2 Thessalonians 2:1

CHAPTER II.

He exhorts the Thessalonians to stand fast in the faith, and

not to be alarmed at the rumours they heard concerning the

sudden coming of Christ, 1, 2.

Because, previously to this coming, there would be a great

apostasy from the true faith, and a manifestation of a son of

perdition, of whose unparalleled presumption he gives an awful

description; as well as of his pernicious success among men,

and the means which he would use to deceive and pervert the

world; and particularly those who do not receive the love of

the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness, 3-12.

He thanks God for their steadfastness; shows the great

privileges to which they were called; and prays that they may

be comforted and established in every good word and work,

13-17.

NOTES ON CHAP. II.

Verse 2 Thessalonians 2:1. We beseech you - by the coming of our Lord] It is evident that the Thessalonians, incited by deceived or false teachers, had taken a wrong meaning out of the words of the first epistle, 1 Thessalonians 4:15, c., concerning the day of judgment and were led then to conclude that that day was at hand; and this had produced great confusion in the Church: to correct this mistake, the apostle sent them this second letter, in which he shows that this day must be necessarily distant, because a great work is to be done previously to its appearing.

Of the day of general judgment he had spoken before, and said that it should come as a thief in the night, i.e. when not expected; but he did not attempt to fix the time, nor did he insinuate that it was either near at hand, or far off. Now, however, he shows that it must necessarily be far off, because of the great transactions which must take place before it can come.