2 Thessalonians 2

David Lipscomb Commentary On 2 Thessalonians 22 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,—Paul presented in the preceding chap­ter the coming of the Lord, and the gathering of his people to him, and the judgments visited on the wicked, and the rewards of the righteous. He had taught them in the first Epistle (5:2) that the day of the Lord should come as a thief in the night when they were not expecting him. It is now clear that some had taught that the day of the Lord would speedily come. Then, as now, the people were easily excited over this question, were excited and unfitted for the faithful performance of everyday duties of Christians. Paul wrote this Epistle to correct the false teaching that had so excited them.and our gathering together unto him;—[The word trans­lated “ gathering together” occurs only once again in the New Testament, where it is used with reference to the assembling of Christians for worship. (Hebrews 10:25.) Here it is used with reference to the assembling of believers to Christ, when he shall be revealed from heaven; it refers not to the raising of the dead, but the gathering together of the saints who are alive.]2 Thessalonians 2:2to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled,—They had evidently been excited by false impressions about the nearness of the Lord’ s coming, and had acted as men who had lost their sense, giving up their ordinary occupations and scandalizing sober-minded people. The word shaken marks that shaken and disquieted state of mind which was due to wild spiritual anticipations.

To prevent this in­stability and disorder Paul now again writes to them.either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just at hand;—That they would not know when he would come was so clearly revealed that none of the things mentioned should move them on the sub­ject. Just as he said: “ But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, Jet him be anathema.” (Galatians 1:8.) In other words, the truth that none would or could know the time of his coming was so fixed that no one could truthfully say it could be known.2 Thessalonians 2:3let no man beguile you in any wise:—[They were sur­rounded by many influences tending either to lead them into error and delusion or into unbelief.

Whatever device they might adopt— spirit, letter, or whatnot— they were deceivers or deceived; they were warned not to be deceived by them.]for it will not be, except the falling away come first,—A widespread apostasy from God, on the part of his followers, was to arise within the church. The foundation principle of the falling away is the assumption of the right to change or modify the laws and commandments of God.and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,—There has been much diversity in the religious world as to what is “ the man of sin,” “ the son of perdition.” Most Protestants say the Roman Catholic Church is the man of sin. I doubt if any organization is “ the man of sin.” A principle was at work that would set aside God’ s order and establish one of its own in its stead. It leads to ruin and perdition— is called the son of perdition.2 Thessalonians 2:4he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped;—This principle under dif­fering circumstances works out different developments and organizations. The highest, the most sacred right, and pre­rogative that God has reserved to himself is the right to make laws for his kingdom and to rule it. This he jealously guards because it lies at the foundation of his claims to be God, and out of this grows all other claims.

It requires as great authority to repeal or change a law as it does to enact it; hence, the power that enacts laws for God’s people repeats or changes the laws of God, exalts itself into a rival and an opponent of God.so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.—Whoever or whatever claims the right to legislate for the children of God exalts himself or itself against all that is God and sits in the seat of God. This principle, that claims the right to change the order of God and to legislate for the church of God, is the man of sin.

The principle develops dif­ferent bodies or forms, according to surrounding circum­stances. Roman Catholicism, I have no doubt, is one develop­ment or outgrowth of this man of sin. But the same principle manifests itself in many different forms in the history of the church.2 Thessalonians 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?—The spirit of lawlessness was at work in Paul’ s day. The principle was just developing itself. It was not a grown man. It was really an unborn babe. It took several hundred years to prow into papacy. All the time back to Paul’ s day it was that same man of sin in different stages of growth.

It was the same person in its essential nature and character from its conception until its complete development in the papacy. It is easy in history to trace it back to its appearance at its birth. Its essential character was that it assumed the right to change and modify the order and ap­pointments to legislate for the kingdom of God. Wherever that principle is found, there the mystery of iniquity is. This is its one essential character.All organizations, institutions, and practices in the church that grow out of the exercise by man or men of this power are developments of the man of sin. Some one body, by pre­eminence in time or power, may be called the “ man of sin,” but all are of the same family, even though less pronounced in character.

This principle has not confined itself to one church or to one development, but has made many and varied growths, each shaped by the conditions and surroundings, of its growth. Whenever or wherever men in the church have added to, taken from, or changed the laws, institutions, or order God has ordained, there the man of sin is at work.

The outgrowth of that principle, wherever found, is a development of the man of sin. 2 Thessalonians 2:6 And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season.—The disposition to amend and change the appointments of God was at work and was restrained in its growth by Paul’ s authority as an apostle of the Lord; but when he was taken out of the way it had free course and developed rapidly. It is not difficult to trace its growth through the succeeding centuries, culminating in hierarchies for which God’ s word made no provision. But that principle is not confined to one or two churches. Its presence is manifest in a greater or lesser degree in all the churches, in the changes in the order of worship, in the ordi­nances of the church; and in the multiplication of societies and organizations that seem for a time to add to its beauty and activity, but which in the end, as parasites, sap the life out of the churches. This principle is manifest especially in the organizations of the churches themselves into societies and ecclesiasticisms that first usurp the work of the churches and then control them and come between man and God.God placed the churches as distinct congregations connected with each other only by the bonds of faith and love. The office of the congregation is in the ordinances and teachings to bring man into close and constant contact with God and to cultivate a sense of personal responsibility and nearness to him.

This condition will bring out all that is best in him and stir him to zeal in the service of God. God’ s service leads to doing good to man in his name.

All added organizations come between and separate man from God. They make his service a proxy service, which destroys his sense of account­ability to God and weakens his zeal and devotion. Obedience to God’ s order as he gave it builds up his kingdom, and the substitution of a human order destroys it, and changes it into the “ man of sin.” All efforts to consolidate the churches into one organization for any purpose must be manifestations of this principle, and must result in the turning of the churches from fidelity to God. This was typified in the Jewish people. The consolidation of the people into one nation was rebellion against God, and resulted in their ruin as a people. No power should come between the churches of Christ and God. Any such breaks the sense of responsibility to God, and is the mystery of iniquity that sits in the seat of God, displeases him, and will bring ruin sooner or later to his church. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work:—The influence is called “ the mystery of lawlessness" because it is not open in its work, is not seen, and is of the spirit that sets aside the law of God. It is not regulated by the law, has no law to guide or control it. It was already at work, spreading among the children of God, when this Epistle was written.only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.—Paul, protesting against the lawless power, main­taining the sole authority of God in the work and worship of the church, insisting that all should give heed to the things they had seen and learned of him, and should follow his in­structions closely as he had followed Christ, was the restrain­ing power about to be taken out of the way. This accords fully with Paul’ s style. (2 Corinthians 12:1-16.)2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one,—When Paul should be taken out of the way then this spirit of lawlessness would run riotously and carry the great body of Christians and churches into apostasy.whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth,—The breath of his mouth means his word. All this power to legislate, make, repeal, change the laws, add to the institutions that God has appointed is of “ the man of sin.” Taking the Roman Catholic hierarchy as the development of the man of sin, as I am sure it is, it will be seen that this mystery of lawlessness developed into the “ man of sin” only after several hundred years’ growth. But the principle was at work in the days of Paul and developed into activity soon after he was taken out of the way and grew into the great Romish hierarchy.

Can we find the first developments of the man of sin? What it was in its childhood? We should understand this, lest we unconsciously nurse an infant of the same brood into life and vigor. and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming;—[That is, as soon as his coming shall be made manifest. The very sight of the advancing King shall carry terror to the heart of his adversary and bring to utter ruin. The vision of him from afar shall be, as it were, instant destruction of his foes.]2 Thessalonians 2:9even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,—Satan in the days of miracles wrought all forms and deceptions that unrighteousness could invent to lead to destruction those that obey him. When and where signs and lying wonders were performed, it is difficult to tell. In the age when Christ and the apostles and prophets wrought wonders, the devil and his emissaries did also. There were miracles of evil wrought in the early age of the church by the evil one as there were wrought by Jesus and his disciples.

As these miracles of his disciples were said to follow them that believe do follow them as their heritage handed down from the early church, so also these miracles of evil wrought in the days of the early church.2 Thessalonians 2:10and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.—And this evil comes to the destruction of those who disobey God, because when they learned the truth they did not receive it in the love of the truth. To receive it in the love of it was to receive it in the heart and obey it in all of its precepts: “ For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.” (1 John 5:3.) To love the truth is to obey it.

