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Ambrosiaster

Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500 · 1,043 passages across 16 books

Commentary

461–480 of 1,043
2 Thessalonians 1:8

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

do not know God
This refers to the pagans who do not know that God is the Father of Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:10

When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

in that day
The Gospel will bear witness to them in the Day of the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 2:2

That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

Deceivers have a way of counterfeiting letters under the name of some well-known person in order to mislead, so that the authority of the name may recommend something which would never be accepted on its own.

2 Thessalonians 2:3

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

He says this so that they will not be upset by their own lack of caution and be led astray into the worship of the Devil.

2 Thessalonians 2:4

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

so much so that he sits in the temple of God
Thus it appears that he will either be of the circumcision or at least circumcised himself, so that the Jews will have the confidence to believe in him.

presenting himself as if he were God
He will even sit in Christ's seat in the house of God and declare that he is not the Son of God, but God himself.

2 Thessalonians 2:7

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

The mystery of iniquity began with Nero, who in his zeal for idolatry killed the apostles at the instigation of his father the Devil, and went on to Diocletian, and most recently Julian. And that, AQUINAS all the wicked who have gone before are signs of the Antichrist.

2 Thessalonians 2:10

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Paul says that the deception of the iniquity of his miracles is of advantage to those who will perish, because they have rejected the love of the truth by which they could have been saved through the preaching of the Apostles, they have been handed over to the Devil. They did not want to be saved and so they have been abandoned by God.

2 Thessalonians 2:12

That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

In this passage the foreknowledge of God comes through clearly. He knows the minds of all before they are born, nor is it a secret to Him of who will believe. He has known from the beginning who would become believers and which of them will increase in faith and not decrease.

2 Thessalonians 2:14

Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In order for God's foreknoledge to remain favorable to their salvation, Paul warns them to stand and to presevere in the traditon of the Gospel. They must take care not to grow weary through idleness or sloth and so fail to complete the work of God which they have begun.

2 Thessalonians 3:4

And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

Because they had deserved it, Paul was confident that they would be kept safe by the protection of God, and so he did not doubt that they would do the things which he preached for them in the name of the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 3:6

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

Since every congregation not everyone is obedient to the word of doctrine and some prefer their own pleasure and determination, not that of the law, Paul directs the Thessalonians to turn away from them so that they will realize their error. *A brother who is caught doing such things the bishop can bar him not only from the Sacraments but also from common intercourse with his fellows, so that when he is avoided by them he may feel ashamed and repent.

2 Thessalonians 3:8

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

There would have been nothing wrong if he had accepted food from them for his health, because he gave them spiritual food for their souls, which also obtained for them an immortal body with glory. But there is complete freedom when someone is content with his own food and does not depend on anyone else for nourishment or money.

2 Thessalonians 3:10

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Then, too, while we were with you, we insisted on this to you
Paul not only taught with words but encouraged others by his deeds. It is the sign of a perfect teacher when he backs up his teaching with deeds. Those who learn know what they are hearing is true if they see that these things are not neglected by their teacher. Even if they know that what they are being taught is obviously true, if they see that it is ignored by their teacher, it will make little impression on his hearers, because actions speak louder than words.

that if anyone was not willing to work, neither should he eat
Whoever dines often at someone else's house is given over to idleness and must flatter the person who is feeding him, but our religion calls people to freedom. So Paul says that if someone refuses to eat then he does not have to work, because nobody can live without food, everyone should strive to live independently and in that way please God.

2 Thessalonians 3:12

Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

In order to convince them more easily, Paul interjects the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and encourages them to obey what is useful for them.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

In his usual way, Paul encourages them with good wishes as his dearest children, praying that peace will always be with them, which is the guide to eternal life. The Lord has promised to be with those who are peaceful.

2 Timothy 1:3

I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

When Paul persecuted the church, he did it for the love of God, not out of malevolence. In this way he served God “in his ancestors” and “from his ancestors,” as Levi was served in Abraham, when he gave and accepted tithes from Melchizedek.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY

2 Timothy 1:6

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Paul urges Timothy to nurture his spirit with eagerness of mind, rejoicing in his faith, just as he once rejoiced in the newness of his ordination.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY

2 Timothy 1:9

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

When Paul says that we are not called according to our works, he means that all who are called are sinners, though by comparison with others some were found to be more worthy. With regard to God’s own grace, however, all were totally unworthy.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY

2 Timothy 2:4

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

No one can serve two masters. Since business affairs often involve the exercise of greed, the faithful churchman must be separate from these.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

To teach the word of truth rightly is to speak it to men who wish to hear it and are peaceful in their hearing.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY

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