Westminster Annotations, 2 Thessalonians 2
ANNOTATIONS THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAVL THE Apostle to the THESSALONIANS.
CHAP. I.
Vers. 1. IN God our Father] As God is in his Church by his speciall grace, so the Church also is in God by his power supporting it, as the Apostle speaketh, Act. 17. 28. In whom we live. Or the meaning is, which by faith relyeth on God our Father; or which is gathered by God our Father, foreign being often taken for foreign.
V. 3. We are bound, &c.] See 1 Thess. 1. 2, 3.
your faith groweth exceedingly] There is no surer argument of the sinceretie of our faith and charitie, then the growth of both, and our proficiencie in Christianitie: we may not stand at a stay but go on forward in our holy race. In particular, our faith groweth and is increased either in regard of the object, when we apprehend more profound mysteries of faith then before; or in regard of the subject when we are more confirmed in those mysteries we apprehended before, and give a more full assent thereunto without any staggering or doubting. Our charitie encreaseth either intensively, by a greater fervour of our affection to God and our brethren; or extensively, by doing good to more, and more and more abounding in works of mercy.
V. 4. faith in all your persecutions] Your confidence in God, that he will enagle you to bear them, and graciously reward you who suffer for his Names sake.
V. 5. a manifest token] He openeth here the fountain of all true comfort, to wit, that in afflictions which we suffer of the wicked for righteousnesse sake, we may behold as it were in a glasse, the testimonie of that Judgement to come, and the issue thereof, which will be most acceptable and desireable unto us, but most dreadfull to Gods enemies.
counted worthy] He saith not, that we may be worthy, for the sufferings of this present time are not worthy the glory which shall be revealed, Rom. 8. 18. but we shall be by God in his great mercy accounted worthy, and that for Christs sake, in whose quarrell we suffer. Digni dignatione Dei, non dignitate nostra.
for which ye also suffer] This he saith, not that the faithfull conceive that they merited this kingdome by their sufferings, but because they knew that they should never attain it, unlesse they patiently submitted to Gods good pleasure, and willingly endured all sorts of persecution for the testimonie of a good conscience. For we must through many tribulations enter into the Kingdome of God, Act. 14. 22.
V. 6. righteous thing with God] It is most agreeable to justice, that wicked persecutors should not go unpunished, but receive according to their works; and it is just also that they who have unjustly suffered of the wicked in this world, should be righted in another world, and greatly rewarded by God; partly because they suffer for his cause, partly because he hath promised them such a reward, Matth. 5. 10. 12.
tribulation] Gr. affliction.
trouble] Gr. afflict.
V. 7. troubled] Gr. afflicted.
when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from] Gr. in the revelation of the Lord Jesus from. See 1 Thess. 4. 16.
his mighty angels] Gr. the angels of his power.
V. 8. taking] Or, yeelding.
know not God] Which know not God in Christ: for there is no knowledge of God unto salvation without the Gospel of Christ. Most fearfull therefore is the case of all Infidels, who are utterly ignorant of, or wilfully reject the Gospel; as also of all such Christians in name, who have received the knowledge of the Gospel, but yeeld not obedience thereunto: for though they deny not Christ in their words, yet they deny him in their works, Tit. 1. 16.
V. 9. everlasting destruction] Not onelyonly the fire of hell is everlasting, as the Origenists themselves confessed, being convinced by the expresse words of our Saviour, Matth. 25. 41. but the damned shall be everlastingly tormented in it, Jude 7. Revel. 14. 10.
from the presence of the Lord] The punishment of the damned is two-fold, the punishment of sense, set forth by flaming fire; the punishment of losse, expressed in these words, From the presence of the Lord, and the glory of his power.
V. 10. glorifid in his saints] Not onelyonly in himself, but in his Saints also, whose glory as it cometh from him, so it redoundeth also to him. Rom. 11. 36.
admitted in all them] When the world shall see them, who are accounted the off-scourings of all things in this world, then shine as starres for evermore, in whose brightnesse and conformitie to the glorious body of Christ his infinite goodnesse and mercy shall be then admired of all.
V. 11. count] Or, vouchsafe.
of this calling] By calling he meaneth not the very act of calling, but that whereunto they are called, to wit, the glory of that heavenly Kingdome: so is the word taken, Ephes. 4. 4. Phil. 3. 14.
CHAP. II.
Vers. 1. BY the coming of our Lord] A kinde of religious adjuration; the meaning whereof is, As truely as you look for the coming of the Lord; or, I beseech you, by that dear account that ye make of the coming of our Lord, and of that glory which we shall enjoy by, and in him. So the Preposition foreign is used by the Poet, Il. foreign.
