Annotations Upon the New Testament, 2 Thessalonians
ANNOTATIONS UPON THE Second Epistle of PAUL the Apostle, to the THESSALONIANS.
CHAP. I.
Hanc Epostolam, inter Paulinas ordine temporis secundam esse, utpote proxime scriptam post p…o em ad Thessalonicenses, recte censent eruditi: De loco minus inter eos convenit. Estius.GRotius thinkes this Epistle in order of writing was before the former; but the order was inverted by those which gathered, and digested the Epistles.
Vers. 5. Counted worthy *Loquitur hic apertè non de merito, sed de dignatiene gratuita: Quis enim meritus est vocari? Pareus. The proudest linguist in Rome, cannot give one instance from any Classicall Author Divine or Prophane, where foreign signifies other then dignari. In our English to vouchsafe, to account, esteeme, or accept as worthy. Doctor Sclater.] Some translations formerly had it make worthy. This is of Gods free acceptance of grace, and not of the merit of our constancy; and it is so likewise fitly translated, 11. v. But because the making worthy is referred to God, the translators were not so carefull of the terme, seeing it might be understood that God by his grace makes us worthy in his account. And the Rhemists have falsely translated their owne Latine Text, which is dignetur, that our God would vouchsafe, or accept as worthy; and not to make worthy as they have wilfully corrupted the Text to make it serve their heresie. Doctor Fulke.
Vers. 8. In flaming fire] In the fire or burning of flame, that is flaming, foreign,In igne flammae, id est Flammante sive in flammato. Atque ita legit Ambrosius. Scire autem licet apud vulgatum interpretem esse in flamma ignis. Quomodo sanè Tertullianus legit adversus Marcionem l. 5. c. 16. Ego parum referre arbitror utro modo legatur. Nam si…e illud sive h…c dicas, sententia in idem recidit. Ignis flammae legitur Jesa. 4, 5. & Thren. 2, 3. flamma ignis Jesa. 29.8. Drus. Observat. Sac. l. 16. c. 13. Vide Zanchium & G…otium in loc. by an Hebraisme, in igne flammante. See 2 Pet. 3.10.
Vers. 10. To be admired in all them that beleeve] The Saints of God know most of Christ and his riches, yet then they shall admire him; admiration is the overplus of expectation. Admiratio oritur ex rerum novarum & magnarum intuitus. Zanchius.
CHAP. II.
IOhannes scripsit Antichristi Mysterium, Paulus Commentarium. John in his Revelation, Antichristum typicè adumbravit Daniel c. 7. & sequentibus. Topicè posteà delineavit planius Paulus, 2 Thess. 2. plenius Johannes in Sigillis, Tubl… & Phialis Apocalypticis, una cum capitis 13. & 17. vivacissimis descriptionibus. Doctor Prid. Lectione de Antichristo.doth write of Antichrist obscurely as it were in a mystery; Paul in this Epistle speaketh of him plainely, as it were by way of Commentary.
In all brotherly love, we beseech you to beware of seducers. foreign from foreign signifying love. foreign, a brother derived from foreign a wombe, a wombe-brother being properly uterinus, the fruite of one wombe; this shewes that he tendred the Thessalonians as he did his Mothers wombe or his own bowels, as brethren.Vers. 1. Now we beseech you brethren, by the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him] The meaning is this, you know that Christ will come with a company of Saints; and as you hope and desire that your selves shall be added to that company; even so we beseech you brethren by our gathering together, that you be not moved from the truth by any seducers.
Vers. 2. That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled] Their terrour is exprest by a double metaphor, 1. from a Sea-storm, Elegans metaphora à fluctibus marinis sumpta, Vorstius. Shaken in mind, yea from their mind, so the originall; their mind or understanding seemed to be torn from them through the feare of the day of judgement, as a storm forceth a ship riding in the road to cut cable. 2. From Souldiers frighted by a sudden alarm; the Greek word is metaphora à clamore tumultuantium, Vorstius. a word taken from the noyse and cry of men in an uprore. Squire. It imports such perturbation as ariseth from rumour, Marke 13. or relation of something troublesome.
Either by Spirit] That is, pretence of inspirations, revelations, immediate and extraordinary from the Spirit of God. There were some which had revelations from Satan, but delusions, pretended to speak to the people of God in the name of God. See Micah 2.11. 1 Iohn 4.1.
That the day of Christ is at hand] Nempe hoc anno, nam foreign hic dicitur de re praesenti, 1 Cor. 3.21. Gal.ut Rom. 8.38.4.4. Heb. 9.9. Grotius.