To know the truth and not obey it is to “ hinder the truth in unrighteousness.” (Romans 1:18.) There is no more dangerous condition for man than for him to know the truth and refuse to obey it. To do this is to harden the heart and make the condemnation sure.2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie:—When one knows the truth and refuses to obey it. he is a fit subject for following any delusion that sweeps over the land. The prophet teaches the same thing: “ Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations: I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did that which was evil in mine eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not.” (Isaiah 66:3-4.) This teaches plainly that when men know the truth, refuse to receive it in the love of it, refuse to obey it, they hold it in unrighteous­ness, and God sends strong delusions upon them that they should believe a lie. [Of all fatal effects of sin, none looks so dreadfully, none strikes so just an horror into considering minds as that every sinful action a man does naturally dis­poses him to do anything so ill, that it does not prove a preparative and introduction to the doing of something worse.]The number of men who are willing to work on either side of a question that will pay would be surprising to those not in position to know and who have not become accustomed to such things. It is the discouraging feature about the work of the churches today. So few men are willing to stand to their convictions— nay are willing to have convictions on any sub­ject that will interfere with their worldly success. But truth can never be maintained, save by those who are willing to honor their own convictions, cherish a keen sense of right, are afraid of the least participation in that which is wrong, and will honor and maintain the truth, let it cost what it may of popularity or private prosperity.

Let us, then, drink deeply of the essence of the spirit of Christ. Without it the Christian religion cannot exist,2 Thessalonians 2:12that they all might be judged who believed not the truth,—To know the, truth and refuse to obey it is not to believe it with the earnest living faith that God requires and blesses.

If a man at heart desires to do the whole will of God, God’ s will in its fullness will be opened to him that he may do it. God does not cast pearls before swine. When a people desire not to do the will of God, God withdraws the knowledge of himself from them. We may Infer that when men wish to do only a part of his will, he permits only partial knowledge of himself to be known. This doubtless explains why so many professed Christians seem never able to see portions of the will of God; they do not desire to do it all. They see only what they wish to do. “ Blindness in part” has happened to those people.but had pleasure in unrighteousness.—Instead of that faith that works by Jove and obeys God in doing his will, they had pleasure in doing the things that were displeasing to him. [They are credulous of that which falls in with their evil in­clination.

Wicked men are of wickedness.]2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord,—Paul felt bound to give thanks to God for them because they pursued the opposite course from those who held the truth in unrighteousness.for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation—[From what time was it from which these persons were chosen? As the choosing was “ in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth," it is impossible that the choosing could have preceded the belief of the truth through which it was effected.

Then it was the beginning of their spiritual life when they heard the gospel and became obedient to it— the time of their conversion.]in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:—All who hear and obey the truth as revealed by the Spirit through the inspired apostles are sanctified by the Spirit, and are God’ s chosen ones. Those who will not be thus guided refuse to let God sanctify them, for in so doing they reject the means God uses to accomplish that end.Many think to know truth is sufficient: but the truth must be so received into the heart that it is warmed into life that it may assimilate the feelings and purposes of the heart to its needs in producing in the heart the new living plant of faith that bears the fruits of love and holiness. The seed that falls into the earth will remain barren and unfruitful unless it so comes into contact with the moisture and warmth of the soil as to excite to activity the germ of life within the seed. Then this aroused principle of life so appropriates to itself the strength and richness of the soil as to produce a new plant that will multiply the seed sown. The word of God is the seed of the kingdom sown in the heart; and when properly cherished, it appropriates all the better qualities to the growth of a spiritual plant that will abundantly multiply the seed sown. The great end, then, is not simply to get the seed sown— the word known— but to get it into the conditions that will energize the life principle and cause it to root and ground itself in the heart and direct and appropriate all the feelings of the heart.

This can be done by cherishing the word of God in the heart and seeking to have it permeate our whole being.2 Thessalonians 2:14whereunto he called you through our gospel,—God called all who believed the gospel that he might sanctify and purify and fit them to obtain the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.—They were called by the gospel to school and fit them to share the glorious inheritance of the saints in light. [The glory of the saints will be complete and secure in the completeness of his glory.— ‘‘We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is.” (1 John 3:2.)]2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brethren, stand fast,—Because they had been called by the gospel to this glorious end, he exhorts them to stand fast in the faith, and hold to the teaching they had re­ceived from him.and hold the traditions which ye were taught,—Traditions were handed down from one to another or taught, and is used in both a good and a bad sense in the Scriptures. The people were warned against the traditions of the elders which dis­placed and made void the commandments of God.

Jesus said: “ Ye leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradi­tion of men.” (Mark 7:8.) The traditions that they had been taught by Paul, by word or letter, were the commandments which he had given to them.whether by word, or by epistle of ours.—[Traditions as used in this passage are the teachings and precepts which the in­spired men taught as the precepts of God, whether they taught them by the word of mouth or by writing. Paul draws no distinction between oral and written tradition as was done later. The worth of tradition lies not in the form, but in the source and quality of the thing. Paul says: “For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-24.) In this he was communicating to the church by epistle and stamps it with the authority of his spoken word. The sentence asserts the claim of the true apostolic teaching as against any who would beguile the church away from it. “ Now I praise you that ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.” (1 Corinthians 11:2.)]2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us—Paul commends them to God that they might be by him directly cheered and maintained in the evil day. “ Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us.” (1 John 4:10.) “ Even when we were dead through our tres­passes, made us alive together with Christ . . . and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:5-6.) “ Hereby know we love, because he laid down his life for us.” (1 John 3:16.)and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,—Freely, not in discharge of obligation, but without restraint of any kind. Hope here describes the happy anticipation of good.

The element of uncertainty with the consequent dis­appointment, which is the essence of all hope among men of the world, has no place in the hope of the faithful Christian. “ Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is.” (1 John 3:2.)2 Thessalonians 2:17comfort your hearts—Comfort implies more than the merely external condition of enjoyment, exemption from an­noyance, or even relief from affliction; these are later and lesser meanings.

To comfort was originally to impart strength, fortitude, cheerful energy, and in the passages in the New Testament, the word should be understood in this sense. When we come thus to understand the word, it invests it with fresh significance.and establish them in every good work and word.—[Bring your Christian life to maturity and strength. The order is significant; practice should precede precept “ that ye may be­come blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life.” (Philippians 2:15-16.) The phrase comprehends the whole Christian conduct, private and public.]

