Tag: shaken

2 Thessalonians 2:2 – No, Not Yet

Posted on by Will

that you not be quickly shaken in mind nor troubled, either by a spirit or by a message or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ is come.

Truth to Learn

All Christians need to read and study the Bible for themselves.

 

Behind the Words

In the previous verse, the words “we ask” are from erōtaō, meaning “to make a request.” Then, this verse starts out with eis to, which is one of Paul’s favorite idioms, indicating the subject of Paul’s request. Today, we might say, “Please … don’t be quickly shaken …”

“quickly” is translated from tacheōs, meaning “quickly,” “hastily,” or “soon.”

The word “shaken” is from saleuō, which is based on the noun salos, meaning “an ocean wave.” It is a picture of a ship being buffeted by waves. Thus, saleuō means “to be rocked back and forth” or “to be shaken up.”

“Troubled” is from the verb throeō, based on the noun throos, meaning “the loud, disturbing noise of a riotous crowd.” Thus, throeō (expressed here in the passive voice) means “to be troubled, disturbed, or terrified.”

Logos is the Greek word translated “message.” It literally refers to intelligence or a word, discourse, or saying as an expression of that intelligence.

The words “is come” are translated from the verb enistēmi, which is a compound word made up of en, meaning “in” or “with” and histēmi, meaning “to stand.” Thus, it means “to be present” or “to be at hand.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense, which in Greek means an action that occurred in the past, but with present ongoing effect, where the emphasis is on the effect. In other words, Paul is using this word to mean that the day of Christ has come and is now here.

 

Meaning Explained

When Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy started the church in Thessalonica, they apparently had given instruction in the soon return of Christ to gather all believers to Himself (the Rapture) and the ensuing judgment of God against the unbelieving world (the Tribulation and future judgments). In his first letter to this church, Paul gave additional instruction regarding the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Now he tells them not to be easily shaken or disturbed by false teachings regarding these events.

There were three possible sources of these false teachings. The first is “by a spirit.” This indicates that this teaching was supposedly given to a “spirit-filled” teacher or prophet speaking by direct revelation from God. The second is “by a message,” implying that it is a message given verbally, probably as part of a sermon. The third is “by a letter,” indicating a written message. Understand that it was not uncommon during the early years of the church for letters to be sent by imposters claiming to be Paul or another of the apostles.

Before we finish, we need to observe that the word translated “Christ” (christos) is disputed. The earliest and best manuscripts have the word translated “Lord” (kurios) instead. This is an important distinction since, as Paul has taught previously, the Day of Christ refers to the Rapture, but the Day of the Lord refers to God’s judgment against the world. The message of these false teachers was not that the rapture had already happened, but that the Tribulation had begun. Given the persecution and tribulation they were suffering, it would have been fairly easy to convince the Thessalonians that this was true. In the following verses, Paul will tell us of several things that must occur before the Tribulation will begin.

 

Application

Very few preachers or teachers intentionally teach false doctrine; they simply teach what they have been taught or what they believe based on their own study. It is critical for us to read and study the Bible for ourselves and verify all such teaching (see Acts 17:11). No matter how great the teacher or preacher, don’t believe their message without verifying it yourself based on your own study of what the Bible teaches!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 3:3 – Suffering From God

Posted on by Will

that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed unto this.

Truth to Learn

Some of our suffering is because God has determined it.

 

Behind the Words

“No one” is translated from mēdeis. This word is made up of mē, which is a conditional negative particle meaning “not,” de, meaning “but” or “and,” and heis, the numeral “one.” Thus, this word literally means “and not one” or “no one.”

The words “should be shaken” are from the verb sainō, meaning “to move back and forth as a dog wags its tail.” Figuratively, this word means “to move back and forth in the mind,” that is, “to be mentally agitated.”

“Afflictions” is from the Greek word thlipsis, which is based on the verb thilbō, meaning “to squeeze” or “to crush.” Thus, thlipsis refers to “pressure, stress, trouble, or affliction.”

The word translated “appointed” is keimai, which literally means “to lie down” or “to set in place.” So, we could paraphrase this as, “that we were put in place for this purpose.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul told the Thessalonians that he had sent Timothy to them, since he was hindered from going there himself. And, he says that he sent Timothy with the expressed purpose of helping them to become firmly established and grounded in their faith. Since Paul had spent such a short time in Thessalonica, he had not been able to instruct them completely in the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. Knowing how critical good doctrine is to a sound Christian faith and a victorious Christian life, Paul wanted to ensure that the Thessalonians began their faith walk on firm footing.

The other reason that Paul had sent Timothy was to comfort and encourage them. In today’s verse we get a hint of why Paul wanted the Thessalonians to be grounded and comforted. It was because of “these afflictions.” Now the question we have to ask ourselves is, “What afflictions is Paul talking about?” Some people may mistakenly think he’s talking about the persecution the Thessalonian Christians are going through at the hands of their countrymen. However, based on the rules of grammar and the context of surrounding verses, it is apparent that Paul is talking about the affliction that he and his companions were suffering in being hindered from returning themselves.

Paul now makes an interesting statement. He says that the Thessalonians were fully aware that these afflictions had been laid out for them. What does he mean by that? From the book of Acts we learn that at the time of Paul’s (Saul’s) conversion, the Lord told Ananias this about Paul:

For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake. (Acts 9:16)

The obvious conclusion, therefore, is that Jesus Himself determined ahead of time that Paul was going to suffer in his ministry for God.

