1. By the coming (é7ép). More correctly touching. Comp. Rom. ix. 27; 2 Cor. i. 8. ‘Ysrép never in N. T. in a formula of swearing.
Gathering together (émicvvaywyfs). Only here and Heb. x. 25. The verb ésicuvdyev is used, as the noun here, of the Lord’s gathering together his elect at his coming. See Matt. xxiv. 31; Mk. xiii. 27; comp. 2 Mace. ii. T.
2. Shaken (carevOjvar). From odnos the tossing or swell of the sea. See L. xxi. 25. Comp. Matt. xi. T; xxiv. 29; Acts iv. 81; Heb. xii. 26.
In mind (ao rod voos). More correctly, from your mind. Nods signifies the gudgment, sober sense. Comp. 1 Cor. xiv. 15, and see on Rom. vii. 28. They are to “ keep their heads” under the temptation to fanatical extravagances concerning the Lord’s appearing.
Be troubled (9pocicOar). From @pods clamor, tumult. The meaning is be unsettled or thrown into confusion.
Cu. Il] THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. 68
By spirit (va amvevwaros). By prophetic utterances of individuals in Christian assemblies, claiming the authority of divine revelations.
By word (sa Adyov). Oral expressions falsely imputed to Paul.
By letter as from us (0 émictoAns ws Ov jyav). Const. as from us with word and letter. The reference is to a letter or letters forged in Paul’s name; not to the first Thessalon- ian Epistle, as misunderstood by the readers.
As that (as 67). Indicating the contents of such com- munications.
Is at hand (évéotnxev). Better than Rev. 1s now present. Lightfoot, happily, zs emminent.
3. Deceive (éEararjon). Better beguile; since the word means not only making a false impression, but actually leading astray.
Except there come a falling away. Before except insert in translation the day shall not come. Such ellipses are com- mon in Paul.
Falling away (amoctacia). Only here and Acts xxi. 21. Momp. LXX, Josh. xxii. 22; 2 Chron. xxix. 19.
The man of sin — the son of perdition (6 dv@pwrros Tis avo- plas, 6 vids Ths ar@delas). See on children of light, 1 Th. v. 5. The phrase man of sin (lawlessness) does not occur elsewhere, either in N. T. or LXX. Son of perdition is found J. xvii. 12, °LXX: réeva dronrelas children of perdition (A. V. trans- gression), Isa. lvii. 4. The man of sin has been thought to refer to Caligula, Titus, Simon Magus, Nero, the Pope of Rome, Luther, Mahomet, ete.
64 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cz. I.
4, That is called God (Acyopevor Ocov). Above the true God and the false gods. The opposer claims divine honors for himself.
That is worshipped (céGacua). An object of adoration, including things as well as persons. Only here and Acts xvil. 23 on which see note under devotions.
Temple of God. According to some, a figure of the Chris- tian Church. Others, the temple of Jerusalem.
Shewing (a7odexvivta). Publicly asserting divine dig- nity. Rev. setting himself forth as God.
6. What withholdeth (76 xaréyov). Better restraineth. The verb means to hold fast, as L. viii. 15: to hold back, as L. iv. 42. See on Rom. i. 18. He refers to some power which hinders the revelation of the man of sin or Antichrist.
In his time (év 7@ avdtod xaip@). Better, in his own season. Not before his appointed season.
7. Mystery of iniquity (uvornpiov tis avouias). Better, of lawlessness. The phrase is unique in N. T. and °LXX. Mystery is found in various combinations, as mystery of the kingdom of heaven, Matt. xiii. 11: of God, 1 Cor. ii. 1: of his will, Eph. i. 9: of Christ, Eph. iii. 4: of the gospel, Eph. vi. 19: of faith, 1 Tim. iii. 9: of godliness, 1 Tim. iii. 16: of the seven stars, Apoc. i. 20: of the woman, Apoc. xvii. 7. A mystery does not lie in the obscurity of a thing, but in its secrecy. It is not in the thing, but envelops it. Applied to a truth, it signifies a truth once hidden but now revealed or to be revealed; a truth which without special revelation would be unknown. It is almost universally found in con- nection with words signifying publication or revelation. See on Matt. xiii. 11. The mystery of lawlessness is the mass of lawlessness yet hidden, but which is to reveal itself in the person and power of Antichrist. The position of the word