Verse 1 2 Thessalonians 2The great feature of this chapter, of course, is Paul’s great prophecy of “the man of sin” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10), for a full discussion of which, see excursus at the end of the chapter. The prophecy is preceded by a warning that the Thessalonians should not expect the Second Advent immediately (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2), and followed by an expression of renewed thanksgiving and prayer upon their behalf (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17). Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him; (2 Thessalonians 2:1) This outlines the chapter, which regards the Second Advent, an event which the Thessalonians had mistakenly assumed to be “just at hand,” some of them actually having stopped work in anticipation of it! The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ … For comments on this title, see under 2 Thessalonians 1:2. “Coming” in this place refers to the final Advent and not to some manifestation of power and grace prior to the Advent. Our gathering together unto him … The great feature of the final day will be the uniting of believers with the Lord. The expression “gathering together” is found nowhere else in the New Testament except in Hebrews 10:25, where it signifies the gathering together of the Christians for worship.[1]ENDNOTE: [1] Leon Morris, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Epistles to the Thessalonians (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1956), p. 124. Verse 2 to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just at hand;This is Paul’s denial that he ever taught that the judgment day was “at hand” in his lifetime. True, some of the Thessalonians had mistakenly understood it that way, but it was their fault by doing so, not Paul’s; and in the same manner, the exegetes of our own times who are always prattling about Christ and the apostles being mistaken in their assumption that the Second Advent was soon to arrive have mistakenly read the New Testament, and it is their fault, not the fault of the New Testament. In fact, Satan may have had a strong hand in fostering the misunderstanding. Hendriksen said: In view of 2 Thessalonians 3:17, the idea that someone had even sent a forged letter (a letter purporting to be from Paul) - though open to certain objections - cannot be lightly dismissed.[2]Shaken from your mind … This means “thrown off the course of sound reasoning and thinking."[3]It is clear enough from this verse that Paul denied having anything whatever to do with creating the false notion in the heads of the some of the Thessalonians that they might expect the coming of the Lord at once! [2] William Hendriksen, A New Testament Commentary, Epistles to the Thessalonians (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1955), p. 168. [3] David A. Hubbard, Wycliffe New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1971), p. 832. Verse 3 let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,There is no hint here regarding the length of the time interval between the time Paul wrote and the actual coming of Christ in the Second Advent. In the light of intervening events, we now know that centuries and millenniums of time were to elapse before the final judgment; but as regards the actual date, we are no better off than were they. The event is still scheduled for a time yet future; and, as the mystery of lawlessness was working then, so it is now; but no man can know how long it will be before the Lord comes. The man of sin … See excursus on this at the end of the notes on this chapter. He is the same as the “lawless one” in 2 Thessalonians 2:8, with this distinction, that “the man of sin” refers to a progressive development of an anti-Christian influence, whereas “the lawless one” is thought by many to refer to some terminal and final embodiment of evil. The interpretation presented here is that the man of sin has indeed appeared. The man of sin sitteth in the temple; he exalts himself; he is a false apostle, the son of perdition; names of blasphemy are upon his head; and he is drunken with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus; but his course is not yet run. The final usurpation of the place of God himself has not yet taken place. The son of perdition … Judas is the only other person so designated in the New Testament. Just as he was the object of prior prophecy, so also is the apostle of apostasy. Verse 4 he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.This verse is understood as revealing the character of the final lawless one who shall be the culmination of that evil progression, or as marking the true spiritual import of those innovations and corruptions which have been exhibited by the “man of sin” (in a collective sense) as already historically revealed. A strong case may be made out for either view. All that is called God … A persecutor of the church exalts himself against God in the person of his followers; a perverter of the word of God exalts himself against God in his word. Or that is worshipped … This indicates the total atheism and unbounded egotism of the ultimate man of sin. Sitteth in the temple of God … There can be no way that this is a reference to the Jewish temple. Paul, who wrote the Corinthians that “Ye are the temple of God,” would never have made that den of thieves and robbers in Jerusalem the “temple of God” historically. First, it means the church of Jesus Christ; but in context it means the apostate church of Jesus Christ, a deduction that is mandatory from the fact of the apostasy being Paul’s subject in this paragraph. Therefore, whenever and wherever the “man of sin” appears it will be in the church apostate! Sitteth … This is a most peculiar verb to be used in such a context; and this writer, who has seen the Pope borne into the Basilica of St. Peter, hoisted above the people and elevated above the high altar upon the shoulders of those who carry him (literally “sitting”) into the sanctuary cannot escape the deep. impression that a prophecy of that very spectacle is imbedded in this remarkable verb. Who else, ever, in the history of humanity, always entered the church house “sitting,” and even taking the Lord’s Supper “sitting”? Luther was outraged by this, and said, “Let the Pope stand up to take the Lord’s Supper, like any other stinking sinner.” Setting himself forth as God … The papacy fulfills this in the blasphemous titles of the supreme pontiff, but there may be a more drastic fulfillment of it in the revelation of the terminal “man of sin.” Verse 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?This verse is made the excuse by some not to undertake the interpretation of this prophecy at all. They say the Thessalonians had information about it which we do not have, and that, therefore, we should consider it a closed prophecy. Paul, however, is not the only New Testament writer who discoursed on this subject. See excursus at end of chapter. Furthermore, Paul here gives a summary of what he had already taught them. We have all of the information that is necessary. Verse 6 And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season.That which restraineth … This is viewed generally, by nearly all schools of interpreters, as being the Roman government. This is supported by the context in that it would explain why Paul spoke so guardedly of its being taken out of the way.” However, the prophecy reaches far beyond the fall of the ancient empire; and the best view of this is, in all probability, that of Hendriksen: Of all the theories advanced so far, the one which seems to have most in its favor is that in which the restrainer is “the power of well-ordered human rule,” or as Ellicott’s Commentary has it, “the principle of legality as opposed to that of lawlessness."[4]The principle of law and order, as enforced by human authority, is “that which restraineth” until he be taken out of the way. This means that Satan will continually use every device, pursue every opportunity, and employ every diabolical instrument in his efforts to break down law and order in society. Hence, for the time being, the worst Satan can do is to promote the spirit of lawlessness. But this does not satisfy him. It is as if he and his man of sin bide their time. At the divinely decreed moment (the appropriate time) when, as a punishment for man’s willingness to cooperate with this spirit, the “someone” and “something” that now holds back is removed, Satan will begin to carry out his plans.[5][4] William Hendriksen, op. cit., p. 181. [5] Ibid., p. 183. Verse 7 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.In the Greek, the restraining power is spoken of, both as “he” and as “it,” as when a man might speak of the law as “it,” and of the enforcer of it as “he.” Of course the Roman government was the principal authority of the age in which Paul wrote; and, as long as there was a strong central government in Rome, the spiritual empire of the papists was unable fully to develop. It was with the breakdown of law and order, in the coming of the vandals and hordes of barbarians, that the man of sin saw his opportunity and took it. There ensued the Holy Roman Empire, controlled absolutely by Romanists. Verse 8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to naught by the manifestation of his coming;Most students of this passage are dogmatically certain that “the lawless one” of this verse is an eschatological person, an individual, answering to the Biblical definition of “antichrist”; and, while there seems to be some indication of this, this understanding for it requires understanding the following clauses to contain a double prophecy. The man of sin will be eroded and worn out; the final “lawless one” shall be vanquished instantly in the final Advent. Slay with the breath of his mouth … “Here is an expression found nowhere else in the New Testament."[6]The reference would appear to be to the word of the Lord. When the New Testament was stripped out of the dead languages in which it had been concealed, in the times of Wycliffe, Tyndale, Luther, and others, there was a sense in which the man of sin received a mortal wound. There is also a possible rendition of “slay” as “consume,” as in Adam Clarke’s quotation, below, indicating that the power and glory of the man of sin will not perish instantly, but gradually, being continually eroded, wasted away, and “consumed” by the breath of the Lord’s mouth, by his word. Clarke said: “Whom the Lord shall consume …” He shall blast him so that he shall wither and die away; and this shall be done by the spirit of his mouth, - the words of eternal life, the true doctrine of the gospel of Jesus; this shall be the instrument used to destroy this man of sin: therefore it is evident that his death will not be a sudden one, but a gradual one; because it is by the preaching of the truth that he is to be exposed, overthrown, and finally destroyed.[7]Bring to naught by the manifestation of his coming … It seems to this expositor that these clauses are parallel; but if the emphasis, as so many insist, is upon the Second Advent, then the fate of antichrist is foretold in it, that same antichrist whom we have identified as the final, terminal and ultimate “man of sin,” being an individual who shall be destroyed at the Second Coming of Christ. [6] Leon Morris, op. cit., p. 131. [7] Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Holy Bible, Vol. VI (London: Carlton and Porter, 1829), p. op. cit., p. 567. Verse 9 even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,Hubbard’s summary of the meaning here is: His coming reveals itself in all power (to work miracles) and signs (significant, meaningful miracles) and wonders (amazing their observers). In the Greek, “lying” seems to apply to all three.