V. 2. shaken in minde] Gr. moved from your minde. The word foreign, properly signifieth to be tossed in the Sea with a Tempest: and his meaning is, that they should not be transported by any violent blast of false doctrine from the truth of the Gospel, or from their right sense and judgement.
neither by spirit] We must take heed of false prophets, who goabout to deceive for the most part after three sorts; for either they brag of feigned Visions and Propheticall Revelations, or by conjectures and sophisticall reasons of their owne, or they use counterfeit Writings; with which three the Apostle meeteth in this verse; the first he taxeth in the first, by spirit; the second in the next, by word; the third in the last, by letter, as it were, from us. (Although some conceive, and not improbably, that the false Apostles forged not any letter of the Apostle, but fastly glossed upon some passages in the former Epistle to the Thessalonians, from thence inferring erroneously, that the Apostle should intimate, that the day of judgement was then at hand.)
V. 3. falling away first] Some understand by the word foreign, a falling away of many kingdoms from the Roman Empire; but the word Apostasie in the New Testament, is taken for a falling away from the truth of doctrine, and the purity of the Gospel: and such a kinde of generall and universall revolt, and defection from true saith, love and obedience to the Gospel of Christ, is foretold to come to passe in the later dayes, by the Apostle, 1 Tim. 4. 1.
man of sinne] An Hebraisme, signifying, a man notoriously sinfull, and a lost sonne, or a sonne of perdition, such a one as Judas is termed, Joh 17. 12.
V. 4. exalteth himself above] Not onelyonly above all that are called gods, that is, Kings and Princes, to whom that style in given; but also above the true God, crossing and contradicting his Word and ordinance, and opposing Christ, and his doctrine, and offices; whence he hath his name Antichrist, although he shall pretend nothing lesse; therefore also two hornes are attributed to him, like the horns of the Lamb, Rev. 13. 11.
is worshipped] foreign, the Greek word, doth signifie that which is held in the highest degree of reverence, whether religious or civill, as is the Majestie of Kings.
he as God] He shall be honoured with the honour that is due unto God, he shall be carried upon the shoulders of men, and waited upon by Kings and Princes; he shall take to himself the supreme Authority and Prerogative which appertains to God, and not stick at the very Title of God, and be adored upon the Altar at his Consecration. See Concil. Later. ses. 4. Tu es alter Deus in terra: and Extravag. Jo. 22. in glos. Dominus Deus noster Papa.
…sitteth in the temple of God] That is, reigneth and domineereth. In the phrase the Apostle alludeth to Ezek. 28. 2. By the Temple of God he meaneth, the Assembly of men which sometimes were the spirituall Temple of God; that is, his undoubted true Church, and still beareth that title. Saint Austine and others, interpret foreign, not in the Temple of God, but against the Temple of God; and they conceive hereby to be meant, that Antichrist shall rise up against the Church of God. Both wayes it may be applyed to the Antichrist of Rome.
V. 6. what withholdeth] Or, holdeth. That which now did hinder and keep him back yet at present, untill the time prefixed by God. This (by the judgement of Tertullian, Hierome, and Chrysostome, and other ancient Doctors of the Church) was the Romane Empire, which subsisting and flourishing then, withheld the manifestation of Antichrist, who should rise upon the ruines of that Empire. Revel. 13. 1, 11. & 17. 9, 10, 11.
V. 7. mysterie of iniquitie] The word mysterie was written on the Popes Miter. See Casaub. not. in Test. Nov. there the mysterie of iniquitie is opposed to the mysterie of godlinesse, 1 Tim. 3. 16. and it signifyeth the secret rising of Antichristian dominion, whereof some foundations were secretly laid in the Apostles times by Satan and his instruments, who by desire of prehenminency in the Church, 3 John 9. 10. and by introducing of false and superstitious doctrine, began to build his Romish Babel.
V. 8. that wicked] In the Greek foreign, properly signifieth a lawlesse man, he that holdeth himself subject to no law; and this title well befitteth him, who in the Canon Law is said to be solutus omni lege humana; and again, nec totus clerus, nec totus mundus potest Papam judicare, aut deponere; and that if he fall into damnable errour, and draw thousands of souls after him to perdition, no man may here say, Why doth he so? Dist. 40.
shall consume] The word foreign, doth properly signifie to waste and consume by little and little, till a thing come to nothing; so shall Christ consume Antichrist by little and little, in his own time, and make him lose his power and authoritie by degrees, in Christendome.
with the spirit of his mouth] See Esa. 11. 4. Hos. 6. 5. Rev. 2. 16. By the pure preaching of his Gospel, whereby the Spirit of the Lord is powerfull in the hearts of men, Esa. 11. 4. Heb. 4. 12. for the Ministers of the Word are as a mouth, whereby the Lord breatheth out that mightie and everlasting Word, which shall bruise his enemies, and break them in sunder like a rod of iron.
destroy] Or, bring to nought.
brightnesse of his coming] At the day of judgement, for then he shall come in flaming fire, 2 Thes. 1. 8. and then shall the beast, and false Prophet be put to death, and cast into the Lake of fire, Revel. 19. 20.
V. 9. with] Gr. in.
lying wonders] Gr. of a lie, or, falshhood. Either false and counterfeit signes and wonders, or true signes and wonders, miranda, non miracula, wrought by the power of Satan, to confirme erroneous doctrines and lies, and to maintain his servants in their reputation, and purblinde men in their false conceits and superstitions: such are Popish miracles (falsly so called) being either lying prodigies, or prodigious lies.
