2 Thessalonians 2:2

2 Thessalonians 2:2

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.

a. NLT: Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.

b. NIV: Not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come.

c. YLT: That ye be not quickly shaken in mind, nor be troubled, neither through spirit, neither through word, neither through letters as through us, as that the day of Christ hath arrived;

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Not to allow your minds to be quickly unsettled or disturbed or kept excited or alarmed, whether it be by some [pretended] revelation of [the] Spirit or by word or by letter [alleged to be] from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has [already] arrived and is here.

e. Worrell Translation: That ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor be troubled, either by spirit, or by  word, or by letter as from us, as that the day of the Lord has set in.

f. Wuest Translation: Not soon to become unsettled, the source of this unsettled state being your minds, neither be thrown into confusion, either by a spirit [a believer in the Christian assembly claiming the authority of divine revelation and claiming to give the saints a word from God], or through a word [received personally] as from us or through a letter falsely alleged to be written by us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come and is now present.

1. “That ye be not soon shaken in mind…”

a. That [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

b. ye [Strong: 5209 humas hoo-mas' accusative case of 5210; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).]

c. not [Strong: 3361 me may a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]

d. be…shaken [Strong: 4531 saleuo sal-yoo'-o from 4535; to waver, i.e. agitate, rock, topple or (by implication) destroy; figuratively, to disturb, incite:--move, shake (together), which can(-not) be shaken, stir up.] [Thayer: a motion produced by winds, storms, waves, etc, to agitate or shake, to cause to totter, to shake thoroughly, of a measure filled by shaking its contents together, to shake down, overthrow, to cast down from one's (secure and happy) state, to move, agitate the mind, to disturb one.]

e. soon [Strong: 5030 tacheos takh-eh'-oce adverb from 5036; briefly, i.e. (in time) speedily, or (in manner) rapidly:--hastily, quickly, shortly, soon, suddenly.]

f. in [Strong: 575 apo apo' a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.]

g. mind [Strong: 3563 nous nooce probably from the base of 1097; the intellect, i.e. mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication, meaning:--mind, understanding.] [Thayer: the mind, comprising alike the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining, the intellectual faculty, the understanding, reason in the narrower sense, as the capacity for spiritual truth, the higher powers of the soul, the faculty of perceiving divine things, of recognizing goodness and of hating evil, the power of considering and judging soberly, calmly and impartially,  a particular mode of thinking and judging, i.e thoughts, feelings, purposes, desires.]

1). Paul was warning here not be swayed or disturbed by anything, a sure indication they are not grounded but susceptible to be deceived.

a). Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

2). Jesus used this same terminology when referring to John the Baptist. It seems to be speaking of a group of people who thought they were coming out to see a mad man blown away with error.

a). Matthew 11:7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

3). We must be grounded in the Scriptures.

a). Colossians 2:6, 7 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

4). Rick Renner 8/24/16 Notice that Paul told the Thessalonian believers not to be “soon shaken.” The word “soon” is the Greek word tachus, which means quickly, suddenly, or hastily. The word “shaken” is the Greek word saleuo, which means to shake, to waver, to totter, or to be moved. The tense used in the Greek points to events so dramatic that they could result in shock or alarm. In fact, the Greek tense strongly suggests a devastating occurrence or a sequence of devastating occurrences so dramatic that they will throw the world into a state of shock or distress. By using the words “soon shaken,” Paul was urging his readers (and us!) to resist being easily shaken up by events that will occur just before the coming of Jesus. He was particularly careful to mention that we must not be “soon shaken in mind.” The Greek word for the “mind” is nous, which describes everything in the realm of the intellect, including one’s will, emotions, and ability to think, reason, and decide. Whoever or whatever controls a person’s mind ultimately has the power to dictate the affairs and outcome of that person’s life. Thus, if a person allows his mind to be doused with panic or fear, he is putting fear in charge of his life. Because Paul wanted his readers to remain in peace regardless of the tumultuous events that transpired around them, he urged them not to allow fear from these shocking and distressful events to penetrate their minds, will, and emotions. Then to make certain we comprehend the magnitude of these last-day events, Paul went on to say, “That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled.…” The word “troubled” is the Greek word throeo, which indicates an inward fright that results from the shocking occurrence described above. The shock resulting from these nerve-racking events could be so severe that it could cause a person to be devoured with worry, anxiety, or fear. Paul is confident these events will not be only a one-time occurrence; thus, he uses a Greek tense that points to an ongoing state of worry and inward anxiety resulting from these outward events that keep occurring again and again. It is as if he prophesies that there is no pause between these shocking, debilitating, and nerve-racking happenings. One scholar therefore translates the word “troubled” as being jumpy or nervous.

2. “…or be troubled…”

a. or [Strong: 3383 mete may'-teh from 3361 and 5037; not too, i.e. (in continued negation) neither or nor; also, not even:--neither, (n-)or, so as much.]

b. be troubled [2360 throeo thro-eh'-o from threomai to wail; to clamor, i.e. (by implication) to frighten:--trouble.] [Thayer: to cry aloud, make a noise by outcry, in the NT, to trouble, frighten, to be troubled in mind, to be frightened, alarmed.]

1). Paul lists three ways that believers can be shaken in mind or be troubled, by spirit, by word or by letter.

