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or…
Open source ↗ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that παρουσία (parousía, G3952) — a being near, i.e. advent (often, return; specially, of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or… ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… ἐνέργεια (enérgeia, G1753) — efficiency ("energy") Σατανᾶς (Satanâs, G4567) — the accuser, i.e. the devil ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole δύναμις (dýnamis, G1411) — force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… σημεῖον (sēmeîon, G4592) — an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally ψεῦδος (pseûdos, G5579) — a falsehood τέρας (téras, G5059) — a prodigy or omen
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἀπάτη (apátē, G539) — delusion ἀδικία (adikía, G93) — (legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness… ἀπόλλυμι (apóllymi, G622) — to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively ἀντί (antí, G473) — opposite, i.e. instead or because of (rarely in addition to) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that δέχομαι (déchomai, G1209) — to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἀγάπη (agápē, G26) — love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast ἀλήθεια (alḗtheia, G225) — truth εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very πέμπω (pémpō, G3992) — to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas (as a stronger form… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐνέργεια (enérgeia, G1753) — efficiency ("energy") πλάνη (plánē, G4106) — objectively, fraudulence; subjectively, a straying from orthodoxy or piety εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… πιστεύω (pisteúō, G4100) — to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by… ψεῦδος (pseûdos, G5579) — a falsehood
Open source ↗ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole κρίνω (krínō, G2919) — by implication, to try, condemn, punish ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) πιστεύω (pisteúō, G4100) — to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by… μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… ἀλήθεια (alḗtheia, G225) — truth ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) εὐδοκέω (eudokéō, G2106) — to think well of, i.e. approve (an act); specially, to approbate (a person or thing) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἀδικία (adikía, G93) — (legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἡμεῖς (hēmeîs, G2249) — we (only used when emphatic) ὀφείλω (opheílō, G3784) — to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should);… εὐχαριστέω (eucharistéō, G2168) — to be grateful, i.e. (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace… πάντοτε (pántote, G3842) — every when, i.e. at all times θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ἀγαπάω (agapáō, G25) — to love (in a social or moral sense) ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because αἱρέομαι (hairéomai, G138) — to take for oneself, i.e. to prefer
Open source ↗εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us εὐαγγέλιον (euangélion, G2098) — a good message, i.e. the gospel περιποίησις (peripoíēsis, G4047) — acquisition (the act or the thing); by extension, preservation δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And He will send out the angels to gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom:
After all, who is our hope, our joy, our crown of boasting, if it is not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.
All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.
The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.