2Th 2:2 | JFB | STEP | 2. soon —on trifling grounds, without due consideration. shaken —literally, "tossed" as ships tossed by an agitated sea. Compare for the same image, . in mind —rather as the Greek, " from your mind," that is, from your mental steadfastness on the subject. troubled —This verb applies to emotional agitation; as "shaken" to intellectual. by spirit —by a person professing to have the spirit of prophecy ( ). The Thessalonians had been warned ( ) to "prove" such professed prophesyings, and to "hold fast (only) that which is good." by word — of mouth (compare ); some word or saying alleged to be that of Paul, orally communicated. If oral tradition was liable to such perversion in the apostolic age (compare a similar instance, ), how much more in our age! by letter as from us —purporting to be from us, whereas it is a forgery. Hence he gives a test by which to know his genuine letters ( ). day of Christ —The oldest manuscripts read, "day of the Lord. " is at hand —rather, "is immediately imminent, " literally, "is present "; "is instantly coming." Christ and His apostles always taught that the day of the Lord's coming is at hand; and it is not likely that Paul would imply anything contrary here; what he denies is, that it is so immediately imminent, instant, or present, as to justify the neglect of everyday worldly duties. CHRYSOSTOM , and after him ALFORD , translates, "is (already) present" (compare ), a kindred error. But in , the same Greek verb is translated "come." WAHL supports this view. The Greek is usually used of actual presence; but is quite susceptible of the translation, "is all but present."

2 Thessalonians 2:2

2. soon—on trifling grounds, without due consideration.

shaken—literally, "tossed" as ships tossed by an agitated sea. Compare for the same image, Eph 4:14.

in mind—rather as the Greek, "from your mind," that is, from your mental steadfastness on the subject.

troubled—This verb applies to emotional agitation; as "shaken" to intellectual.

by spirit—by a person professing to have the spirit of prophecy (1Co 12:8-10; 1Jo 4:1-3). The Thessalonians had been warned (1Th 5:20, 21) to "prove" such professed prophesyings, and to "hold fast (only) that which is good."

by word—of mouth (compare 2Th 2:5, 15); some word or saying alleged to be that of Paul, orally communicated. If oral tradition was liable to such perversion in the apostolic age (compare a similar instance, Joh 21:23), how much more in our age!

by letter as from us—purporting to be from us, whereas it is a forgery. Hence he gives a test by which to know his genuine letters (2Th 3:17).

day of Christ—The oldest manuscripts read, "day of the Lord."

is at hand—rather, "is immediately imminent," literally, "is present"; "is instantly coming." Christ and His apostles always taught that the day of the Lord's coming is at hand; and it is not likely that Paul would imply anything contrary here; what he denies is, that it is so immediately imminent, instant, or present, as to justify the neglect of everyday worldly duties. CHRYSOSTOM, and after him ALFORD, translates, "is (already) present" (compare 2Ti 2:18), a kindred error. But in 2Ti 3:1, the same Greek verb is translated "come." WAHL supports this view. The Greek is usually used of actual presence; but is quite susceptible of the translation, "is all but present."