2 Thessalonians 2:1
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
Original Language Analysis
ἀδελφοί
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
4 of 17
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ὑπὲρ
by
G5228
ὑπὲρ
by
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
5 of 17
"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
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρουσίας
the coming
G3952
παρουσίας
the coming
Strong's:
G3952
Word #:
7 of 17
a being near, i.e., advent (often, return; specially, of christ to punish jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
Lord
G2962
κυρίου
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
9 of 17
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
11 of 17
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπισυναγωγῆς
gathering together
G1997
ἐπισυναγωγῆς
gathering together
Strong's:
G1997
Word #:
15 of 17
a complete collection; especially a christian meeting (for worship)
Cross References
Mark 13:27And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.Matthew 24:31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.1 Thessalonians 3:13To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.Matthew 25:32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:1 Thessalonians 2:19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?2 Timothy 4:1I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
Historical Context
Some Thessalonians apparently received forged letters claiming Paul taught the day of the Lord had arrived. This created panic: had they missed the rapture? Were they in the tribulation? Paul writes to calm fears and expose the deception with clear prophetic teaching.
Questions for Reflection
- How does confusion about Christ's return affect daily Christian living?
- What false teachings about the end times have you encountered, and how did you test them?
- Why does Paul connect doctrinal correction with pastoral tenderness ('brethren')?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him—erōtōmen (ἐρωτῶμεν, 'we ask/beseech') begins the letter's main burden. By (hyper, ὑπέρ, 'concerning/about') introduces the topic: the coming (parousias, παρουσίας, arrival/presence) of Christ and our gathering together (episynagōgēs, ἐπισυναγωγῆς, assembly/collection) to Him.
This references the rapture—believers caught up to meet Christ (1 Thess. 4:16-17). Paul will correct false teaching that this 'day of the Lord' had already occurred (v. 2). The church's reunion with Christ anchors Christian hope; confusion about its timing causes spiritual chaos. Paul grounds correction in pastoral gentleness—'brethren'—not harsh condemnation.