Commentaries:
Adam Clarke
Except there come a falling away first - We have the original word in our word apostasy; and by this term we understand a dereliction of the essential principles of religious truth - either a total abandonment of Christianity itself, or such a corruption of its doctrines as renders the whole system completely inefficient to salvation. But what this apostasy means is a question which has not yet, and perhaps never will be, answered to general satisfaction. At present I shall content myself with making a few literal remarks on this obscure prophecy, and afterwards give the opinions of learned men on its principal parts.
That man of sin - ̔ ̔· The same as the Hebrew expresses by ish aven , and ish beliyaal ; the perverse, obstinate, and iniquitous man. It is worthy of remark that, among the rabbins, Samael, or the devil, is called ish beliyaal veish aven , the man of Belial, and the man of iniquity; and that these titles are given to Adam after his fall.
The son of perdition - ̔ ̔ · The son of destruction; the same epithet that is given to Judas Iscariot, John 17:12 (note). The son of perdition, and the man of sin, or, as some excellent MSS. and versions, with several of the fathers, read, , the lawless man, see II Thessalonians 2:8, must mean the same person or thing. It is also remarkable that the wicked Jews are styled by Isaiah, Isaiah 1:4, benim mashchithim , "children of perdition;" persons who destroy themselves and destroy others.
Other Adam Clarke entries containing 2 Thessalonians 2:3:
2 Thessalonians 2:17
2 Thessalonians 2:17
2 Thessalonians 2:17
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