Vers 3. Except there come a falling away first] The word here used signifies the shrinking of Souldiers from their Generall to the enemy;foreign tam in sacris literis Act. 21.21. Heb. 3.12. quam in Theologorum scriptis, defectionem à Deo denotat, ejusque fide, vel religione, quam semel quis professus fuerat. Quam esse sinceram Graecae vocis proprietatem, Suarez fatetur. Atque ita seipsum postea exponit Apostolus. Clarius verò 1 Tim. 4.1. eandem Apostasiam praedicens. Patres verba Apostoli de spirituali apostasia interpretantur. Down. Diatrib. de Antichrist l. 3. c. 1. now it is by proportion drawn from hence to signifie an apostasie and backsliding from the profession of Christ to the contrary part, that is to Antichrist. The article*foreign insignis quaedam & quasi Catholica apostasia. Episc. Down. Quanquam patres aliqui hunc locum de defectione à Romano Imperio interpretantur, ut Ambrosius, Sedulius, Primasius, Tertullianus & Hieronymus; & Bellarminus ait hanc esse valde probabilem sententiam: tamen constat hanc defectionem non intelligi. Nam loquitur Apostolus de illa foreign quae futura erat per Antichristum: at Antichristus fidem & religionem oppugnaturus erat, non politiam, Christo se non Imperatori oppositurus: Ecclesiae & religionis, non Regnorum & Rerumpublicarum statum mutaturus. Whitakerus de Ecclesia cont. 2. q. 3.sheweth that he speaks of a famous apostacie There is a twofold defection, one civil, from the Roman Empire; so Ambrose, Jerome, Tertullian, interpret it; the other Ecclesiasticall, from the true worship of God to Idolatry, defectio à side; so Chrysostome, Oecumen, Theophylact, and Theodoret expound it. Austen de civitate Dei saith this is the more probable, and so Paul useth the word Heb. 3. 1 Tim. 4. Some expound apostasie by a Metonymie of the adjunct, and understand by it Antichrist himselfe the Apostate.
And that man of sinne be revealed] Antichrist is called foreign, the man of sinne, because he amongst men is the most sinfull, either from his personall sinne, or corrupting others. An Hebraisme, merum scelus, Beza. The sonne of perdition] A man devoted to destruction. See John 17.12.
Vers. 4. Who opposeth] Or is an adversary, or opposite, foreign, another Satan, he is a divellish adversary. The article is not alwaies restrictive, restraining the name to an individuum. Matth. 1.35. Luke 4.4.
And exalteth himselfe above all that is called God] That is, all those to whom the name of God is communicated. Angels in Heaven, Psal. 8.5. compared with Heb. 2.7. and Magistrates on earth, Exod. 22.12.
Or that is worshipped] Any thing that is worshipped as God, or wherein God is worshipped. See Acts 17 23. So in the Church of Rome are the Host, the Crosse, the Saints, and their Images and Reliques. The Pope advanceth himselfe above Angels, Kings, and Princes, who are called Gods; above the Saints, the Host, the Crosse, and whatsoever foreign is in the Church of Rome, and yet requireth them all to be worshipped.
So that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God] To sit, either absolutely or transitively to set himselfe.
The Temple] Not of Jerusalem, that was destroyed, and never to be restored: but the company of them which professe the name of Christ, who are called the house and Temple of God, 1 Pet. 2.5. Heb. 3.6. Ephes. 2.20, 21. 1 Cor. 3.16, 17. 2 Cor. 6.16. Rev. 3.12. The Apostle speakes here of Antichrist, and saith, he sitteth in the Temple of God as God; those words as God, evidently shew that he speakes not of a corporall sitting in a materiall Temple, according to the grosse imagination of the Papists, (for so God doth not sit) but of the dominion of Antichrist in the universall Church,Sedere for cathedratica potestate praesidere. Estius. As the use of the word is frequ…nt in Greeke and Latine authors. see Matth. 13. Act. 18.11. Downam. Diatrib. de Antichristo. l. 1. c. 3. The chiefe place of the Popes dominion is called his Sedes, that is, See or seat. and the usurpation of supreame power over all Christians. Sitting is raigning Psal. 9.5. & 29.10. & 110.1. compared with 1 Cor. 15.25. Zach. 6.12. and whereas other Kings and Princes are said to raigne some moneths or yeeres, the Pope of Rome is said to sit so long: so Rev. 17.11, 15. & 18 7.
As God] Challenging to himselfe supreame, universall, and divine power in the Church,The Pope of Rome ruleth over the Church as if he were a God upon earth. The Canonists call him Dominum Deum nostrum Papam. See Downam of Antichrist, ch. 5. & 6. and equalling himselfe to our Lord Christ, blessed for ever. He shall rule and raigne as if he were a God.
