‏ 2 Thessalonians 1:9

 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.

Copyright information for RWP