2 Thessalonians 2:1

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Thessalonians 2:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him;
2 Thessalonians 2:1 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Thessalonians 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Now we beseech you, brethren, &c.] 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…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ - The phrase “by the coming,” is not here, as our translators seem to have supposed, a form of solemn adjuration. It is not common, if it ever occurs, in the Scriptures, to make a solemn adjuration in view of an event, and the connection here demands that we give to the phrase a different sense. It means, respecting his coming; and the idea of Paul is: “In regard to that great event of which I spoke to you in my former epistle - the coming of the Saviour - I beseech you not to be troubled, as if it were soon to happen. As his views had been misunderstood or misrepresented, he now proposes to show them that there was nothing…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Our gathering together to him - In the clouds. 2 Thessalonians 2:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“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).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“we: Rom 12:1 by the: Th1 4:14-16 and by: Gen 49:10; Mat 24:31, Mat 25:32; Mar 13:27; Eph 1:10; Th1 3:13, Th1 4:17; Ti2 4:1 2 Thessalonians 2:2”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification