_Instruction regarding the Coming of the Man of Sin, his Power, Falsneness, and Destruction._ In order to remove the misunderstanding and allay the anxieties regarding our Lord's coming which had arisen from the First Epistle, Paul proceeds now to explain that previous to that great event certain o... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Thessalonians 2:1. CONCERNING THE COMING. The preposition used by Paul means perhaps something more than ‘concerning,' and is equivalent to ‘in explanation or defence of.' The coming of Christ had been misrepresented; Paul now does it justice by setting it in a clearer light. OUR GATHERING TOGET... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Thessalonians 2:2. THAT YE BE NOT SOON SHAKEN OUT OF YOUR MIND. Evidently Paul had heard that they had been excited by false impressions about the nearness of the Lord's coming, and had acted as men who had lost their senses, giving up their ordinary occupations and scandalizing sober-minded peopl... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Thessalonians 2:3. LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU BY ANY MEANS, either by professing superior enlightenment as if a spirit spoke through him, or by interpreting my words as if I had meant what he affirms. THE APOSTASY, of which Paul had spoken while at Thessalonica, and which our Lord predicted in Matthe... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCURSUS ON MAN OF SIN. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12. The obscurity of this passage arises partly from its prophetic character, partly from the circumstance that Paul is merely referring to what he had already explained by word of mouth. He does not feel himself called upon to repeat explanations which... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Thessalonians 2:4. WHO OPPOSETH who is the adversary of God and all that is good. The phrase will best be understood by referring to Daniel 11. AND EXALTETH HIMSELF AGAINST ALL THAT IS CALLED GOD OR THAT IS WORSHIPPED. The prediction of Daniel (Daniel 11:36, etc.) is couched in terms almost iden... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Thessalonians 2:5. This verse is inserted with a slight accent of surprise not altogether unmingled with reproach that they should have made so little of the instruction he had orally given them.... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Thessalonians 2:6. AND NOW. These words may either mark the present time in contrast with the time when Paul was with them, alluded to in the preceding verse; or may mark the slight transition to a different aspect of the subject. YE KNOW WHAT WITHHOLDETH. They knew because Paul had told them; we... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Thessalonians 2:7. FOR THE MYSTERY OF LAWLESSNESS DOTH ALREADY WORK. The wickedness which is finally to culminate in an individual, and in an open undisguised manner, already works in a hidden, mysterious way. In Paul's own day _‘_ there were shadows and forebodings, earnests, and operating elemen... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Thessalonians 2:8. AND THEN. As soon as the restraining influence is removed. THE LAWLESS ONE. That is, the Man of Sin above spoken of. WHOM THE LORD JESUS SHALL DESTROY. ‘Before describing his appearance, the apostle, as it were by way of consolation to the Church, anticipates his destruction... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Thessalonians 2:9. WHOSE COMING. Having by anticipation described the destruction of Antichrist, Paul now gives the characteristics of his coming. ACCORDING TO THE WORKING OF SATAN. The coming of the Man of Sin will be accompanied with such manifestations of power as are peculiar to Satan, viz.... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Thessalonians 2:10. AND IN ALL DECEITFULNESS OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. This more comprehensive expression is added to complete the description of the deceitfulness of the Man of Sin; he will come and win acceptance not only by doing wonders which seem miraculous, but by every kind of deceit which unscru... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Thessalonians 2:12. THAT THEY MAY ALL BE JUDGED. Ellicott says: ‘It need scarcely be said that κριθω ͂ σιν is not _per se “_ might be damned,” but simply “might be judged,” the further idea of an unfavourable judgment being supplied by the _context.'_ However, the familiar use of the word ‘judgmen... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Thessalonians 2:13. BUT WE ARE BOUND TO GIVE THANKS. The awful destiny of those who have not believed to the saving of their souls suggests to the apostle the value of faith and salvation; and this leads him to thank God for conferring those blessings on his much-loved Thessalonians. FROM THE BEG... [ Continue Reading ]
_Exhortation suitable to those whom God has saved from Unbelief and Unrighteousness_ Paul contrasts the condition and prospects of the believing Thessalonians with those persons of whom he has been speaking, who being habituated to untruth should fall victims to the deceit of the Man of Sin. He tha... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Thessalonians 2:14. WHEREUNTO. That is, to salvation through sanctification and faith. HE CALLED YOU BY OUR GOSPEL. ‘Calling, in the phraseology of Paul, is not a mere invitation or exhortation addressed in the name of God to an individual, through the medium of an apostle or other messenger, and... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Thessalonians 2:15. THEREFORE, BRETHREN, STAND FAST. ‘It might seem as if, when election is spoken of, God had already done all, and nothing was left for man to do. The opposite inference is that of the apostle' (Jowett). But the inference expressed in the word ‘therefore' is not from the immediat... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Thessalonians 2:16. BUT MAY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF. As all the instruction we can give you may fail to comfort and establish you, may the Lord Himself effect these blessed results in you, inwardly enabling you to accept the consolation and hope which are really within your reach. Who loved... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Thessalonians 2:17. EVERLASTING CONSOLATION. Everlasting, in contrast to all other comforts which are liable to come to an end, to be confronted with emergencies for which they are insufficient. The word ‘consolation' here indicates not so much the act of consoling as the ground of comfort. GOOD... [ Continue Reading ]