[8]The import of this passage is to the effect that Satan himself will lend his great power to the final man of sin, whom we have supposed to be “antichrist,” and that he will endow this totally wicked and hateful person to exercise even supernatural power in the achievement of his hellish ambitions. Surely this must be the time spoken of in Revelation, when Satan shall be loosed a little season upon the earth. Then will be the times when the “very elect, if possible” shall be deceived, the time when Satan will finally have his way with the earth and its populations - but not for long. As the final rebellion of humanity comes to its awful climax, Satan will be free to accomplish the total destruction of man, the same having been his purpose from the very beginning. But it will only be “for a little season.” The Son of man will suddenly appear the second time apart from sin, to redeem the righteous and to appoint the wicked their portion with the hypocrites. ENDNOTE: [8] David A. Hubbard, op. cit., p. 834. Verse 10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.Populations who will not accept God’s morality, but who love evil, will be quite easily deceived by Satan; God himself will even send hardening and blindness to those who have preferred evil, in order to hasten their destruction. The judicial hardening that God inflicts upon those who love wickedness is an extensive New Testament subject. For further discussion of it, see in my Commentary on Romans, pp. 45-51,392-395. Verse 11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.Here again is in view the principle of God’s hardening those who love wickedness. See under preceding verse. People who have pleasure in doing wrong will be blinded and hardened. Thoroughly deceived, they shall then have no difficulty in believing a lie, not the truth. “Satan’s lie consists in getting men to believe him instead of God."[9]The way of salvation is clear enough in this verse and the preceding 2 Thessalonians 2:10. Those who believe the truth and obey it shall be saved; those who do not believe the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness, shall be finally and irrevocably condemned. For further discussion of the “man of sin,” see excursus at the end of this chapter. ENDNOTE: [9] Ibid., p. 835. Verse 13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:All three members of the godhead are mentioned in this great verse; and it is the answer to the terrible things Paul had just foretold. Whatever evil may engulf the world, the Thessalonians must not be troubled. They are “beloved of the Lord,” “chosen of God unto sanctification,” and the subject of the apostle’s most devout thanksgiving. Paul had just spoken of a time (at the end) when most people would reject the truth and turn aside to fables; but, as Hendriksen put it, “The true believer must never be afraid of belonging to the minority. It is the remnant that shall be saved. All others shall be condemned."[10]God chose you from the beginning … God chose all men to be saved, in the sense that every man ever born on earth was destined to be a child of God; but the freedom of the human will nullifies that eternal decree in many. In the New Testament, as here, God’s choosing implies also the believer’s having accepted. ENDNOTE: [10] William Hendriksen, op. cit., p. 186. Verse 14 whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.As we have noted again and again, in the New Testament, God’s call, as used here, means “God’s call accepted.” It is the choice that men make which determines destiny. All men are called, but only those who hear, accept and obey are the truly “called.” Verse 15 So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye were taught, whether by word, or by epistle of ours.Traditions” here does not refer in any manner to human traditions, but to the authentic teachings of the apostles as handed down orally, before the New Testament was available. Paul’s use of yours” in this verse is not epistolary, but has reference to the apostles of Christ. Verse 16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.As so frequently in Paul’s writings, there is here an eloquent inadvertent testimonial witnessing the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Gloag noted that: These verbs (comfort your hearts and establish them) are in the singular number, but their nominative is our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, thus implying the unity between these divine Persons.[11]Note: Relying so heavily in the interpretations advocated in this chapter upon ancient and traditional opinion, the writer is aware of the sense of shock that will come to some who read this; but, as Gloag, writing in Pulpit Commentary (perhaps the best and most thorough to be published in this century), expressed it: Upon an impartial view, one cannot avoid the impression that the points of resemblance between the prophecy and Romanism are numerous, varied and striking. Our forefathers had no doubt as to the application of this prophecy, and perhaps they were nearer the truth than we in modern times who hesitate.[12]This writer is reluctant to apply Paul’s terrible warning to Romanism, but in conscience cannot do otherwise. The correspondence between the picture drawn and the historical apostate church is too clear and certain to be mistaken. AN ON “THE MAN OF SIN” In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10, Paul prophesied the great apostasy from the Christian religion and the ultimate revelation of “the man of sin” who would be destroyed by the Second Advent of Christ. However, this prophecy of a vast and extensive defection from true Christianity does not stand alone in the New Testament, wherein definite mention of it is made in the following passages: Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Therefore, by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matthew 7:15-23). I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears (Acts 20:29-31). But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3). But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men, that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer (1 Timothy 4:1-5). But know this that in the last days grievous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away. For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith (2 Timothy 3:1-8). For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth and shall turn aside unto fables. But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill thy ministry (2 Timothy 4:3-5). But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose sentence now from of old lingereth not, and their destruction slumbereth not (2 Peter 2:1-3). This is now, beloved, the second epistle that I write unto you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by putting you in remembrance; that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles: knowing this first, that in the last days mockers shall come with mockery, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for, from the day the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation. For this they willfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word of God; by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men (2 Peter 3:1-7). And he carried me away in the spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations, even the unclean things of her fornication, and having upon her forehead a name written, MYSTERY; BABYLON THE GREAT; THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus (Revelation 17:3-6). After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lightened with glow. And he cried with a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become a habitation of demons, and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird. For by the wine of the wrath of her fornication all the nations are fallen; and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth waxed rich by the power of her wantonness. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues: for her sins have reached even unto heaven and God hath remembered her iniquities (Revelation 18:1-5). For there shall arise false christs and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, the elect: behold, I have told you all things beforehand (Mark 13:22-23). It is against the above background of other New Testament teachings on this subject that Paul’s words in this passage can best be understood; and, as Dummelow said, “It will be convenient to treat this difficult passage (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10) as a whole."[13] Paul’s words are: Let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now until he be taken out of the way. And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to naught by the manifestation of his coming; even he, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Gloag classified the interpretations of this passage thus: (1) There is in reality no prediction, or prophecy, in this passage, all such things as predictive prophecy being denied by this class. (2) “The second class of interpreters are those who, recognizing a prediction, regard it as already fulfilled."[14] (3) “The third class of exponents are those who regard the prophecy as being fulfilled, or as in the course of fulfillment; that is, as already partially fulfilled, but awaiting its complete accomplishment."[15] (4) “The fourth class of interpreters consider the fulfillment as future, and that we are not to look to any past occurrences as answering all the requirements."[16] There are whole libraries of the works of many scholars affirming each of these methods of interpretation; but, rather than trouble the reader with what would appear to be an almost endless examination of such writings, we shall devote the available space to advocating what is believed to be the true understanding of the passage, as classified under (3), above. As will be noted below, the papal hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church exhibits a striking number of the qualities that are to mark the great historical apostasy of Christianity; and yet in fairness it must be admitted that no pope has ever fulfilled in its entirety Paul’s description of the man of sin; but the historical Roman church is so certainly prophesied in the New Testament literature on this subject, that it is not amiss to look precisely there for the ultimate fulfillment of the total prophecy at some time yet future. There is also, it must be admitted, a certain sense in which the entire papal succession may be understood as meeting Paul’s specifications perfectly. We pray that unbiased readers will not consider this a harsh judgment. Much of the dissent from the view that the papal hierarchy is the composite man of sin stems from the incorrect identification of the man of sin as “antichrist” (John 4:3), whose distinguishing mark of identity is his denial “that Christ is of God,” a denial that, so far as is known, never pertained to any pope. Nevertheless, that man of sin who at last will be manifested as antichrist, although not having appeared upon the historical scene as yet, may yet do so in the future. The basic understanding of Paul’s warning in this passage as a prophecy of the apostate medieval church is neither an uncharitable judgment nor an indulgence in fantasy. The preface to the King James Bible has this: “Your Majesty … which has given such a blow unto that Man of Sin as will not be healed,” meaning the Pope. Alexander Campbell met Roman Catholic Bishop John B. Purcell in debate in the Sycamore Street Meeting House, Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 13-21,1837, Campbell affirming and Purcell denying proposition 3, thus: The Roman Church is the “Babylon” of John, the “man of sin” of Paul, and the Empire of the “Youngest Horn” of Daniel’s sea monster.[18] He said: Whoever arrogates to himself the title of “universal priest” is a forerunner of antichrist. This statement is made in an epistle in which he denounced the claims of the contemporary “patriarch” of the East.[19]Martin Luther did not hesitate to identify the papacy and its entire hierarchy as “the man of sin, the antichrist, and the beast out of the sea."[20]The Westminster Confession speaks very dogmatically thus: There is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ, nor can the Pope of Rome, in any sense, be the head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin the son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the Church against Christ, and all that is called God. - Article XXV. : Thus the identification of the papacy and its religious apparatus with Paul’s words in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10 was the prevailing view for more than a thousand years, a view supported by the writings and interpretations of many of the most brilliant men who ever lived on earth; and, on that account, there is no way for this writer to accept the sneers and snickers with which this interpretation is greeted by many modern commentators, as being an effective refutation of the arguments upholding it. WHAT ARE THE ? The resemblance is striking and obvious. An apostasy is predicted, and in Romanism there is most positively a very wicked and extensive departure from the teachings of Christ. The doctrines of purgatory, transubstantiation, the sacrifice of the Mass, the withholding of the cup from the laity, along with the pretensions of infallibility, successorship to the apostles, and claims of sole custodianship of the word of God - all these and countless other characteristics have effectively separated Romanism from the gospel of the New Testament. The “man of sin” is represented as exalting himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, being singularly fulfilled in the titles which the pope has arrogated to himself, such as “Lord God the Pope,” “Lord of Lords,” and also in the claim of being the “universal priest” and the assertion of his right to dispose of the kingdoms of the earth. The man of sin is said to seat himself in the temple of God, and that he setteth himself forth as God. The principal cathedral of the historical church is the seat of the papacy; and the pope is literally seated therein, always appearing upon the papal chair supported upon the shoulders of his retainers. Nor does this imply that the Basilica of St. Peter is in any sense the “true” temple of God, being, on the other hand, that which appears to many millions as such a temple. Just as the kingship of Israel was an apostasy from the theocracy and as the temple of Solomon and Herod was an apostasy from the tabernacle; just so, the temples of the historical church are an apostasy from the church which is the only true temple God ever had. The pope shows himself as God through claiming divine attributes such as infallibility and holiness, by presuming to forgive sins. “Only God can forgive sins.” The man of sin was called by the apostle Paul “the son of perdition,” which is the word used of the false apostle (Judas), but nowhere else in the Bible. Does not the pope claim to be an apostle of Christ, indeed, the successor to the apostle Peter? But is he so? Is he not therefore a false apostle? The mystery of lawlessness was already at work in Paul’s day; and Paul specifically stated to the Ephesian elders that from among them would men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples unto themselves. The pope himself is merely an elder gone wrong. With all power and signs and lying wonders … has never been fulfilled as continually and extensively by anything on earth except the signs, wonders, and miracles of Catholicism. The wonders done by sacred images moving, speaking and bleeding, the prodigies effected by sacred relics, supernatural visitations of the Virgin, the miraculous cures at countless shrines, etc., etc. - all of these and many more fulfill the prophecy perfectly. When one goes beyond the confinements of the passage under consideration, the evidence is multiplied and compounded. For example: “Forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats.” What other religious system ever imposed anything as unscriptural and unreasonable as “fish on Friday” and “no marriages in Lent”? Having a golden cup in her hand … The greatest golden cup known throughout history is the chalice, which is not in the hands of the people but in those of the hierarchical system. Full of the unclean things of her fornication … In fornication, that which belongs to the bride is taken from her and given to another who is not the bridegroom. The cup of holy communion which belongs to the bride of Christ has been taken away from her and given to another who is not the head. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all (Daniel 11:37). What institution, or system, or authority ever rejected the “desire of women,” to the extent of making celibacy the nearly invariable rule for all who would participate in it? The obvious answer is known to all men. He shall wear out the saints of the Most High … (Daniel 7:25). Roman Catholicism has been the most vigorous persecutor of Christians since the days of the pagan empire. As Durant put it, “The Inquisition almost fatally disgraced the church."[21] The so-called “Holy Crusades,” the religious wars, intrigues and subversions by which the man of sin built and maintained his empire have splashed with blood the pages of the last thousand years of history. There are no less than two religious wars in progress at the moment this is written. TO THE 1. It is affirmed that “the man of sin” is an individual, not a succession of individuals or any such thing as a system. Many respected commentators stress this; but, in the book of Daniel, a single figure of “the kingdom of iron” was made to represent all the kings of the Roman Empire, during which time the “everlasting kingdom” would be established. No less an authority than Lightfoot stated that “In all figurative passages it is arbitrary to assume that a person is meant when we find a personification."[22] He went on to declare that “The man of sin here need not be an individual man; it may be a body of men, or a power, or a spiritual influence."[23] Alexander Campbell took the same position with regard to this, and there can certainly be no intellectual objections to this view of it. 2. It is declared that, in spite of many resemblances, the idea of the papacy does not and never did fulfill the prophecy in 2 Thessalonians 2:4. Bishop Purcell, in the debate with Campbell, made this his principal reply, refuting the notion that the pope is antichrist. Alford, for example, viewed the behavior of the popes as a “most abject adoration and submission to God."[24] As regards the profession of popes, this is true; but have their lives honored such professions? Gloag, on the other hand, pointed out the conviction that “The arrogance of the pope, his assertion that he is the vicar of Christ, and his claim of infallibility are a distinct fulfillment of this prediction."[25] Furthermore, the difficulty of meeting this objection is completely solved when the “antichrist” of John is understood as the final and terminal embodiment of the “man of sin.” This was the way Campbell understood it; and Bishop Purcell’s argument begged the question by not taking this into account. Campbell did not affirm that popery was “the antichrist,” but that it was the man of sin and Babylon. Viewing “the man of sin” as an institution and system and the “antichrist” as its final fruition clears the matter up completely. 3. But it is precisely here that many interpreters have gone astray. Supposing that 2 Thessalonians 2:8 prophesies the summary and final end of the man of sin as soon as he appears, the commentators declare that, as the papacy has flourished for centuries and has not yet been destroyed, no reference to the papacy is included in the prophesy. However, the Scriptures do not assert that the Second Advent of Christ will follow immediately upon the arrival of the man of sin. The conditions that led to the development of the man of sin were already working in Paul’s day. The interval between the arrival of the man of sin and the Second Advent is nowhere mentioned in the New Testament. Gloag’s comment on this is: It may be that there is a development of the Antichrist, and that his final destruction by the coming of the Lord will not occur until his full development. The spiritual power of the papacy may be unfolding itself; the mystery of lawlessness may still be working, as was lately seen in the introduction of the two new dogmas into the Romish Church, these being the immaculate conception of the Virgin, and the personal infallibility of the popes (both of which doctrines have been introduced during the current century).[26]From all of the above considerations, this writer refuses to be ashamed of the historical interpretation of Paul’s “man of sin” as a warning against the papacy and the errors that may yet be unfolded from it. This opinion is certainly not in keeping with the liberal spirit of the current age, during which it has become popular to denounce interpretations advocated by the wisest minds of a thousand years; but when we reflect upon the abominable persecutions of the Inquisition and remember that the principal architect of that diabolical apparatus is still revered as a saint in the Roman church, and when the monstrous wickedness of the popes and priests prior to the Reformation is considered; and when are recalled the atrocities committed in the name of religion, the general corruption of the whole system; and when it is taken into account that only the restraining influences of Protestantism prevent a repetition of such things, we may suddenly see that there is every reason to suspect that the ancient interpretations were founded upon the truth and are therefore neither unjust nor uncharitable. THE OF THE The view here is that antichrist in his fullness has not yet appeared; although, as the apostle John said, “there are many antichrists.” If, as so many believe, there is to be a final and terminal antichrist who will be destroyed by the Second Advent of Christ, it is obvious that he has not yet appeared upon the earth. Such men as Stalin, Hitler, Mohammed, Napoleon and many others who have been thought to be the objects of this prophecy, none of them were ever in “the temple of God,” in the sense of being enthroned in it. The one certainty regarding the antichrist is that he shall appear as the head, the usurper and the unscrupulous dictator over the apostate church itself. What will antichrist be like? The usual opinions are that he shall be an individual of gigantic mental power, unbelievable audacity and the most extreme wickedness. During the apostasy of Israel, Antiochus Epiphanes was such a person; later, after the final rejection of Christ by the hierarchy of Israel, the total profanation of the Jewish temple by a band of ruthless brigands led to the final overthrow of Judaism. It may well be that in both those events one may behold typical foreshadowings of the final corruption and rebellion of historical Christianity, events which this writer believes to be future. The bold and devilish deeds of some of the lesser “antichrists” who have appeared in our own times are precursors of what may come later on a vaster scale than ever. This excursus will be closed by the following quotation from Gloag: The revolt against all rule and authority, the spread of Nihilism, the increase of infidelity and agnosticism, the unblushing proclamation of atheism and the support given to it in the scientific and political world, the deification of materialism, are all the precursors of Antichrist. It may only require a dissolution of order and a corruption of morals greater and more universal than that which occurred in the French Revolution, to usher in the coming of the (final) Man of Sin, who, amid the confusion, will seize the scepter of dominion. We may figure him as an individual, a man of more commanding abilities and far greater wickedness than the first Napoleon; one who will subdue the world, and in the height of his impiety and ambition proclaim his atheism, and that man himself is God![27][11] P. J. Gloag, The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 21,2Thessalonians (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1950), p. 59. [12] Ibid. [13] J. R. Dummelow, Commentary on the Holy Bible (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1937), p. 989. [14] P. J. Gloag, Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 21,2Thessalonians (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1950), p. 56. [15] Ibid., p. 57. [16] Ibid., p. 60. [18] William Hendriksen, A New Testament Commentary, 1,2Thessalonians (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1955), p. 173. [19] Ibid., p. 174. [20] Ibid. [21] Will and Ariel Durant, Lessons from History (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1968), p. 45. [22] P. J. Gloag, op. cit., p. 59. [23] Ibid. [24] Ibid. [25] Ibid. [26] Ibid. [27] Ibid. “THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE "

Chapter Two

IN THIS CHAPTER

1. To examine what is revealed about the “man of sin” whom the Lord will destroy at His coming

2. To consider how those who do not have a love for the truth are setting themselves up to be deceived by the man of sin

3. To discern why God will send a strong delusion to some that they will believe a lie

SUMMARY Evidently Paul received word that some of the Thessalonians had the impression that the day of Christ had come, that is, it was near at hand. To reassure them such was not the case, he reminds them of those things he had told them while he was still with them. That is, Christ will not come until the falling away occurs, and the man of sin is revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3). Paul then describes this man of sin and explains that he is currently hindered from being revealed. When that which restrains him is removed, the man of sin will become apparent, whom the Lord will destroy with His coming (2 Thessalonians 2:4-8). The coming of the lawless one is further described, whose coming will be according to the working with Satan. With all power, signs, and lying wonders, he will deceive those who do not have a love for the truth. Indeed, God will also send a strong delusion to those who do not love the truth, that they might believe the lie and be condemned for taking pleasure in unrighteousness instead of believing the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

As for the Thessalonians themselves, Paul is ever thankful that God has chosen them for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, having called them by the gospel to obtain the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). He therefore exhorts them to stand fast and hold to the traditions taught by word or epistle, and prays that Jesus and God the Father will comfort their hearts and establish them in every good word and work (2 Thessalonians 2:15-17).

OUTLINE

I. ABOUT THE COMING OF THE LORD (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)

A. DO NOT BE (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2)1. Concerning the coming of the Lord, and our gathering to Him (2 Thessalonians 2:1) 2. By false reports, as though the day of Christ has come (2 Thessalonians 2:2)

B. THE MUST COME FIRST (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12)1. The Day of Christ will not come until… a. A falling away comes first (2 Thessalonians 2:3 a) b. The man of sin (lawlessness) is revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)

1. The son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3 c)
2. Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God and that is worshipped (2 Thessalonians 2:4 a)
3. He sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:4 b) – As Paul told them while he was with them (2 Thessalonians 2:5)

2. The man of sin is being restrained (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7) a. They knew what it was that was restraining him (6a) b. He will be revealed in his own time (2 Thessalonians 2:6 b) c. The mystery of lawlessness is already at work (2 Thessalonians 2:7 a) d. But the one who restrains will do so until taken out of the way (2 Thessalonians 2:7 b)
3. When the lawless one is revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12) a. The Lord will…

1. Consume him with the breath of His mouth (2 Thessalonians 2:8 a)
2. Destroy him with the brightness of His coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8 b) b. The coming of the lawless one…
3. Will be according to the working of Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:9 a).
4. With all unrighteous deception among those who perish (2 Thessalonians 2:10 a) a) Because they did not receive the love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10 b) b) That they might be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:10 c) c. For this reason…
5. God will send them a strong delusion (2 Thessalonians 2:11 a) a) That they should believe the lie (2 Thessalonians 2:11 b) b) That they may be condemned (2 Thessalonians 2:12 a)
6. Because they did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:12 b)

II. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17)

A. AND A CALL TO (2 Thessalonians 2:13-15)1. Bound always to give thanks to God (2 Thessalonians 2:13 a) a. Who from the beginning chose them for salvation (2 Thessalonians 2:13 b)

1. Through sanctification by the Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13 c)
2. And belief in the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13 d) b. To which He called them (2 Thessalonians 2:14 a)
3. By the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14 b)
4. For the obtaining of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:14 c)

2. Stand fast and hold the traditions which they were taught (2 Thessalonians 2:15 a) a. Whether by word (2 Thessalonians 2:15 b) b. Or by his epistle (2 Thessalonians 2:15 c)

B. PAUL’S PRAYER FOR THE (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)1. May the Lord Jesus Himself, and our God and Father (2 Thessalonians 2:16 a) a. Who loved us (2 Thessalonians 2:16 b) b. Who has given us… (2 Thessalonians 2:16 c)

1. Everlasting consolation
2. Good hope by grace

2. Comfort your hearts (2 Thessalonians 2:17 a)
3. Establish you in every good word and work (2 Thessalonians 2:17 b)

REVIEW FOR THE CHAPTER

1. What are the main points of this chapter?

• Enlightenment about the coming of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)
• Steadfastness encouraged (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17)

2. What two related things does Paul now address them? (2 Thessalonians 2:1)

• The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
• Our gathering together to Him

3. About what did he not want them to be troubled? (2 Thessalonians 2:2)

• As though the day of Christ had come

4. What two things must happen before that Day comes? (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

• The falling away
• The man of sin is revealed

5. List the various descriptions of the “man of sin” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)

• The son of perdition
• Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped
• He sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God

6. Had Paul told the Thessalonians of these things before? (2 Thessalonians 2:5)

• Yes

7. Did they know what was restraining the “man of sin” from being revealed? (2 Thessalonians 2:6)

• Yes

8. What was already at work at the time Paul wrote the Thessalonians? (2 Thessalonians 2:7)

• The mystery of lawlessness

9. How long would the one who restrains do so? (2 Thessalonians 2:7)

• Until he is taken out of the way

10. What will the Lord do to the lawless one? (2 Thessalonians 2:8)

• He will consume him with the breath of His mouth
• He will destroy him with the brightness of His coming

11. According to what will the coming of the lawless one be? What will accompany his coming? (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)

• According to the working of Satan
• All power, signs and lying wonders; with unrighteous deception

12. Who will be deceived by this lawless one? Why? (2 Thessalonians 2:10)

• Those who perish
• Because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved

13. What will God therefore send? (2 Thessalonians 2:11)

• A strong delusion

14. What two purposes does Paul give for God doing this? (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

• That they should believe the lie
• That they may be condemned

15. Who is it that will suffer such things? (2 Thessalonians 2:12)

• Those who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness

16. How did God choose to save the Thessalonians? (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

• Through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth

17. How did God call them? For what purpose? (2 Thessalonians 2:14)

• He called them by the gospel
• For the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ

18. What two exhortations does Paul give them? (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

• Stand fast
• Hold to the traditions which they were taught, whether by word or epistle

19. What two things does Paul mention that God and Jesus has given to us? (2 Thessalonians 2:16)

• Everlasting consolation
• Good hope

20. For what does Paul pray that Jesus and God will do for the Thessalonians? (2 Thessalonians 2:17)

• Comfort their hearts
• Establish them in every good word and work

Questions by E.M. Zerr On 2nd Thessalonians 21. What subject is introduced in first verse? 2. State what gathering is meant. 3. Cite some previous teaching on this point. 4. What would Paul dispel from their minds? 5. Does this question the fact of Christ’ s coming? 6. Explain the 3 means of communication verse 2. 7. What indicates they had heard deceptive men ? 8. Define words “ at hand” as used here. 9. Explain it in light of Phil. 4: 5, last part. 10. Before Christ comes what else must come? 11. What man will be revealed? 12. He is the son of what ? 13. How high will he exalt himself? 14. Where will he claim to sit? 15. What title will he claim? 16. Tell what character in history fulfills this. 17. Had they heard this information before ? 18. Simplify the word withholdeth. 19. Will the holding cease ? 20. When was the mystery to begin to work ? 21. Explain “ let” verse 7 with some word in verse 6. 22. How long will this power continue to “ let” ? 23. Can you designate this hindering power? 24. When taken away then who will show up ? 25. Compare this person with one in question 16. 26. Who will destroy this line of characters? 27. When will he accomplish this? 28. After whose working is this evil character ? 29. What kind of wonders does he perform? 30. With what manner of deceivableness ? 31. In what class does this make headway? 32. What love would they not receive ? 33. Tell what this love is necessary unto. 34. What cause is “ this” cause verse 11? 35. State what God shall send upon such class. 36. This will induce them to believe what ? 37. State result of such belief. 38. In what had these taken pleasure ? 39. Does this teach predestination to perdition? 40. Do all people have privilege of believing truth ? 41. If they do not believe who is to blame ? 42. Has above apostasy taken place? 43. What does Paul feel bound to do ? 44. To what had these brethren been chosen ? 45. Through what means was it done ? 46. Are these means available to any others ? 47. By what were they called? 48. What should they hold fast ? 49. State the two forms of inspired tradition. 50. In what would he have them stablished?