V. 10. with] Gr. in.
V. 11. shall] Gr. Tec. doth.
send them strong delusion] God, by withholding his grace, shall blinde their eyes, who wilfully shut them against the truth; or for their obdurate malice and incredulity, shall give them over to Satan, to captivate their mindes and understandings, and powerfully seduce and deceive them. 1 Kings 22. 22. Job 12. 16. Esay 19. 14. Ezek. 14. 9. Rom. 1. 24, 28. 2 Cor. 4. 4.
beleeve a lie] Forged and false doctrines.
V. 12. damned] Gr. judged.
pleasure in unrighteousnesse] That is, in lies, as appears by the opposition to truth; and most justly are they condemned, who liked lies so well, that they had pleasure in them; which is the greatest madnesse that may be.
V. 13. through] Gr. in.
sanctification of the spirit] Either through the sanctification of your spirit, your hearts being purified by faith; or, through the sanctification wrought in you by the Spirit of God.
and belief of the truth] Faith which layeth hold, not upon lies, but upon the truth of God, which is the Gospel.
V. 15. hold the traditions] The doctrines, precepts or instructions, which we delivered unto you, either by word of mouth, when I was present with you, or by my Letters in my absence; to both yeeld like credence and obedience.
CHAP. III.
Vers. 1. PRay for us] See Ephes. 6. 19. Col. 4. 3.
may have free course] Gr. may run.
and be glorified] As the Word of the Lord is dishonoured and contemned when it is either not beleeved, or not obeyed; so it is glorified, and God by it, when it is mixed with faith and obedience in the hearers. Heb. 4. 2.
V. 2. unreasonable and wicked men] Gr. absurd. Froward and perverse men, both false Hypocrites which closely undermine the Gospel, and those publike opposers of the truth, which persecute us for the professing of it.
for all men have not faith] Gr. faith is not of all men. It is no marvail that the Gospel is opposed and hated by so many, seeing that faith is a rare gift of God; notwithstanding the Church shall never be destroyed by the multitude of the wicked, because it is founded upon the faithfull promise of God. Matth. 16. 18.
from evill] Or, that evill one. Either from the Devill, that wicked one, his snares and temptations, or from any evill thing that may hurt you.
V. 5. into the love] Or, to the love.
the patient waiting of Christ] Or, the patience of Christ.
V. 6. in the Name of the Lord] In Christ his behalf.
withdraw your selves] Have no familiar communion with such, after due knowledge is taken of them by the Church, and they, being admonished, remain disobedient still. Matth. 18. 15, 17. 1 Cor. 5. 11.
walketh disorderly] This may be taken, either in generall for all kinde of evill carriage and misbehaviour, whereby scandall is given to the Church of God; or of that particular disorder, whereof he maketh mention vers. 11. of those who attend not on their own calling, but curiously enquire into the lives and manners of others, and thrust their Sickle into anothers harvest.
V. 7. follow] Gr. imitate.
V. 8. for nought] That is, not paying for it, though if he had not paid for it, he had not received it for nought; for the labourer, as our Saviour teacheth, Matth. 10. 10. is worthy of his hire: and they who minister carnall things for spirituall, minister not for nought, but make a gainfull exchange. Yet the Apostle, to give a good example of painfulnesse to others, besides his labours in his ministeriall function, for which he might have required due maintenance from the Thessalonians, took pains day and night at his profession, which was Tent-making, thereby to supply his wants, and spare the Churches. Acts 18. 3.
chargeable to any of you] The Greek word signifieth burdensome; not that indeed the affording comfortable maintenance to their faithfull Pastours, is, or ought to be accounted a burden to their flocks; but because most men, who are worldly minded, esteem it so.
V. 10. that if any would not work] He saith not, If any do not work, for some would work if they could get any imployment; some are not able to work, through age and naturall infirmitie; yet God forbid that either of these should starve for want of food: but the Apostle forbiddeth any such to be relieved by the charitie of the Church, who are in want through their own idlenesse, who may have work, and are able to performe it, but will not take any pains for their living.
V. 11. busie-bodies] There are none more busie in other mens matters then they who neglect their own. 1 Pet. 4. 15.
V. 12. eat their own bread] The bread which they earn by their labour, and not that which is given them of Alms.
V. 13. be not weary in well-doing] Or, faint. See Gal. 6. 9. Take heed that some mens unworthinesse cause not you to be slack in well-doing.
V. 14. by this Epistle, note that man] Or, signifie that man by an Epistle] Set a brand upon him, as Rom. 16. 17. marke those which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned. Or, give me notice of him by Letter, that I may take some course with him.
V. 15. as an enemy] We must so eschew familiarity with excommunicated persons, that we diligently seek all occasions and means that may be, to bring them again to the right way.
admonish] Or, instruct.
V. 16. Lord of peace] Prayers are the seals of all exhortations, wherewith the Apostle concludes all his Epistles.