Shewing himselfe that he is God] The Greek word rendered shewing, as Beza observeth, is answerable to the Hebrew Moreth, faciens se apparare, prae se ferens; or as we say, taking upon him as if he were God.
Hoc est occulta quedam iniquitas, alta, profunda & numeris omnibus absoluta, nam ea vis est ejus locutionis apud alios auctores. Causab.Vers. 7. For the mysterie of iniquity doth already work] That is, Antichristianisme; it is iniquity, but mysticall, that is, palliated with the name of piety; so the ordinary Glosse. It is a divellish opposition unto Christ, cunningly cloaked under the profession of Christ.
He who now letteth] foreign. This is expounded two waies, which come both to one: qui obstat, so Chrysostome, and after him Oecumenius, so Beza and we; or qui tenet imperium, Romae enim Dominus qui potuit esse Antichristus, quam, diu R…mae dominatus est Imperator? Latinè interdum tenere dicuntur, qui rerum potiuntur. Down. ib.sive imperat, so Austen; For the Emperour by holding the Empire at Rome, did let or hinder the revelation of Antichrist. Down. de Antich.
Vers. 8. Shall consume with the spirit of his mouth] That is, the preaching of the Gospell in the mouthes of his Ministers. Damascene by the spirit of his mouth here understands the Word of God, and the Chaldee so interprets Esay 11.2. The Greek foreign signifies the same with the Latine consumere, to consume, whether it be done by degrees or together.
Quibus verbis putamus duos gradus distingui destructionis Antichristi, nimirum inchoatae & perfectae. Haec tum erit demum cum Dominus illustris appare…it, nempe secundo & ad orbem universum judicandum. Illa autem hanc praecedet, quum verbo ejus, id est spiritu oris, ita conficietur.And shall destroy with the brightnesse of his comming] The Apostle means either the light of the Gospell, or the second comming of Christ to judgement, or some other notable manifestation of Christs presence in waies of power and justice, and shaking the earth.
Vers. 9. Lying wonders] Or, as the words are foreign, signes and wonders of lying; that is, most lying signes and wonders. B Down. of Antichrist. 1. In their originall they proceed from the Divell the father of lies. 2. In their matter, lies, appearances, juglings, Rev. 13.13. 3. End, lying and seduction, confirming lies. Rev. 13.14. Dr. Taylor. See Beza.
Vers. 10. And with all deceivablenesse of unrighteousnesse] An Hebraisme, they call falshood unrighteousnesse; they deceive by their relickes and miracles. Rev. 13.14. foreign the out path leading to wickednesse.
Because they received not the love of truth] that is, wilfully despised grace offered, those doctrines of truth concerning God; and our duty to him, and our salvation.
foreign.Vers. 11. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions] efficacy of delusion.
That they should believe a lie] That lie, viz Antichrist.
Vers. 12. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth] that is, that shall not have believed the truth, Qui non crediderint veritati. But had pleasure in unrighteousnesse] But shall have delighted in iniquity, Sed acquieverint in injustitia. B. Down of Antich. l. 2. c. 12.See Mark 16.16.
Vers. 13. And beliefe of the truth] This hath reference to salvation, that is, he hath appointed us to salvation, which is to be had by this means.Vers. 13. Videtur Apostolus in verbis illis foreign digitum intendere ad initia ingressus peccati in mundum per praevaricationem Adae. Piscat. quod & mihi etiam (inquit Twissus) plurimum arridet.
Vers. 14. Whereunto he hath called you by our Gospell] That is, the Gospell discovered in my preaching.
To the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ] See 1 Thess. 5.9.
Vers. 15. Therefore brethren stand fast, and hold *Retinete, foreign, totis nimirum viribus. Haec enim est propria declaratio foreign quod eruditè obse…vavit Syrus interp…es Beza. 1 Cor. 11.2. See Beza and Fulke against Martin. vide Grotium. Nihil aliud per traditiones fignificat Apostolus, nisi doctrinam E…angelii de vera fide in Christum, & refipiscentia; quam ex sua institutione pridem didicerant, deinde per epistolam quoque edocti suerant. Supervacanea enim & falsa forent ista verba, sive per Epistolam, si per traditiones intelligeret tantùm ordinationes foreign quae pòst per manus traditae essent, seu de dogmatibus, seu de ritibus, praeter verbum dei, in Ecclesia servandis. Zanchius.the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our Epistle] The traditions which the Apostle recommendeth to the Thessalonians were no other but such as he mentioned to the Corinthians, according to the Scripture. The Apostle by those words hath reference to those things which are written elsewhere. The disjunctive whether doth not alwaies distinguish between documents or precepts in respect of the substance or thing it selfe, but onelyonly insinuates the divers manners by which one and the same doctrine is delivered by one and the same Teacher present.