2 Thessalonians 2:1

General remarks. The background cf most of this chapter is historical, involving the original government of the church as it was established by Christ and the apostles. The ruling men were called by three different names as rendered in the King James Version; they are elders (Acts 20:17), overseers (Acts 20:28), and bishops (1 Timothy 3:1). There is some difference in the meaning of the words, because the duties of the men are so various that one word will not cover them. However, no distinction is made between their authority because of these names; each of them wore all the names. This is proved by the two verses in Acts 20 referred to above, where the same men are called elders and overseers.

Incidentally I will add that bishop and overseer come from the same Greek word which is , and elder comes from . The qualifications and work of these men will be explained when we come to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. For the present their authority and function as governors or rulers is what is to be considered. There was a plurality of elders in each congregation (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5), and their authority did not extend beyond their own congregation. As proof of this it is well to consider the case recorded in Acts 15. When the dispute arose in Antioch over circumcision because of the teaching of some from Judea, a group of them went to Jerusalem to consult the church.

While the decision arrived at was sent to the brethren at Antioch, it was concerning the agitation among them caused by these who came from Jerusalem. Besides, this matter was enforced by the apostles, and they had authority everywhere.

The time came when some of the elders became thirsty for more power than the others had, and they worked it around so as to dominate them in the affairs of the congregation. This was one thing that Paul had in mind in Acts 20:30, where he says “of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” This ambition for power continued until in most of the congregations, one elder became virtually the head over the others, assuming the exclusive right to the title “bishop” and leaving the simple role of “elder” to the others. But human nature is such that when a man becomes desirous of more authority than he is supposed to have, he will not stop until he tries to obtain the rule outside his allotted realm. Hence these dominating bishops reached out and gained control over other churches in their general area. Such a movement as I have just described was going on in many parts of the world, until the government fell into the hands of the bishops in such centers as Antioch, Corinth, Ephesus, Jerusalem, Rome, and others. The next struggle was among the bishops, to obtain superiority over all the other bishops, with a hungry mind upon a possible attainment of universal rule of one bishop over the brotherhood.

But this concentration of power among the bishops was held back by another mighty force, which I will now describe as briefly as I can. The Roman Empire was the secular government in power, which was the fourth one of the “world powers” predicted in Daniel 2:31-45.

These world powers made their religion a state affair, so that whatever the state religion was, it was regarded as a mark of disloyalty to the government to oppose that religion. The religion of the Roman Empire was the pagan or idolatrous system, and its presence presented an obstacle to the growing ambition of these bishops in the church, for if they went too far in their activities, they were apt to run into trouble with the government. But a change took place in the Empire which turned out to the advantage of the bishops. Constantine became emperor and was pursuing a military course in behalf of his government. On his way to what proved to be one of the “decisive battles of the world,” he claimed to see a cross in the sky, with an inscription that said, “by this sign conquer.” He won that battle which he professed to believe was caused by the influence of the cross, the emblem of Christianity. On the basis of that victory and its causes, Constantine (as emperor) announced his support of Christianity with the weight of the empire in support of his decision.

After that the Roman Empire presented no obstacle to the enlargement of the power of the bishops, since their religious professions were the same. That circumstance virtually united church and state, bringing on the apostasy and the Dark Ages, called by Paul the “falling away.” With the foregoing paragraphs to consult frequently, the reader is now asked to consider the several verses in order.

2 Thessalonians 2:1. By is from RUPEE, which Thayer defines at this place, “concerning, of, as respects, with regard to.” It is the word for “concerning” in Romans 9:27. Paul beseeches the brethren concerning some very important events to occur in the future. One is the coming of Christ, and the other is our gathering together unto him. These events are prophesied in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

2 Thessalonians 2:2

2 Thessalonians 2:2. There seemed to be a state of unrest among the disciples over the coming of Christ, thinking that it was “just around the corner,” to use a familiar figure of speech. This doubtless was suggested by Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, “we which are alive and remain.” It might seem to teach that Paul and some others would be living when Jesus comes, and hence that the event was due and might occur at any hour. As a result of such a notion, business and religious activities were at a standstill. Why should anything be done when the end was just at hand? To correct that error, the apostle takes occasion to make the famous predictions of this chapter, to tell them that all of this revolution will take place before the Lord comes.

Soon shaken in mind refers to the unsettled condition which I have just described. To add to this disturbance, certain false teachers made claims of having “first hand” information on the subject, just as Jesus said some would do at the time preceding the destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 24:5 Matthew 24:24). Paul mentions three sources of false information that might deceive the disciples, and he wants them to know that any theories claiming to come from such sources, that predicted the immediate approach of Christ, were false and not according to truth. Those three so-called sources were spirit, word, and letter. The first refers to those who claimed to have a gift of the Spirit. The second claims that they had received word from the apostles on the subject, and the third refers to some letters that had been forged as coming from the apostles.

At hand is from , which Thayer defines, “to stand in sight, stand near, to be upon, impend, threaten.” This is commented upon at the beginning of this paragraph.

2 Thessalonians 2:3

2 Thessalonians 2:3. All who accepted this disquieting teaching were being deceived, and Paul bids them not to be deceived by any means. The words in italics denote that any information, from whatever source, that claims to teach this disquieting theory, is false. The second coming of Christ will not occur until after the falling away. Those words are from the Greek word , which Thayer defines, “a falling away, defection, apostasy,” which is a name for the formation of centralized rule in the church, described in “general remarks” at the beginning of this chapter. Man of sin would be a term of general application, were it not for the description that follows through several verses.

It shows it means the bishop who finally got to the head of the church as it came to be, and he was finally known as the Pope of Rome. He is called the son of perdition, because the first word means “one who is worthy of a thing” (Thayer).

2 Thessalonians 2:4

2 Thessalonians 2:4. Opposeth and exalteth himself above is the same as saying, “he exalts himself in opposition to all” of what is to be named next. That is called God. Any person or thing that might be related to God or be claimed to be so related, would come under this phrase. Or that is worshipped. This is an extension of the thought expressed in the preceding phrase in italics.

The thought is that this man of sin (the pope) will not, recognize any being or object of worship as his equal, regardless of whether it pertains to the One in heaven or the many earthly rulers who receive homage from men. Sitteth in the temple means in the church, for it is said to be the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 6:16). It is true that. the institution called the church in history at this period of development, was so corrupt that we could not acknowledge it to be the true church. But the pope and the system of centralized power over which he was head, was professed to be the church, and Paul is speaking of the subject historically, and from the standpoint of the pretensions of the Romish institution. At this point it will be well to state that all through these centuries that the apostasy was forming, there were some exceptions where congregations would not join in the departure, so that during the entire time of the Dark Ages there were faithful congregations here and there, which kept the pure church in existence, although as a woman persecuted for righteosness’ sake, she had to flee to the wilderness of comparative hiding or obscurity, caused by the apostasy, to preserve her existence. (See Revelation 12:1-3 and verse 14 of that chapter.) Showing himself that he is God. No man can actually show or display proof that he is God, but he can claim such a high rank, and display himself under such a guise, hence the pope is presented to his people as “Lord God, the Pope.”

2 Thessalonians 2:5

2 Thessalonians 2:5. I told you these things. Since signs of the apostasy, namely, desire for power were being manifested in those early years of the church (3 John 1:9), it was natural that Paul would warn his brethren about it when laboring in their midst. He also instructed Timothy to remind the brethren where he preached, of this very defection that was to come into the world. In 1 Timothy 4:1-3 is such a prediction, and verse 6 directly advises the evangelist to do this service of remembrance for the brethren.

2 Thessalonians 2:6

2 Thessalonians 2:6. Withholdeth (likewise letteth in next verse) is from KATECHO, which Thayer defines, “to restrain, hinder, “and he comments on it as follows: “That which hinders, namely, Antichrist [the pope], from making his appearance; the power of the Roman empire is meant.” I urge the reader to consult “general remarks” again, to learn why the Roman emperor was a hindrance to the coming of the pope into universal power over the church. In verse 5 Paul refers to previous information which he had given to the Thessalonians, to the effect that certain men were already showing signs of wanting this great power, and who finally would come out in the open and strive for it. The brethren might wonder why such a development did not then come to the fore, and he is explaining that this Roman power (which then professed the heathen religion), was withholding or hindering such a movement. Revealed in his time means when the time came that the religion of Rome would not be any hindrance, then would be the time for the pope to be revealed or come out in the open.

