2 Thessalonians 2:1
What does 2 Thessalonians 2:1 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Thessalonians 2:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Thessalonians 2:1 means
Paul opens with an earnest appeal about “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” and “our gathering together unto him.” He directs their attention to the central Christian hope: Jesus will return personally, and believers will be gathered to Him. This hope unites the church and steadies hearts under pressure. By naming both the Lord’s coming and our gathering, Paul frames the topic as both Christ-centered and church-encompassing, not a timetable for curiosity. The accent is relational—being with the Lord—and corporate—gathered as one people. He begins here to correct confusion, but his first move is to anchor their thoughts in the certainty and goodness of Christ’s promised return.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now as to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our meeting with him, it is our desire, my brothers,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And we ask you, brethren, in regard to the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our gathering together unto him,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and of our gathering together unto him:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Now we beg you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him,
Context
These opening words set the theme for the chapter. The Thessalonians had been shaken by claims that the “day of the Lord” had already begun. Before refuting errors, Paul reaffirms the true focus: Christ’s coming and our gathering to Him. From this anchor point he will warn against deception (v2–3), explain what must precede that day (the falling away and the man of sin, vv3–4), and show that God’s timing and restraint govern events (vv6–7). The introduction prepares readers to receive correction without losing hope.
v.1This passage
v.2to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just at hand;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 13:27
And then shall he send forth the angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
- Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?
- 2 Timothy 4:1
I chargetheein the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
- Matthew 25:32
and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats;
- Ephesians 1:10
unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him, I say,
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