3. “…neither by spirit…”

a. neither [Strong: 3383 mete may'-teh from 3361 and 5037; not too, i.e. (in continued negation) neither or nor; also, not even:--neither, (n-)or, so as much.]

b. by [Strong: 1223 dia dee-ah' a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.]

c. spirit [4151 pneuma pnyoo'-mah from 4154; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind.] [Thayer: the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son, sometimes referred to in a way which emphasises his personality and character (the "Holy" Spirit), sometimes referred to in a way which emphasises his work and power (the Spirit of "Truth"), never referred to as a depersonalised force, the spirit, i.e. the vital principal by which the body is animated, the rational spirit, the power by which the human being feels, thinks, decides, the soul, a spirit, i.e. a simple essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and acting, a life giving spirit, a human soul that has left the body, a spirit higher than man but lower than God, i.e. an angel, used of demons, or evil spirits, who were conceived as inhabiting the bodies of men, the spiritual nature of Christ, higher than the highest angels and equal to God, the divine nature of Christ, the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of any one, the efficient source of any power, affection, emotion, desire, etc., a movement of air (a gentle blast), of the wind, hence the wind itself, breath of nostrils or mouth.]

1). Believers in the New Covenant are to be led by the Spirit of God. This is how it was designed by God. A good example of this is found in Acts concerning Phillip and the Ethiopian eunuch.

a). Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

b). Acts 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Phillip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

2). Paul and his missionary team were led by the Spirit in their journeys.

a). Acts 16:6, 7 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

3). This term could be used in two different ways. It could refer to the Spirit of God leading us in our spirit as we saw in Acts with Phillip or it could refer to a prophetic utterance such as in the calling of Paul and Barnabas for the first missionary tour to the Gentiles.

a). Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

b). What must be noted here is that Paul and Barnabas had already been called and they knew it in their spirits. The prophetic utterance of the Holy Ghost just confirmed what He had already been speaking to them about in their spirits.

4). This leads us to how this is used in the text. We as believers are warned to try the spirits we should learn discernment in our walk so as not to be deceived. This is what the Apostle John wrote in his epistle.

a). 1 John 4:1-3  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

5). Here in 2 Thessalonians 2:2 Paul was warning the Thessalonians believers and us that  it would be possible for someone  to bring forth a false utterance from a wrong spirit and we need to be on guard against it so as not to be deceived. I like what Wuest’s translations says, “a believer in the Christian assembly claiming the authority of divine revelation and claiming to give the saints a word from God”. Any utterance or leading must be backed up by the Word of God, the whole counsel of God.

4. “…nor by word…”

a. nor [Strong: 3383 mete may'-teh from 3361 and 5037; not too, i.e. (in continued negation) neither or nor; also, not even:--neither, (n-)or, so as much.]

b. by [Strong: 1223 dia dee-ah' a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.]

c. word [Strong: 3056 logos log'-os from 3004; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.]

1). The meaning of this is clearly “preaching”, of someone bring forth a message from a pulpit so to speak. Here are a few examples of its use.

a). Acts 13:13-15 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

13:15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

b). Romans 15:18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

c). 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

5. “…nor by letter as from us…”

a. nor [Strong: 3383 mete may'-teh from 3361 and 5037; not too, i.e. (in continued negation) neither or nor; also, not even:--neither, (n-)or, so as much.]

b. by [Strong: 1223 dia dee-ah' a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.]

c. letter [Strong: 1992 epistole ep-is-tol-ay' from 1989; a written message:--"epistle," letter.]

d. as [Strong: 5613 hos hoce probably adverb of comparative from 3739; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.]

e. from [Strong: 1223 dia dee-ah' a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.]

f. us [Strong: 2257 hemon hay-mone' genitive case plural of 1473; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.]

1). Here Paul was warning against counterfeit spirits, words, or epistles for he finishes the warning with “as from us”. So even during Paul’s day he was warning against counterfeit epistles or false books. As one writer put it, the purposeful corruption of the Word of God begins in the first book of the Bible. We must remember this example, God’s word says one thing and the enemy and his followers says something else, calling God a liar.

a). Genesis 3:1-5 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which [is] in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

b). 1 John 5:9, 10 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

6. “…as that the day of Christ is at hand.”

a. as [Strong: 5613 hos hoce probably adverb of comparative from 3739; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.]

b. that [Strong: 3754 hoti hot'-ee neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]

c. the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

d. day [Strong: 2250 hemera hay-mer'-ah feminine (with 5610 implied) of a derivative of hemai (to sit; akin to the base of 1476) meaning tame, i.e. gentle; day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context):--age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years.]

e. of Christ [Strong: 5547 Christos khris-tos' from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.]

f. is at hand [Strong: 1764 enistemi en-is'-tay-mee from 1722 and 2476; to place on hand, i.e. (reflexively) impend, (participle) be instant:--come, be at hand, present.]

1). The “day of Christ” is different than “our gathering together unto him”, they are two separate events. The “day of Christ” does not happen until there is “a falling away first” and “the man of sin is revealed”. By that time, the rapture, i.e., “our gathering together unto him” has already happened. This is a warning concerning being deceived about the timing of the second coming of Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13–1 Thessalonians 5:11 Paul writes about the rapture/first fruit resurrection of the believer. Here in 2 Thessalonians 2, at least from 2 Thessalonians 2:3b to 2 Thessalonians he is writing about what happens after the rapture also for he mentions the revealing of the anti-Christ.