2 Thessalonians 2:7

2 Thessalonians 2:7. This verse virtually has the same thoughts that have been already explained, but in different words that give additional points. Mystery of iniquity means the concentration of power described in “general remarks.” Doth already ‘work. The thirst for power was already manifesting itself in those days (3 John 1:9). He who now letteth (hin-dereth) will let. He (the Roman heathen religion) will continue to be a hindrance to the growing movement in the church for universal power. Until he be taken out of the way. This means until the pagan or heathen religion of the Roman Empire is replaced by the professed Christian religion that was claimed by the ambitious bishops. Again, let the reader consult “general remarks” at the beginning of comments on this chapter.

2 Thessalonians 2:8

2 Thessalonians 2:8. Then means when the pagan religion is replaced by the profession of the Christian, which finally resulted in the union of church and state. That wicked be revealed refers to the bishop who was to succeed over all the others in obtaining supremacy at the head of the church, and who later took the title of Pope of Rome. He was revealed or came out in the open after the hindrance of the pagan or idolatrous religion had been removed. Consume and destroy mean virtually the same if either of them is used alone. When both are used in one sentence, the former means a gradual using-up of something, and the latter denotes the final result of that consuming, namely, the complete canceling out of the thing spoken of.

Spirit of his mouth is a figurative term for the truth spoken by the Lord through the apostles and others who were proclaimers of the inspired word. Brightness of his coming is the same as saying “the appearance of his presence.” This does not mean that Christ was to appear in person, but would be present in the world or represented by the teach ers of divine truth, which was finally to counteract the power of the pope, by breaking up the union of church and state. This great event was accomplished by the Reformation, when the Bible (the spirit of his mouth) was given to the people in their own languages.

2 Thessalonians 2:9

2 Thessalonians 2:9. Even him whose coming. When the predicted man of sin does come, it will be like the coming and working of Satan. He is compared to Satan in that his power will consist of signs and lying wonders. The first italicized word is used in both a good and a bad sense in the New Testament, and it means an omen of something to come, or a supposed proof of something already in existence. It is used in a bad sense in this verse, since the signs are coupled with lying wonders. That refers to the deceptive means the pope and his associates will use, whereby the unsuspecting subjects of the Romish institution will easily be deceived.

2 Thessalonians 2:10

2 Thessalonians 2:10. Deceivableness and unright-eousness. All kinds of unrighteousness are to be condemned; but some kinds are naked and open so that everyone can understand them. However, the kind that this man of sin will use is such that his followers will be misled into doing it, with the notion that they are doing the right thing. In them that perish. The pope will not be able to deceive every individual on whom he tries his trickery.

He will succeed only on those who are not honestly disposed to eternal life, and they are the ones who are destined finally to perish. The explanation for such an attitude is in the fact that they do not have enough love of the truth to obey it and be saved. In other words, since they do not love the truth, they will be “easy marks” for the agents of the pope, and consequently they will not be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12. And for this cause. Because of the conditions just described, these people who are devoted to the pope and his system, will receive some deserved punishmnet. Strong delusion. This phrase is rendered “a working of error” by the Englishman’s Greek New Testament. A correct and short term would be “active errors.” The word that is a poor translation for it is from EIS, and that word has the idea of “unto” or “to the end that” or “with the result that.” It is a statement of what results from the thing spoken of, and not intended as a term to show any motive on the part of God.

Also, God sends things in other ways than by direct force; sometimes it is done merely by suffering a thing to happen. In Romans 11:8 it is stated that “God hath given them the spirit of slumber,” yet we know it only means that He had given them over to their own determination to be blind to the truth. So in our passage it is preceded by the statement “they received not the love of the truth.” For that reason God determined to “let them have their own determined way,” and in so doing He sent them these errors that were so active that it resulted in their believing the lies of the leaders of the pope’s system; this agrees also with verse 12. It does not say that they all would be damned because God had arbitrarily decreed it so, but it was because they “believed not the truth, and had pleasure in unrighteousness.” That is the principle upon which God has always dealt with mankind. The Bible in no place teaches that God ever forces a man to sin, then punishes him for the wrong-doing. Neither does He compel man against his will to do right, but has always offered him proper inducements for righteous conduct, then left it to his own responsibility to decide what he will do about it.

2 Thessalonians 2:13

2 Thessalonians 2:13. With the preceding verse, Paul concludes his great prophecy of the apostasy and formation of the church of Rome. He now comes to matters more directly pertaining to the Thessalonians. He is thankful for their standing with God, which was brought about by their acceptance of the truth. This is far different from the characters described in the foregoing verses, who were condemned because they did not accept the truth. From the beginning is both general and specific.

It was always God’s plan to choose any who would accept the truth. The Thessalonians did so at the first opportunity, or from the beginning of the preaching of the Gospel among them. On the Lord’s side of the plan, they were chosen through sanctification, which means a setting apart for a holy purpose, and it was by the Spirit because the truth that sanctified them (John 17:17) was given by the Spirit. But this alone would not have caused them to be chosen; it required also the belief of the truth on their part,

2 Thessalonians 2:14

2 Thessalonians 2:14. Called you by our gospel. God does not call people into His service from the world, for the sake of their personal salvation, by any direct contact with them. In every case of conversion recorded in the New Testament, there was a third person or other means used for the purpose. The people of Samaria heard the word through Philip (Acts 8:5-6). The eunuch heard the Gospel from the mouth of Philip (Acts 8:35-38).

Saul was instructed to go where he could be told what to do (Acts 9:6). Cornelius was to be told “words” whereby he could he saved (Acts 11:14). The Philippian jailer became a saved man by hearing the word of the Lord (Acts 16:30-33). All this is in keeping with 1 Corinthians 1:21, which says it is by the foolishness of preaching (called foolishness by the critics) to save them that believe. Hence our verse says the Thessalonians were called by the Gospel. Paul calls it our gospel in the sense that it was the Gospel which he preached.

The word is not used with the meaning of possession, but to show relationship. When a man speaks of “my country,” he does not mean he owns it, but that he is related to it and not to some other. The result of having been called by the Gospel was that the Thessalonians might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Stated in other words, the italicized phrase means that the salvation coming from Christ is the most glorious or praiseworthy thing a man can obtain.

2 Thessalonians 2:15

2 Thessalonians 2:15. Stand fast denotes that they were to remain firm in their belief of this Gospel, and not be deceived by the tricky teachers of the Romish system. Traditions is from , which Thayer defines, “a giving over, giving up; i.e. the act of giving up, the surrender. A giving over which is done by word of mouth or in writing.” The word is used in both a good and a bad sense in the New Testament. Any doctrine or rule of conduct becomes a tradition when it has once been given over from one person to another. Whether it is good or bad, and whether it is of any authority or not, depends upon the person or persons handing over the doctrine. Hence the traditions Paul is recommending to the Thessalonians are of authority since they come from him, either “by word of mouth” (oral preaching), or by his epistle.

2 Thessalonians 2:16

2 Thessalonians 2:16. God and Christ are again named in a manner that proves they are two separate individuals, although they are a unit in spirit and purpose. The title of God denotes his supreme deity as head over all creation, while that of Father pertains to his spiritual relationship to all who will become members of the spiritual family through obedience. Lord is a title that means ruler, and the Son has been given the rule over the church (Matthew 28:18). Jesus means saviour and is given to him because he is the Saviour of the world (Matthew 1:21). The title Christ belongs to him because he was anointed (figuratively crowned) to be over the. kingdom (Acts 10:38).

Everlasting consolation is thus named because the consolation that comes from God and Christ is not temporary. Good hope simply means that the things for which Christians can hope are good in the highest sense. Through grace denotes that the entire benefit is a gift from on High, and not a return for labor, since that cannot earn or merit eternal life.

2 Thessalonians 2:17

2 Thessalonians 2:17. The preceding verse gives a general statement of the provisions or spiritual benefits possible for man, and this verse expresses Paul’s wish for all such good things to come upon the Thessalonian brethren. One result of such comfort would be to stab lish (make firm) them in every good word and work; no other kind of works will be blessed of God.