2Th 1:8-10 | RWP | e4.org | Rendering ( διδοντος ). Genitive of present active participle of διδωμ , to give, agreeing with Ιησου . Vengeance ( εκδικησιν ). Late word from εκδικεω , to vindicate, in Polybius and LXX. To them that know not God ( τοις μη ειδοσιν θεον ). Dative plural of perfect active participle ειδως . Apparently chiefly Gentiles in mind ( ; ; ; ), though Jews are also guilty of wilful ignorance of God ( ). And to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus ( κα τοις μη υπακουουσιν τω ευαγγελιω του κυριου ημων Ιησου ). Repetition of the article looks like another class and so Jews ( ). Both Jews as instigators and Gentiles as officials ( πολιταρχς ) were involved in the persecution in Thessalonica ( ; ). Note the use of "gospel" here as in "believe in the gospel."

‏ 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10

Rendering ( διδοντος ). Genitive of present active participle of διδωμ, to give, agreeing with Ιησου.

Vengeance ( εκδικησιν ). Late word from εκδικεω, to vindicate, in Polybius and LXX.

To them that know not God ( τοις μη ειδοσιν θεον ). Dative plural of perfect active participle ειδως. Apparently chiefly Gentiles in mind (1Th 4:3; Ga 4:8; Ro 1:28; Eph 2:12), though Jews are also guilty of wilful ignorance of God (Ro 2:14).

And to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus ( κα τοις μη υπακουουσιν τω ευαγγελιω του κυριου ημων Ιησου ). Repetition of the article looks like another class and so Jews (Ro 10:16). Both Jews as instigators and Gentiles as officials ( πολιταρχς ) were involved in the persecution in Thessalonica (Ac 17:5-9; 2Th 1:6). Note the use of "gospel" here as in Mr 1:15 "believe in the gospel."

Who ( οιτινες ). Qualitative use, such as. Vanishing in papyri though surviving in Paul (1Co 3:17; Ro 1:25; Ga 4:26; Php 4:3).

Shall suffer punishment ( δικην τισουσιν ). Future active of old verb τινω, to pay penalty ( δικην, right, justice), here only in N.T., but αποτινω once also to repay Phm 1:19. In the papyri δικη is used for a case or process in law. This is the regular phrase in classic writers for paying the penalty.

Eternal destruction ( ολεθρον αιωνιον ). Accusative case in apposition with δικην (penalty). This phrase does not appear elsewhere in the N.T., but is in IV Macc. 10:15 τον αιωνιον του τυραννου ολεθρον the eternal destruction of the tyrant (Antiochus Epiphanes). Destruction (cf. 1Th 5:3) does not mean here annihilation, but, as Paul proceeds to show, separation

from the face of the Lord ( απο προσωπου του κυριου ) and from the

glory of his might ( κα απο της δοξης της ισχυος αυτου ), an eternity of woe such as befell Antiochus Epiphanes. Αιωνιος in itself only means age-long and papyri and inscriptions give it in the weakened sense of a Caesar's life (Milligan), but Paul means by age-long

the coming age in contrast with

this age, as

eternal as the New Testament knows how to make it. See on Mt 25:46 for use of αιωνιος both with ζωην, life, and κολασιν, punishment.

When he shall come ( οταν ελθη ). Second aorist active subjunctive with οταν, future and indefinite temporal clause (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 971ff.) coincident with εν τη αποκαλυψε in verse 7.

To be glorified ( ενδοξασθηνα ). First aorist passive infinitive (purpose) of ενδοξαζω, late verb, in N.T. only here and verse 12, in LXX and papyri.

In his saints ( εν τοις αγιοις αυτου ). The sphere in which Christ will find his glory at the Revelation.

And to be marvelled at ( κα θαυμασθηνα ). First aorist passive infinitive (purpose), common verb θαυμαζω.

That believed ( τοις πιστευσασιν ). Why aorist active participle instead of present active πιστευουσιν (that believe)? Frame thinks that Paul thus reassures those who believed his message when there (1Th 1:6ff.; 2:13f.). The parenthetical clause, though difficult, falls in with this idea:

Because our testimony unto you was believed ( οτ επιστευθη το μαρτυριον ημων εφ' υμας ). Moffatt calls it an anti-climax.

On that day ( εν τη ημερα εκεινη ). The day of Christ's coming (2Ti 1:12, 18; 4:8).