 

Application

I’ve heard a number of Christians say, “Why is God allowing this to happen to me? I’m being faithful. I’m following His leading. I’m being obedient.” The reason for these afflictions (some of them at least) is not because of rebellious sinfulness, but because God determined ahead of time that they would happen. Why? So that we will get stronger and so He will get all the glory for everything we do in His name.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 2:2 – No, Not Yet

Posted on by Will

not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.

Truth to Learn

All Christians need to read and study the Bible for themselves.

Behind the Words

In the previous verse, the words “we ask” are from erōtaō, meaning “to make a request.” Then, this verse starts out with eis to, which is one of Paul’s favorite idioms, indicating the subject of Paul’s request. Today, we might say, “Please … don’t be soon shaken …”

“Soon” is translated from tacheōs, meaning “quickly,” “hastily,” or “soon.”

The word “shaken” is from saleuō, which is based on the noun salos, meaning “an ocean wave.” It is a picture of a ship being buffeted by waves. Thus, saleuō means “to be rocked back and forth” or “to be shaken up.”

“Troubled” is from the verb throeō, based on the noun throos, meaning “the loud, disturbing noise of a riotous crowd.” Thus, throeō (expressed here in the passive voice) means “to be troubled, disturbed, or terrified.”

Meaning Explained

When Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy started the church in Thessalonica, they apparently had given instruction in the soon return of Christ to gather all believers to Himself (the Rapture) and the ensuing judgment of God against the unbelieving world (the Tribulation and future judgments). In his first letter to this church, Paul gave additional instruction regarding the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Now he tells them not to be easily shaken or disturbed by false teachings regarding these events.

There were three possible sources of these false teachings. The first is “by spirit.” This indicates that this teaching was supposedly given to a “spirit-filled” teacher or prophet speaking by direct revelation from God. The second is “by word,” implying that it is a message given verbally, probably as part of a sermon. The third is “by letter,” indicating a written message. Understand that it was not uncommon during the early years of the church for letters to be sent by imposters claiming to be Paul or another of the apostles.

Before we finish, we need to observe that the word translated “Christ” (christos) is disputed. The earliest and best manuscripts have the word translated “Lord” (kurios) instead. This is an important distinction since, as Paul has taught previously, the Day of Christ refers to the Rapture, but the Day of the Lord refers to God’s judgment against the world. The message of these false teachers was not that the rapture had already happened, but that the Tribulation had begun. Given the persecution and tribulation they were suffering, it would have been fairly easy to convince the Thessalonians that this was true. In the following verses, Paul will tell us of several things that must occur before the Tribulation will begin.

Application

Very few preachers or teachers intentionally teach false doctrine; they simply teach what they have been taught or what they believe based on their own study. It is critical for us to read and study the Bible for ourselves and verify all such teaching (see Acts 17:11). No matter how great the teacher or preacher, don’t believe their message without verifying it yourself based on your own study of what the Bible teaches!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Thessalonians 3:3 – Suffering From God

Posted on by Will

that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

Truth to Learn

Some of our suffering is because God has determined it.

Behind the Words

“No one” is translated from mēdeis. This word is made up of mē, which is a conditional negative particle meaning “not,” de, meaning “but” or “and,” and heis, the numeral “one.” Thus, this word literally means “and not one” or “no one.”

The words “should be shaken” are from the verb sainō, meaning “to move back and forth as a dog wags its tail." Figuratively, this word means “to move back and forth in the mind,” that is, “to be mentally agitated.”

“Afflictions” is from the Greek word thlipsis, which is based on the verb thilbō, meaning “to squeeze” or “to crush.” Thus, thlipsis refers to “pressure, stress, trouble, or affliction.”

The word translated “appointed” is keimai, which literally means “to lie down” or “to set in place.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul told the Thessalonians that he had sent Timothy to them, since he was hindered from going there himself. And, he says that he sent Timothy with the expressed purpose of helping them to become firmly established and grounded in their faith. Since Paul had spent such a short time in Thessalonica, he had not been able to instruct them completely in the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. Knowing how critical good doctrine is to a sound Christian faith and a victorious Christian life, Paul wanted to ensure that the Thessalonians began their faith walk on firm footing.

The other reason that Paul had sent Timothy was to comfort and encourage them. In today’s verse we get a hint of why Paul wanted the Thessalonians to be grounded and comforted. It was because of “these afflictions.” Now the question we have to ask ourselves is, “What afflictions is Paul talking about?” Some people may mistakenly think he’s talking about the persecution the Thessalonian Christians are going through at the hands of their countrymen. However, based on the rules of grammar and the context of surrounding verses, it is apparent that Paul is talking about the affliction that he and his companions were suffering in being hindered from returning themselves.

Paul now makes an interesting statement. He says that the Thessalonians were fully aware that these afflictions had been laid out for them. What does he mean by that? From the book of Acts we learn that at the time of Paul’s (Saul’s) conversion, the Lord told Ananias this about Paul:

For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake. (Acts 9:16)

The obvious conclusion, therefore, is that Jesus Himself determined ahead of time that Paul was going to suffer in his ministry for God.

Application

I.ve  heard a number of Christians say, “Why is God allowing this to happen to me? I’m being faithful. I’m following His leading. I’m being obedient.” The reason for these afflictions (some of them at least) is not because of rebellious sinfulness, but because God determined ahead of time that they would happen. Why? So that we will get stronger and so He will get all the glory for everything we do in His name.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved