Fathers

2 Thessalonians 2

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Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 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. 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; 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. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

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What the Fathers say

2 Thessalonians 2:9

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"And with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that are perishing." Why then, you say, did God permit this to be? and what dispensation is this? And what is the advantage of his coming, if it takes place for the ruin of our race? Fear not, beloved, but hear Him saying, "In them that are perishing," he hath strength, who, even if he had not come, would not have believed. What then is the advantage? That these very men who are perishing will be put to silence. How? …

Homily on 2 Thessalonians 4 ↗

Cyril of Jerusalem

"And his coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders." This means that Satan will use him as his personal instrument. Realizing that his own condemnation will be no longer deferred, he will no longer wage war through his ministers in his usual way, but now openly, in person. …

Catechetical Lecture 15:14-15 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

The Apostle teaches us who the antichrist is, namely: he is a man having Satan within himself, who will act through him. He will reveal all his power, but will have nothing true, on the contrary everything will be deceptive. "With lying wonders," that is, counterfeit or misleading those who pay attention to him. Paul foretells this so that those living at that time will not be deceived.

Commentary on 2 Thessalonians ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

Thus it is that what is obscure in the words of the apostle has given rise to various conjectures. Yet, of one thing there is no doubt, namely, that Paul meant Christ will not come to judge the living and the dead until after his adversary, Antichrist, has come to seduce the souls of the dead. …

City of God 20.19.4 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says "him, whose coming", he foretells the Antichrist's power. And concerning this he does two things, for first, he sets out his power to deceive; second, he shows how this power has its cause in God's justice, at "because they do not receive." And the first of these is in three parts, for first, he sets out the one who stands behind this power; second, how he will deceive; third, he describes those who will be deceived. The one who stands behind the power is the Devil, and so Christ will destroy him. …

Commentary on 2 Thessalonians ↗