Do you not remember that I told you these things while I was still with you?
Parallel translations
- WEB Don’t you remember that, when I was still with you, I told you these things?
- KJV Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
- NKJV Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
- NASB Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?
- NLT Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul reminds them he had already taught these things in person. Their alarm came from forgetting instruction they had already received.
Overview
This brief rebuke shows that Paul had given the Thessalonians substantial teaching about the end during his short stay (Acts 17). It also explains why his words here are compressed, since he is recalling rather than fully re-explaining. The verse underscores the value of remembering sound teaching as a safeguard against deception and panic.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Gal 5:21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
- Matt 16:9Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
- John 16:4But I have told you these things so that when their hour comes, you will remember that I told you about them. I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.
- 2 Pet 1:15And I will make every effort to ensure that after my departure, you will be able to recall these things at all times.
- 2 Th 3:10For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”
- 1 Th 2:11For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—
- Luke 24:6–7He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee:
- Acts 20:31Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
- Mark 8:18‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Christ will be revealed from heaven in flaming fire, glorified in his saints, overthrowing the lawless one — the certain hope that steadies the suffering church.
How 2 Thessalonians 2:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.