2 Thessalonians 2:1

Authorized King James Version

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Ἐρωτῶμεν
G2065
we beseech
to interrogate; by implication, to request
#2
δὲ
G1161
Now
but, and, etc
#3
ὑμᾶς
G5209
you
you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
#4
ἀδελφοί
G80
brethren
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
#5
ὑπὲρ
G5228
by
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
#6
τῆς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#7
παρουσίας
G3952
the coming
a being near, i.e., advent (often, return; specially, of christ to punish jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect
#8
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
κυρίου
G2962
Lord
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
#10
ἡμῶν
G2257
by our
of (or from) us
#11
Ἰησοῦ
G2424
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#12
Χριστοῦ
G5547
Christ
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
#13
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#14
ἡμῶν
G2257
by our
of (or from) us
#15
ἐπισυναγωγῆς
G1997
gathering together
a complete collection; especially a christian meeting (for worship)
#16
ἐπ'
G1909
unto
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#17
αὐτόν
G846
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection