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Selected Verse: 2 Thessalonians 2:2 - Strong Concordance
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
2Th 2:2 |
Strong Concordance |
That [1519] ye [5209] be [4531] not [3361] soon [5030] shaken [4531] in [575] mind [3563], or [3383] be troubled [2360], neither [3383] by [1223] spirit [4151], nor [3383] by [1223] word [3056], nor [3383] by [1223] letter [1992] as [5613] from [1223] us [2257], as [5613] that [3754] the day [2250] of Christ [5547] is at hand [1764]. |
|
King James |
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
soon--on trifling grounds, without due consideration.
shaken--literally, "tossed" as ships tossed by an agitated sea. Compare for the same image, Eph 4:14.
in mind--rather as the Greek, "from your mind," that is, from your mental steadfastness on the subject.
troubled--This verb applies to emotional agitation; as "shaken" to intellectual.
by spirit--by a person professing to have the spirit of prophecy (Co1 12:8-10; Jo1 4:1-3). The Thessalonians had been warned (Th1 5:20-21) to "prove" such professed prophesyings, and to "hold fast (only) that which is good."
by word--of mouth (compare Th2 2:5, Th2 2:15); some word or saying alleged to be that of Paul, orally communicated. If oral tradition was liable to such perversion in the apostolic age (compare a similar instance, Joh 21:23), how much more in our age!
by letter as from us--purporting to be from us, whereas it is a forgery. Hence he gives a test by which to know his genuine letters (Th2 3:17).
day of Christ--The oldest manuscripts read, "day of the Lord."
is at hand--rather, "is immediately imminent," literally, "is present"; "is instantly coming." Christ and His apostles always taught that the day of the Lord's coming is at hand; and it is not likely that Paul would imply anything contrary here; what he denies is, that it is so immediately imminent, instant, or present, as to justify the neglect of everyday worldly duties. CHRYSOSTOM, and after him ALFORD, translates, "is (already) present" (compare Ti2 2:18), a kindred error. But in Ti2 3:1, the same Greek verb is translated "come." WAHL supports this view. The Greek is usually used of actual presence; but is quite susceptible of the translation, "is all but present." |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
That ye be not soon shaken in mind - The word here used signifies, properly, to be moved as a wave of the sea, or to be tossed upon the waves, as a vessel is. Then it means to be shaken in any way; see Mat 11:7; Mat 24:29; Luk 6:38; Act 4:31; Heb 12:26. The reference here is to the agitation or alarm felt from the belief that the day of judgment would soon occur. It is uniformly said in the Scriptures, that the approach of the Lord Jesus to judge the world, will produce a great consternation and alarm. Mat 24:30, "then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn." Rev 1:7, "behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him." Luk 23:30, "then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills Cover us;" compare Isa 2:21-22.
Of the truth of this, there can be no doubt. We may imagine something of the effects which will be produced by the alarm caused in a community when a belief prevails that the day of judgment is near. In a single year (1843) 17 persons were admitted to the Lunatic Asylum in Worcester, Mass., who had become deranged in consequence of the expectation that the Lord Jesus was about to appear. It is easy to account for such facts, and no doubt, when the Lord Jesus shall actually come, the effect on the guilty world will be overwhelming. The apostle here says, also, that those who were Christians were "shaken in mind and troubled" by this anticipation. There are, doubtless, many true Christians who would be alarmed at such an event, as there are many who, like Hezekiah Isa 38:1-2, are alarmed at the prospect of death. Many real Christians might, on the sudden occurrence of such an event, feel that they were not prepared, and be alarmed at the prospect of passing through the great trial which is to determine their everlasting destiny. It is no certain evidence of a want of piety to be alarmed at the approach of death. Our nature dreads death, and though there may be a well-founded hope of heaven, it will not always preserve a delicate physical frame from trembling when it comes.
Or be troubled - That is, disturbed, or terrified. It would seem that this belief had produced much consternation among them.
Neither by spirit - By any pretended spirit of prophecy. But whether this refers to the predictions of those who were false prophets in Thessalonica, or to something which it was alleged the apostle Paul had himself said there, and which was construed as meaning that the time was near, is not certain. This depends much on the question whether the phrase "as from us," refers only to the letters which had been sent to them, or also to the "word" and to the "spirit," here spoken of; see Oldshausen on the place. It would seem, from the connection, that all their consternation had been caused by some misconstruction which had been put on the sentiments of Paul himself, for if there had been any other source of alarm, he would naturally have referred to it. It is probable, therefore, that allusion is made to some representation which had been given of what he had said under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and that the expectation that the end of the world was near, was supposed to be a doctrine of inspiration. Whether, however, the Thessalonians themselves put this construction on what he said, or whether those who had caused the alarm represented him as teaching this, cannot be determined.
Nor by word - That is, by public instruction, or in preaching. It is evident that when the apostle was among them, this subject, from such causes, was prominent in his discourses; see Th2 2:5. It had been inferred, it seems, from what he said, that he meant to teach that the end of the world was near.
Nor by letter - Either the one which he had before written to them - the First Epistle to the Thessalonians - or one which had been forged in his name. "As from us." That is, Paul, Silas, and Timothy, who are united in writing the two epistles Th1 1:1; Th2 1:1, and in whose names a letter would be forged, if one of this description were sent to them. It has been made a question, whether the apostle refers here to the former epistle which he had sent to them, or to a forged letter; and on this question critics have been about equally divided. The reasons for the former opinion may be seen in Paley's Herin Paulinae, in loc. The question is not very important, and perhaps cannot be easily settled. There are two or three circumstances, however, which seem to make it probable that he refers to an epistle which had been forged, and which had been pretended to be received from him. (1.) one is found in the expression "as from us." If he had referred to his own former letter, it seems to me that the allusion would have been more distinct, and that the particle "as" (ὡς hōs) would not have been used. This is such an expression as would have been employed if the reference were to such a forged letter.
(2) a second circumstance is found in the expression in the next verse, "Let no man deceive you by any means," which looks as if they were not led into this belief by their own interpretation of his former epistle, but by a deliberate attempt of some one to delude them on the subject.
(3) perhaps a third circumstance would be found in the fact that it was not uncommon in early times of Christianity to attempt to impose forged writings on the churches. Nothing would be more natural for an impostor who wished to acquire influence, than to do this; and that it was often done is well known. That epistles were forged under the names of the apostles, appears very probable, as Benson has remarked, from chap. Th2 3:17; Gal 6:11; and Plm 1:19. There are, indeed, none of those forged epistles extant which were composed in the time of the apostles, but there is extant an epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, besides the two which we have; another to the Laodiceans, and six of Paul's epistles to Seneca - all of which are undoubted forgeries; see Benson in loc. If Paul, however, here refers to his former epistle, the reference is doubtless to Th1 4:15, and Th1 5:2-4, which might easily be understood as teaching that the end of the world was near, and to which those who maintained that opinion might appeal with great plausibility. We have, however, the authority of the apostle himself that he meant to teach no such thing. "As that the day of Christ is at hand." The time when he would appear - called "the day of Christ," because it would be appointed especially for the manifestation of his glory. The phrase "at hand," means near. Grotius supposes that it denotes that same year, and refers for proof to Rom 8:38; Co1 3:22; Gal 1:4. Heb 9:9. If so, the attempt to fix the day was an early indication of the desire to determine the very time of his appearing - a disposition which has been so common since, and which has led into so many sad mistakes. |
The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
day of
(See Scofield) - (Isa 2:12). |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Shaken (σαλευθῆναι)
From σάλος the tossing or swell of the sea. See Luk 21:25. Comp. Mat 11:7; Mat 24:29; Act 4:31; Heb 12:26.
In mind (ἀπὸ τοῦ νοὸς)
More correctly, from your mind. Νοῦς signifies the judgment, sober sense. Comp. Co1 14:15, and see on Rom 7:23. They are to "keep their heads" under the temptation to fanatical extravagances concerning the Lord's appearing.
