View 2nd Thessalonians 1 in the note window.
3: It is highly observable, that the apostle wraps up
his praise of men in praise to God; giving him the glory.
Your faith groweth - Probably he had heard from them since his
sending the former letter. Aboundeth - Like water that overflows
its banks, and yet increaseth still.
4: Which ye endure - "That ye may be accounted worthy of
the kingdom."
5: A manifest token - This is treated of in the sixth (2Th 1:6-12) and following verses.
6: It is a righteous thing with God - (However men may
judge) to transfer the pressure from you to them. And it is
remarkable that about this time, at the passover, the Jews
raising a tumult, a great number (some say thirty thousand) of
them were slain. St. Paul seems to allude to this beginning
of sorrows, (1Th 2:16), which did not end but with their
destruction.
8: Taking vengeance - Does God barely permit this, or (as
"the Lord" once "rained brimstone and fire from the Lord out
of heaven," (Ge 19:24)) does a fiery stream go forth from
him for ever? Who know not God - (The root of all wickedness and
misery) who remain in heathen ignorance. And who obey not - This
refers chiefly to the Jews, who had heard the gospel.
9: From the glory of his power - Tremble, ye stout - hearted.
Everlasting destruction - As there can be no end of their sins,
(the same enmity against God continuing,) so neither of their
punishment; sin and its punishment running parallel throughout
eternity itself. They must of necessity, therefore, be cut off
from all good, and all possibility of it. From the presence
of the Lord - Wherein chiefly consists the salvation of the
righteous. What unspeakable punishment is implied even in
falling short of this, supposing that nothing more were implied
in his taking vengeance!
10: To be glorified in his saints - For the wonderful
glory of Christ shall shine in them.
11: All the good pleasure of his goodness - Which is no
less than perfect holiness.
12: That the name - The love and power of our Lord may
be glorified - Gloriously displayed in you.
