Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on 2 Thessalonians 2:1

CHAPTER 2

2Th 2:1-17. Correction of Their Error as to Christ's Immediate Coming. The Apostasy that Must Precede It. Exhortation to Steadfastness, Introduced with Thanksgiving for Their Election by God.

1. Now--rather, "But"; marking the transition from his prayers for them to entreaties to them.

we beseech you--or "entreat you." He uses affectionate entreaty, rather than stern reproof, to win them over to the right view.

by--rather, "with respect to"; as the Greek for "of" (2Co 1:8).

our gathering together unto him--the consummating or final gathering together of the saints to Him at His coming, as announced, Mt 24:31; 1Th 4:17. The Greek noun is nowhere else found except in He 10:25, said of the assembling together of believers for congregational worship. Our instinctive fears of the judgment are dispelled by the thought of being gathered together UNTO Him ("even as the hen gathereth her chickens under her wings"), which ensures our safety.