Cornelius a Lapide
Table of Contents
Argument
The Greek and the Royal Latin editions state at the end that this epistle was written at Athens; but the Syriac says at Laodicea; while Oecumenius and Athanasius in the Synopsis say at Rome. It seems more probable that this second epistle was written a little after the first, while the Apostle was still residing at Corinth, in the year of Christ 53. Hence Timothy and Silvanus are inscribed both in this second and in that first one: as it were greeting them along with Paul, and sending them this epistle.
First, he exhorts the Thessalonians to constancy in the faith of Christ, and that for it they may bravely bear the persecutions of the Gentiles and the Jews, in hope of the heavenly reward.
Secondly, he teaches that the day of judgment is not yet at hand: for certain false and fraudulent teachers had persuaded them that this day was at hand, and to this end were fabricating certain words as though spoken by Paul, and certain epistles as though written by him, by which he was asserting this. Therefore he here refutes these impostors, and removes from them the fear of an imminent judgment, and teaches that the Antichrist must first come, whose qualities, life, and habits he here describes.
Thirdly, he warns that traditions, whether received by word or by writing, are to be kept.
Fourthly, he teaches that they should flee and restrain idle, curious, and unquiet men. Finally, he gives them a sign by which they may distinguish his genuine epistles from the counterfeit ones which the aforesaid impostors were producing.