2 Thessalonians 2:5

Remember ye not? In his two epistles to the Thessalonians the apostle frequently appeals to his former oral instruction (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:1, 9, 11; 3:4; 4:1; 5:1, 2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:10).

I told you. Rather, “I used to tell you,” as indicated by the Greek. It is unlikely that so conscientious a teacher as Paul would have failed to instruct his converts in so important a topic. That he can freely remind his readers of his former teaching shows that his views concerning the coming of Christ had undergone no change, and that he had not previously expected the Lord’s immediate appearing. At the same time, his written words are carefully framed, possibly with a view to avoiding political complications should his letter fall into opponents’ hands.