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1 And we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our gathering together unto him: 2 That you be not easily moved from your sense, nor be terrified, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by epistle, as sent from us, as if the day of the Lord were at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means, for unless there come a revolt first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, 4 Who opposeth, and is lifted up above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself as if he were God. 5 Remember you not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now you know what withholdeth, that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity already worketh; only that he who now holdeth, do hold, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then that wicked one shall be revealed whom the Lord Jesus shall kill with the spirit of his mouth; and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming, him, 9 Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power, and signs, and lying wonders, 10 And in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish; because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Therefore God shall send them the operation of error, to believe lying: 11 That all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have consented to iniquity. 12 But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved of God, for that God hath chosen you firstfruits unto salvation, in sanctification of the spirit, and faith of the truth: 13 Whereunto also he hath called you by our gospel, unto the purchasing of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 14 Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle. 15 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God and our Father, who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope in grace,16 Exhort your hearts, and confirm you in every good work and word.
(DOUAY-RHEIMS BIBLE, 2 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 2)
OUTLINE
THE GREAT APOSTASY AND THE COMING OF THE ANTICHRIST (V.1-7)
- Exhortation against false teachings on the imminent day of judgment (v. 1-2)
- On the four signs that must precede the advent of the Antichrist (v. 3-7):
1. A revolt (Apostasy);
2. The manifestation of the wicked one;
3. A hindrance , which restrains his manifestation;
4. A period of power and persecution;
THE ANTICHRIST DESCRIBED (V. 8-12)
- The wicked one shall be revealed (v. 8)
- The seduction of iniquity (v. 9- 12)
THANKSGIVING (V. 13-14)
EXHORTATIONS (V. 15-17)
COMMENTARIES
1 And we beseech you,
brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our gathering together
unto him:
Saint Paul warns the Thessalonians against false teachings concerning the imminent coming of Christ. To reassure them, he explains the signs that must precede the judgment and the advent of the Antichrist. (Chrysostom, Homily 3 on Second Thessalonians)
2 That you be not easily moved from your sense, nor be terrified, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by epistle, as sent from us, as if the day of the Lord were at hand.
That is, do not be troubled by rumours concerning these things. Also, pay no heed to false teachers and their prophecies, as if the Holy Spirit had revealed to them that the Day of Judgement is imminent (Augustine, The City of God, bk. 20, ch. 19).
3 Let no man deceive you by any means, for unless there come a revolt first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Two signs must precede the Judgement: a revolt and the advent of the Antichrist. This rebellion (Greek: ἀποστασία, apostasy) means the universal defection of nations from the Roman Empire, the Pope, and ultimately the Faith. After this, the Antichrist shall be revealed. He will be a specific individual—the most wicked of men, the personification of sin, destined to destroy himself and others. (Cornelius à Lapide, Commentaria in omnes divi Pauli epistolas, vol. 1 (Antwerp, 1614), p. 753).
4 Who opposeth, and is lifted up above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself as if he were God.
The Antichrist will claim Divine honours in the temple of Jerusalem. According to Saint Irenaeus, Jerome, and Chrysostom, he will present himself as God and demand to be worshipped as such. Suárez describes him as a false believer who will abolish idolatry and promote the Mosaic Law to deceive the Jews and be accepted as their Messiah (Manning, The Present Crisis, pp. 29–34).
6 And now you know what withholdeth, that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity already worketh; only that he who now holdeth, do hold, until he be taken out of the way.
A perpetual barrier (κατέχον) hinders the revelation of the Antichrist. This restraining power is referred to as "that which holdeth" and "he who holdeth," suggesting that it is both a system and a person. According to St. Augustine, there are two opposed mysteries: the mystery of Godliness and the mystery of iniquity led by Satan.
The mystery of Godliness was fulfilled by the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. In contrast, the kingdom of Satan will be consummated by the advent of the lawless one (ὁ ἄνομος), who will reject both Divine and human law, causing disorder and revolutions. Some Church Fathers believed that the Roman Empire was the barrier to his coming, while others thought it was the Holy Spirit or the apostolic power. These interpretations are complementary to each other. As a whole, they indicate that Christendom and its head, the Vicar of Christ, are the forces preventing the mystery of iniquity.
The gates of hell shall not prevail against the Apostolic See until God allows its removal. Just as Christ delivered Himself when His time had come, His Mystical Body must also endure suffering, apparent defeat, and persecution. As Christ rose from the dead, His Church will rise again in glory. Rome will become apostate from the Church and the Vicar of Christ, returning to paganism, idolatry, and imperial greatness. Once again, Christians will be cruelly persecuted in the city of seven hills, and many will be martyred. Having lost its sacred status before God, as ancient Jerusalem did after rejecting Christ, the eternal city will eventually be destroyed for its transgressions. (Manning, The Present Crisis, pp. 45–92).
8 And then that wicked one shall be revealed whom the Lord Jesus shall kill with the spirit of his mouth; and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming, him;
The expression "Spirit of His mouth" shows how easily God can triumph over His foes. It refers to the prophecy in Isaiah 9:4: "But he shall judge the poor with justice and shall reprove with equity for the meek of the earth, and he shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked" (Haydock, p. 427). Aquinas points out that Christ shall kill the son of perdition with the Spirit of His mouth, meaning the zeal of the Holy Spirit for justice. The brightness of His coming shall destroy him and bring to light what is hidden in darkness (Aquinas, Commentary on Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians).
9. Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power, and signs, and lying wonders;
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem explains that the coming of the lawless one is described as “according to the work of Satan,” because the devil will use him as a personal instrument, performing false miracles and illusions through him. These will include events such as making people believe they see a dead man raised to life, the lame walking, and the blind receiving sight, even though no actual healing occurs (Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lecture 15).
In like manner, Augustine holds that “signs and lying wonders” represent either Satan’s attempt to deceive men through sensible images, or real miracles wrongly attributed to the devil. God allows this trial so that ''all may be judged who have not believed the truth but have preferred wickedness” (Augustine, The City of God, bk. 20, ch. 19).
Finally, Aquinas argues that the man of sin will be a free individual acting under Satan’s inspiration. He shall deceive many through worldly powers and by working miracles. That is to say, the Antichrist will control treasures of gold and silver and shall perform great prodigies, insomuch as to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (Aquinas, Commentary on Saint Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians).
10 And in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish; because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Therefore God shall send them the operation of error, to believe lying 11 That all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have consented to iniquity.
God shall send them the operation of error; that is to say, He will allow them to be deceived as a punishment for having rejected the truth and embraced the false teachings of the Antichrist (Haydock, p. 427).
14 Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle
Saint Paul admonishes them to hold fast to the truth, and to observe the traditions and instructions received from the apostles and elders (Acts 16:4). As many teachings were not written down, he exhorts the faithful to follow not only his letters but also the doctrines transmitted orally. (Aquinas, Commentary on Saint Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians).
REFERENCES
Aquinas, Thomas. Commentary on Saint Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians. Available at: https://aquinas.cc/la/en/~2Thess (Accessed: 21 October 2024).
Augustine. The City of God. Book 20, Chapter 19. Accessed 8 October 2024. https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120120.htm#:~:text=The%20City%20of%20God%20(Book%20XX).
Catena Bible and Commentaries. 2 Thessalonians 2 - Catena Bible & Commentaries. Available at: https://catenabible.com/2thes/2 (Accessed: 21 October 2024).
Chrysostom, John. Homily 3 on Second Thessalonians. Accessed 8 October 2024. https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/23053.htm.
Cornelius à Lapide, Commentaria in omnes divi Pauli epistolas, vol. 1 (Antwerp, 1614)
Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lecture 15, (New Advent, 2023) https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310115.htm [accessed 22 October 2024].
Haydock, George Leo. Haydock Catholic Bible Commentary. Compiled by Rev. George Leo Haydock. New York: Edward Dunigan and Brother, 1859.
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