Be troubled (θρεῖσθαι)
From θροός clamor, tumult. The meaning is be unsettled or thrown into confusion.
By spirit (διὰ πνεύματος)
By prophetic utterances of individuals in Christian assemblies, claiming the authority of divine revelations.
By word (διὰ λόγου)
Oral expressions falsely imputed to Paul.
By letter as from us (δἰ ἐπιστολῆς ὡς δἰ ἡμῶν)
Const. as from us with word and letter. The reference is to a letter or letters forged in Paul's name; not to the first Thessalonian Epistle, as misunderstood by the readers.
As that (ὡς ὅτι)
Indicating the contents of such communications.
Is at hand (ἐνέστηκεν)
Better than Rev. is now present. Lightfoot, happily, is imminent. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
Be not shaken in mind - In judgment. Or terrified - As those easily are who are immoderately fond of knowing future things. Neither by any pretended revelation from the Spirit, nor by pretence of any word spoken by me. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Be not soon shaken in mind - Απο του νοος· From the mind; i.e. that they should retain the persuasion they had of the truths which he had before delivered to them; that they should still hold the same opinions, and hold fast the doctrines which they had been taught.
Neither by spirit - Any pretended revelation.
Nor by word - Any thing which any person may profess to have heard the apostle speak.
Nor by letter - Either the former one which he had sent, some passages of which have been misconceived and misconstrued; or by any other letter, as from us - pretending to have been written by us, the apostles, containing predictions of this kind. There is a diversity of opinion among critics concerning this last clause, some supposing that it refers simply to the first epistle; others supposing that a forged epistle is intended. I have joined the two senses. The word σαλευθηναι, to be shaken, signifies to be agitated as a ship at sea in a storm, and strongly marks the confusion and distress which the Thessalonians had felt in their false apprehension of this coming of Christ.
As that the day of Christ is at hand - In the preface to this epistle I have given a general view of the meaning of the phrase the coming of Christ. Now the question is: Whether does the apostle mean, the coming of Christ to execute judgment upon the Jews, and destroy their polity, or his coming at the end of time, to judge the world? There are certainly many expressions in the following verses that may be applied indifferently to either, and some seem to apply to the one, and not to the other; and yet the whole can scarcely be so interpreted as to suit any one of these comings exclusively. This is precisely the case with the predictions of our Lord relative to these great events; one is used to point out and illustrate the other. On this ground I am led to think that the apostle, in the following confessedly obscure words, has both these in view, speaking of none of them exclusively; for it is the custom of the inspired penmen, or rather of that Spirit by which they spoke, to point out as many certain events by one prediction as it was possible to do, and to choose the figures, metaphors, and similes accordingly; and thus, from the beginning, God has pointed out the things that were not by the things that then existed, making the one the types or significations of the other. As the apostle spoke by the same Spirit, he most probably followed the same plan; and thus the following prophecy is to be interpreted and understood. |
1 This [5124] know [1097] also [1161], that [3754] in [1722] the last [2078] days [2250] perilous [5467] times [2540] shall come [1764].
18 Who [3748] concerning [4012] the truth [225] have erred [795], saying [3004] that the resurrection [386] is past [1096] already [2235]; and [2532] overthrow [396] the faith [4102] of some [5100].
17 The salutation [783] of Paul [3972] with mine own [1699] hand [5495], which [3739] is [2076] the token [4592] in [1722] every [3956] epistle [1992]: so [3779] I write [1125].
23 Then [3767] went [1831] this [3778] saying [3056] abroad [1831] among [1519] the brethren [80], that [3754] that [1565] disciple [3101] should [599] not [3756] die [599]: yet [2532] Jesus [2424] said [2036] not [3756] unto him [846], [3754] He shall [599] not [3756] die [599]; but [235], If [1437] I will [2309] that he [846] tarry [3306] till [2193] I come [2064], what [5101] is that to [4314] thee [4571]?
