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Note here, 1. The error which the apostle disproves, namely that the day of Christ, that is, the day of judgment, was then at hand, to come in a few years; which was very true with respect to his coming to destroy Jerusalem, but not as the final judgment.
Learn hence, That the time of Christ's coming to judgment must be patiently expected, but not postively determined.
Note, 2. The effect which this error might produce, namely, trouble and unsettledness of mind: That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or troubled: implying,
(1.) That errors breed trouble and disquietude of mind.
(2.) That Christians should be so established, and have such constancy of mind, that they should not be easily shaken and moved from the faith.
Note, 3. A removal of all the supposed foundations of this error, or the means which these imposters used to entice the Thessalonians to embrace it; and they are three, namely, spirit, word, and letter; Not by spirit, that is, be not shaken in mind by any pretence of spiritual or divine revelation; nor by word, by any pretended message or word from us; nor by letter, that is, nor by any thing contained in our former epistle, or in any spurious and counterfeit writings, passing under the apostle's name: mentioning as if Christ should come in that age wherein they loved. We need not wonder that St. Paul is so careful to obviate this error of the present coming and appearance of Christ, because, should the Thessalonians have depended upon it, and found themselves deceived in their expectation of it, it might have caused great trouble to them, and even shaken their steadfastness in faith.