The traditions] The doctrines delivered unto you; which you have been taught, whether by word] By lively voyce in the ministery of the word preached, which you heare;Mr. Hildersam. or by our Epistle] Or by the holy Scripture which ye reade.
CHAP. III.
Vers. 1. MAy have a free course] That is, a speedy and uninterrupted passage; and be glorified] That is, purely and powerfully preached.Id est, ut Evangelica doctrina per nostram praedicatioum foeliciter ac sine impedimento propagetur ac proficiat; utque celebris efficiatur, atque de eo homines ubique bene loquantur. Estius.
Vers. 2. Vnreasonable] Absurd, foreign.
And evill men] foreign, men desirous of trouble.
Vers. 3. Who shall stablish you, and keep you from evill] Stablish you in the faith,Observanda sunt diligenter illa verba foreign & foreign. habent enim singularem emphasin; notant nempe vim & efficaciam gratiae, qua imbecillitas illa & inconstantia nativa stabilitur & confirmatur adversus omem insultum, quo debilitari alioqui & frangi denique sanctissimus quisque facillime posset. Cameron praelect. in Matth. 18.7. lest you fall from it; and keep you from evill, viz. the divell, lest he subvert your faith by evill men, as the instruments of his art. Estius. Or it may be taken more generally here for any evill. à Lapidè.
Vers. 5. And the Lord direct your hearts] The word signifies, by a right line to direct one to somewhat.
Into the love of God] we cannot waite on the Lord Jesus Christ except we first love him.
VntoUnto the patient waiting for Christ] That is, to endure in waiting for Christ, foreign sustinentia, patiens expectatio rei desideratae.
Vers. 6. That walketh disorderly] Either without a calling, or idly and negligently in his calling. He explicates this in the subsequent words.
And not after the tradition which he received of us] What the Tradition was is expressed by and by after, Vers. 10. He which will not labour must not eate. This doctrine was written before when God commandeth every man to labour in his vocation.
Vers. 9. Not that we have not power] foreign, right, title,See 1 Thess. 2.6. lawfull authority to take maintenance from his Auditors.
But that we might make our selves an example, &c.] foreign, as 1 Tim. 4.12. when applied to denote what tends to exemplary, it signifies the liveliest expression, and as I may term it, effigiation of that vertue or vertuous practice which we desire to exemplifie. Dr. Sclater.
Vers. 10. If any would not worke] viz. in some speciall and warrantable calling.
Vers. 11. That there are some] He chargeth not the crime upon the whole Church, he saith not at all, or most of you, but some; loquitur quam fieri potest parcissime. 2. He speakes indefinitely.
Which walk among you disorderly] Not labouring but being busie bodies, living without a calling, or neglecting their calling, and going trifling up and down here and there, twatling and talking of what pertaines not to them. The word being military signifies one out of his ranke, one that is not in file to fight against his enemy.
Nihil agentes sed curiose sa tagentes. Steph. praefat. ad Nov. Test Nihil operantes sed circum operantes. Estius. Vide à Lap.Working not at all, but are busie-bodies] There is an elegant Paranomasia in the Greeke, foreign, which other languages cannot expresse; not working, but over working; not working at home, but overworking abroad. Idlenesse and curiositity goe together.
Vers. 12. And eat their own bread] That is, the bread which is procured and deserved by his own just and honourable labour. As if he had said, He that doth nothing hath right to nothing, he hath no bread of his own to eat.
Vers. 13. Be not weary in wel-doing] Giving over and fainting, because he findeth not such successe and encouragement from men as he should.
Vers. 14. Note the man] judicially, that all may avoyd him; that is, excommunicate him.Baines his Diocesans triall. Significat notare, nota quapiam insignire, & in abquem animadvertere: ut censores apud Romanos notare solebant. Dicit ergo, notate ignominia, tanquam probrum, & pestem publicam: seu ut nos loquimur, excommunicate, excludite Ecclesiâ & coetu vestro. Zanchius. vide Bezam. Some rather render notice, or signifie him: the word signifies both. Note him with a brand of infamy, or notice him as infamous to the Church, that all may avoyd him. See Dr. Sclater in loc.
And have no company with him] Greeke, be not mingled with him, in intimate familiarity. See 1 Cor. 5.9, 11.