15 Therefore [686] [3767], brethren [80], stand fast [4739], and [2532] hold [2902] the traditions [3862] which [3739] ye have been taught [1321], whether [1535] by [1223] word [3056], or [1535] [1223] our [2257] epistle [1992].
5 Remember ye [3421] not [3756], that [3754], when I was [5607] yet [2089] with [4314] you [5209], I told [3004] you [5213] these things [5023]?
20 Despise [1848] not [3361] prophesyings [4394].
21 Prove [1381] all things [3956]; hold fast [2722] that which [3588] is good [2570].
1 Beloved [27], believe [4100] not [3361] every [3956] spirit [4151], but [235] try [1381] the spirits [4151] whether [1487] they are [2076] of [1537] God [2316]: because [3754] many [4183] false prophets [5578] are gone out [1831] into [1519] the world [2889].
2 Hereby [1722] [3739] [5129] know ye [1097] the Spirit [4151] of God [2316]: Every [3956] spirit [4151] that confesseth [3670] that Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] is come [2064] in [1722] the flesh [4561] is [2076] of [1537] God [2316]:
3 And [2532] every [3956] spirit [4151] that [3739] confesseth [3670] not [3361] that Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] is come [2064] in [1722] the flesh [4561] is [2076] not [3756] of [1537] God [2316]: and [2532] this [5124] is [2076] that spirit of antichrist [500], whereof [3739] ye have heard [191] that [3754] it should come [2064]; and even [2532] now [3568] already [2235] is it [2076] in [1722] the world [2889].
8 For [1063] to one [3739] [3303] is given [1325] by [1223] the Spirit [4151] the word [3056] of wisdom [4678]; [1161] to another [243] the word [3056] of knowledge [1108] by [2596] the same [846] Spirit [4151];
9 [1161] To another [2087] faith [4102] by [1722] the same [846] Spirit [4151]; [1161] to another [243] the gifts [5486] of healing [2386] by [1722] the same [846] Spirit [4151];
10 [1161] To another [243] the working [1755] of miracles [1411]; [1161] to another [243] prophecy [4394]; [1161] to another [243] discerning [1253] of spirits [4151]; [1161] to another [2087] divers kinds [1085] of tongues [1100]; [1161] to another [243] the interpretation [2058] of tongues [1100]:
14 That [2443] we henceforth be [5600] no more [3371] children [3516], tossed to and fro [2831], and [2532] carried about with [4064] every [3956] wind [417] of doctrine [1319], by [1722] the sleight [2940] of men [444], and cunning craftiness [1722] [3834], whereby [4314] they lie in wait [3180] to deceive [4106];
9 Which [3748] was a figure [3850] for [1519] the time [2540] then present [1764], in [2596] which [3739] were offered [4374] both [5037] gifts [1435] and [2532] sacrifices [2378], that could [1410] not [3361] make [5048] him that did the service [3000] perfect [5048], as pertaining to [2596] the conscience [4893];
4 Who [3588] gave [1325] himself [1438] for [5228] our [2257] sins [266], that [3704] he might deliver [1807] us [2248] from [1537] this present [1764] evil [4190] world [165], according [2596] to the will [2307] of God [2316] and [2532] our [2257] Father [3962]:
22 Whether [1535] Paul [3972], or [1535] Apollos [625], or [1535] Cephas [2786], or [1535] the world [2889], or [1535] life [2222], or [1535] death [2288], or [1535] things present [1764], or [1535] things to come [3195]; all [3956] are [2076] yours [5216];
38 For [1063] I am persuaded [3982], that [3754] neither [3777] death [2288], nor [3777] life [2222], nor [3777] angels [32], nor [3777] principalities [746], nor [3777] powers [1411], nor [3777] things present [1764], nor [3777] things to come [3195],
2 For [1063] yourselves [846] know [1492] perfectly [199] that [3754] the day [2250] of the Lord [2962] so [3779] cometh [2064] as [5613] a thief [2812] in [1722] the night [3571].
3 For [1063] when [3752] they shall say [3004], Peace [1515] and [2532] safety [803]; then [5119] sudden [160] destruction [3639] cometh upon [2186] them [846], as [5618] travail [5604] upon [1722] a woman with child [1064] [2192]; and [2532] they shall [1628] not [3364] escape [1628].
4 But [1161] ye [5210], brethren [80], are [2075] not [3756] in [1722] darkness [4655], that [2443] that day [2250] should overtake [2638] you [5209] as [5613] a thief [2812].
15 For [1063] this [5124] we say [3004] unto you [5213] by [1722] the word [3056] of the Lord [2962], that [3754] we [2249] which [3588] are alive [2198] and remain [4035] unto [1519] the coming [3952] of the Lord [2962] shall [5348] not [3364] prevent [5348] them which [3588] are asleep [2837].
19 I [1473] Paul [3972] have written [1125] it with mine own [1699] hand [5495], I [1473] will repay [661] it: albeit [3363] I do [3004] not [3363] say [3004] to thee [4671] how [3754] thou owest [4359] unto me [3427] even [2532] thine own self [4572] besides [4359].
11 Ye see [1492] how large [4080] a letter [1121] I have written [1125] unto you [5213] with mine own [1699] hand [5495].
17 The salutation [783] of Paul [3972] with mine own [1699] hand [5495], which [3739] is [2076] the token [4592] in [1722] every [3956] epistle [1992]: so [3779] I write [1125].
1 Paul [3972], and [2532] Silvanus [4610], and [2532] Timotheus [5095], unto the church [1577] of the Thessalonians [2331] in [1722] God [2316] our [2257] Father [3962] and [2532] the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]:
1 Paul [3972], and [2532] Silvanus [4610], and [2532] Timotheus [5095], unto the church [1577] of the Thessalonians [2331] which is in [1722] God [2316] the Father [3962] and [2532] in the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]: Grace [5485] be unto you [5213], and [2532] peace [1515], from [575] God [2316] our [2257] Father [3962], and [2532] the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547].
5 Remember ye [3421] not [3756], that [3754], when I was [5607] yet [2089] with [4314] you [5209], I told [3004] you [5213] these things [5023]?
1 In those days [03117] was Hezekiah [02396] sick [02470] unto death [04191]. And Isaiah [03470] the prophet [05030] the son [01121] of Amoz [0531] came [0935] unto him, and said [0559] unto him, Thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068], Set thine house [01004] in order [06680]: for thou shalt die [04191], and not live [02421].
2 Then Hezekiah [02396] turned [05437] his face [06440] toward the wall [07023], and prayed [06419] unto the LORD [03068],
21 To go [0935] into the clefts [05366] of the rocks [06697], and into the tops [05585] of the ragged rocks [05553], for [06440] fear [06343] of the LORD [03068], and for the glory [01926] of his majesty [01347], when he ariseth [06965] to shake terribly [06206] the earth [0776].
22 Cease [02308] ye from man [0120], whose breath [05397] is in his nostrils [0639]: for wherein is he to be accounted of [02803]?
30 Then [5119] shall they begin [756] to say [3004] to the mountains [3735], Fall [4098] on [1909] us [2248]; and [2532] to the hills [1015], Cover [2572] us [2248].
7 Behold [2400], he cometh [2064] with [3326] clouds [3507]; and [2532] every [3956] eye [3788] shall see [3700] him [846], and [2532] they also which [3748] pierced [1574] him [846]: and [2532] all [3956] kindreds [5443] of the earth [1093] shall wail [2875] because [1909] of him [846]. Even so [3483], Amen [281].
30 And [2532] then [5119] shall appear [5316] the sign [4592] of the Son [5207] of man [444] in [1722] heaven [3772]: and [2532] then [5119] shall [2875] all [3956] the tribes [5443] of the earth [1093] mourn [2875], and [2532] they shall see [3700] the Son [5207] of man [444] coming [2064] in [1909] the clouds [3507] of heaven [3772] with [3326] power [1411] and [2532] great [4183] glory [1391].
26 Whose [3739] voice [5456] then [5119] shook [4531] the earth [1093]: but [1161] now [3568] he hath promised [1861], saying [3004], Yet [2089] once more [530] I [1473] shake [4579] not [3756] the earth [1093] only [3440], but [235] also [2532] heaven [3772].
31 And [2532] when they [846] had prayed [1189], the place [5117] was shaken [4531] where [1722] [3739] they were [2258] assembled together [4863]; and [2532] they were [4130] all [537] filled [4130] with the Holy [40] Ghost [4151], and [2532] they spake [2980] the word [3056] of God [2316] with [3326] boldness [3954].
38 Give [1325], and [2532] it shall be given [1325] unto you [5213]; good [2570] measure [3358], pressed down [4085], and [2532] shaken together [4531], and [2532] running over [5240], shall men give [1325] into [1519] your [5216] bosom [2859]. For [1063] with the same [846] measure [3358] that [3739] ye mete withal [3354] it shall be measured [488] to you [5213] again [488].
29 Immediately [1161] [2112] after [3326] the tribulation [2347] of those [1565] days [2250] shall the sun [2246] be darkened [4654], and [2532] the moon [4582] shall [1325] not [3756] give [1325] her [846] light [5338], and [2532] the stars [792] shall fall [4098] from [575] heaven [3772], and [2532] the powers [1411] of the heavens [3772] shall be shaken [4531]:
7 And [1161] as [5130] they departed [4198], Jesus [2424] began [756] to say [3004] unto the multitudes [3793] concerning [4012] John [2491], What [5101] went ye [1831] out into [1519] the wilderness [2048] to see [2300]? A reed [2563] shaken [4531] with [5259] the wind [417]?
12 For the day [03117] of the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635] shall be upon every one that is proud [01343] and lofty [07311], and upon every one that is lifted up [05375]; and he shall be brought low [08213]:
23 But [1161] I see [991] another [2087] law [3551] in [1722] my [3450] members [3196], warring against [497] the law [3551] of my [3450] mind [3563], and [2532] bringing [163] me [3165] into captivity [163] to the law [3551] of sin [266] which [3588] is [5607] in [1722] my [3450] members [3196].
15 What [5101] is it [2076] then [3767]? I will pray [4336] with the spirit [4151], and [1161] I will pray [4336] with the understanding [3563] also [2532]: I will sing [5567] with the spirit [4151], and [1161] I will sing [5567] with the understanding [3563] also [2532].
26 Whose [3739] voice [5456] then [5119] shook [4531] the earth [1093]: but [1161] now [3568] he hath promised [1861], saying [3004], Yet [2089] once more [530] I [1473] shake [4579] not [3756] the earth [1093] only [3440], but [235] also [2532] heaven [3772].
31 And [2532] when they [846] had prayed [1189], the place [5117] was shaken [4531] where [1722] [3739] they were [2258] assembled together [4863]; and [2532] they were [4130] all [537] filled [4130] with the Holy [40] Ghost [4151], and [2532] they spake [2980] the word [3056] of God [2316] with [3326] boldness [3954].
29 Immediately [1161] [2112] after [3326] the tribulation [2347] of those [1565] days [2250] shall the sun [2246] be darkened [4654], and [2532] the moon [4582] shall [1325] not [3756] give [1325] her [846] light [5338], and [2532] the stars [792] shall fall [4098] from [575] heaven [3772], and [2532] the powers [1411] of the heavens [3772] shall be shaken [4531]:
7 And [1161] as [5130] they departed [4198], Jesus [2424] began [756] to say [3004] unto the multitudes [3793] concerning [4012] John [2491], What [5101] went ye [1831] out into [1519] the wilderness [2048] to see [2300]? A reed [2563] shaken [4531] with [5259] the wind [417]?
25 And [2532] there shall be [2071] signs [4592] in [1722] the sun [2246], and [2532] in the moon [4582], and [2532] in the stars [798]; and [2532] upon [1909] the earth [1093] distress [4928] of nations [1484], with [1722] perplexity [640]; the sea [2281] and [2532] the waves [4535] roaring [2278];