II Thessalonians 2:10
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and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
deceivableness--rather as Greek, "deceit of (to promote) unrighteousness" (Th2 2:12). in--The oldest manuscripts and versions omit "in." Translate, "unto them that are perishing" (Co2 2:15-16; Co2 4:3): the victims of him whose very name describes his perishing nature, "the son of perdition"; in contrast to you whom (Th2 2:13) "God hath from the beginning chosen to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." because--literally, "in requital for"; in just retribution for their having no love for the truth which was within their reach (on account of its putting a check on their bad passions), and for their having "pleasure in unrighteousness" (Th2 2:12; Rom 1:18); they are lost because they loved not, but rejected, the truth which would have saved them. received not--Greek, "welcomed not"; admitted it not cordially. love of the truth--not merely love of truth, but love of THE truth (and of, Jesus who is the Truth, in opposition to Satan's "lie," Th2 2:9, Th2 2:11; Joh 8:42-44), can save (Eph 4:21). We are required not merely to assent to, but to love the truth (Psa 119:97). The Jews rejected Him who came in His divine Father's name; they will receive Antichrist coming in his own name (Joh 5:43). Their pleasant sin shall prove their terrible scourge.
Open source ↗The apostle is very careful to hinder the spreading of an error into which some among them had fallen concerning the coming of Christ, as being very near (Th2 2:1-3). Then he proceeds to confute the error he cautioned them against, by telling them of two great events that were antecedent to the coming of Christ - a general apostasy, and the revelation of antichrist, concerning whom the apostle tells them many remarkable things, about his name, his character, his rise, his fall, his reign, and the sin and ruin of his subjects (Th2 2:4-12). He then comforts them against the terror of this apostasy, and exhorts them to stedfastness (Th2 2:13-15). And concludes with a prayer for them (Th2 2:16, Th2 2:17).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
These men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed.
If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be under a curse. Come, O Lord!
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.
It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.
For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.
I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation.