2 Tessalonicenses 2

2 Tessalonicenses 2:2

Clarke on shaken - “The word to be shaken, signifies to be agitated as a ship at sea in a storm, and strongly marks the confusion and distress which the Thessalonians had felt in their false apprehension of this coming of Christ.” (Clarke) Vine explains that from your composure means "from sobriety, either to excitement or to anxiety. Believers are not to be controlled by the emotions, whether of dread or of desire, but by the mind, enlightened by the revelation of the mind of God." (Collected writings of W. E. Vine) Hiebert on from your composure - It is a reminder to them that "believers are not to be controlled by the emotions, whether of dread or of desire, but by the mind, enlightened by the revelation of the mind of God." (Ibid) Composure (3563)(nous) refers to the seat of understanding (Lk 24:45), the faculty of intellectual perception (1Cor 14:15, Ro 12:2 "renewing of your mind") and moral judgment (Ro 7:25 = "with my mind am serving the law of God"). Nous is the God given faculty of perceiving and understanding and is the channel through which truth (or in the present passage error!) reaches the heart (figuratively the "control center" of our being). Paul is saying don't allow these lies to shake from that firm foundation of that which you know is Truth. The writer of Hebrews would say hold on to your anchor of hope (Heb 6:19,20). Be diligent and you will have full assurance of hope until the end (Heb 6:11) whether it be by falling asleep or by Rapture. Don't abide in these false teachings saying that the Day of the Lord has already begun. You Thessalonians may be experiencing afflictions but this is still not the Day of the Lord. To reiterate a basic Biblical principle sound doctrine (2Th 2:1-12) is the basis for sober (minded) living (2Th 3:6-15) Hampton Keathley - Through the study of God’s Word, Christians are to know and become anchored in the Truth. The goal is that they become transformed by that truth through the renewing of their minds (Ro 12:1-2-note), not shaken from that truth and thus in a state of worry or disturbance by the many turbulent waves and winds of false doctrine promoted by the false teaching of men (see Eph 4:14-note). (2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 Correction) Related Resources: Mind - Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Mind - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Be disturbed (2360)(throeo from threomai = the cry or wail; Thayer says throeo is derived from thros = clamor, tumult) means to cry aloud or scream thus conveying a feeling of fright or alarm. Jesus uses throeo in the prophetic Olivet Discourse exhorting us in light of wars and rumors of wars "See that you are not frightened." (Mt 24:6) In 2Th 2:2 throeo is in the passive voice which means to be inwardly aroused, to be disturbed, to be frightened, to be startled. The use of the present tense with a preceding negative is an exhortation to stop continually being shaken by the false teaching. Here's the idea - Don't continue to be startled and surprised to the point that you are terrified and clamoring because you're in such a state of nervous excitement. John