Written by Paul J Bucknell on June, 20, 2024
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 Requests for the Day of the Lord
The Biblical Teaching Commentary on
2 Thessalonians 2
Requests Concerning the Day of the Lord (2 Thes 2:1-2)
Commentary: Introduction
The second chapter of Thessalonians should not be viewed in isolation from the rest of the book or 1 Thessalonians. Paul valued the way of life that the Thessalonians were leading to the extent that he could say, “We ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your...” (1 Thessalonians 1:4).
The Thessalonians were a group of newly converted, mostly Gentiles, experiencing persecution. They were doing well, but Paul Saw the need to address some doctrinal issues in the second chapter of his letter. In the third chapter, he focuses on their way of life, which may have resulted from a misunderstanding. Paul and the others were concerned about the Thessalonians’ further suffering. He clarifies the Lord’s return to encourage them, just as he did in the first letter.
Translations and Outline of 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2
1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. (2 Thes 2:1-2, NASB)
1 And we are asking you, brothers, on behalf of the presence (παρουσία-parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering to him, 2 that you might not be quickly shaken from the (your) mind nor be disturbed neither through a spirit neither through a word neither through an epistle as through us, as that the day of the Lord has come (and it still is). (2 Thes 2:1-2, My translation)
A. Descriptions of the Topic (2:1)
1. The Coming
2. Our Gathering
B. Purposes of the Requests (2:2)
1. No Shaking
2. No Disturbing
A. Descriptions of the Topic ( 2 Thes 2:1)
Paul encouraged the Thessalonians with positive remarks and a prayer in 1:11-12. He moved cautiously but surely into his main topic in chapter 2. The transition—“Now we request you” depicts this transition from the prayer at the end of chapter 1 to this doctrinal discussion of Christ’s coming.
“We” (Paul, along with Silas and Timothy) requested the Thessalonians to pay close attention to this issue. He calls them “brethren,” showing their filial relationship. Although Paul could exercise his office of apostleship to garner their recognition and attention, he does not. Instead, he associates with them as one of them.
Paul identifies his two requests in this first verse, the “coming” of the Lord and “gathering” to him. These two clauses are synchronous because of the Granville Sharp Rule that denotes the significance of the lack of an article. We should not separate the Lord’s coming (Greek: parousia) from our gathering (Greek: episunagoge) to Him, what some call the rapture.
These two aspects of a singular event are shown more explicitly in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. The appearance/return of the Lord Jesus, as shown in 2 Thessalonians 1:7 and 2:8, concerns Jesus’ coming for judgment rather than salvation as at His first advent (John 3:17).
For the elect, the Day of the Lord (2:2) brings full salvation. The saints will be gathered to the Lord at that time. The “to Him” (ein) is “marking the point to be reached” (Lunemann).
“Our gathering” is a timeless word pointing to Christ’s coming. Each living generation hopes for Christ’s return. Paul includes himself with the Thessalonian believers. Hiebert thinks it describes believers of all the ages, but the dead are already with him, as shown in 1 Thes 4:14.
B. Purposes of the Requests ( 2 Thes 2:2)
Even though the Thessalonians had a valiant faith, they had been wrongly “moved” by chatter. Paul first instructs them not to be quickly shaken in their minds. This word “shaken” (saleuyhunai) means agitation as in the tossing of the sea or of an earthquake (Lk 21:25; Sept. Jon 1:15; Is 24:20). Besides the physical sense (Acts 4:31), it means to agitate or disturb mentally (Acts 2:25; 17:13) and implies that a panic took place or soon could.
Nor were they to be disturbed or terrified. The apostle Paul alludes to the problems here: “be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us” (NASB). These three phrases have various meanings, though they share the common confusion about Jesus’ return.
“Through the spirit” indicates that some people claimed to be prophets but were false prophets who gave false messages.
“Through word” includes any oral communication. Having no adjectives, it is used in a general way. Some suggest it is the same as the “word of Christ,” but there is no evidence for this meaning.
“Through an epistle as if from us” suggests forgery. There were probably some false letters being circulated that claimed that they were from Paul’s teachings. Eadie thinks the last two clauses are very closely linked together. They contrasted each other; people misquoted what Paul said and wrote letters suggesting false doctrines. This close link is illustrated in 2:15 where it says, “...whether by word or by letter from us”.
False teaching about Jesus' return spread. Some said, “The Lord has already come,” absolutely terrifying the young believers. They did not state that the big climatic judgment had come but that the day had dawned. Soon, the culmination would be here. Paul brings additional comfort by verifying this letter against the counterfeits in the closing, “I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write” (3:17). Disinformation evidently strikes each generation.
The Christians were being shaken and continually disturbed. What were the reasons for their strong reactions? People taught different things concerning the Lord’s return. Some believers became so convinced that they left their jobs and were waiting for the culmination of the Lord’s return. Perhaps they looked super-spiritual, having much faith. Those who did not resign their positions could have looked weak in faith or felt unfaithful, especially if the majority or key leaders had accepted that message as coming through the Spirit.
The “Day of the Lord” undoubtedly refers to Jesus Christ's return. He came the first time to save and will come the second time to judge, ultimately liberating all believers. It should not be a time of confusion or shame but nurture vibrant hope. Paul also used the term “the day of the Lord” in his first letter.
“Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night” (1 Thes 5:1-2).
Peter similarly associates this final day with severe judgment and the coming age when everything will be made anew.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.… 13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:10-13)
Jesus, however, had not yet returned. Paul teaches them that they will live good lives (chapter 3) if they live by the correct teachings (chapter 2). Paul did not want them to live in fear because of this subject but to develop proper confidence and expectation that the teachings of Christ’s return should bring.
Conclusion
In the first two verses, Paul identifies the topics of concern and the source of the confusion unnecessarily troubling them. The discussion continues on in the next verses.
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Bible Study Questions on 2 Thessalonians 2 and the Day of the Lord
- What was Paul writing about in the last part of 2 Thessalonians 1 before chapter 2?
- What are the two topics introduced in verse 1?
- What does each topic mean to you?
- Are the two topics separate events or linked together (1)?
- What does Paul caution the believers not to do in verse 2?
- What are three ways some of the believers were disturbed?
- Are you confused about the Lord’s return? But why might it trouble them?
- What does the “Day of the Lord” refer to? Feel free to refer to the quotes given.
- Does the topic of the Lord’s return confuse or strengthen your faith? What should it do?
- How can the topic of Jesus’ return strengthen our faith?
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