2-thessalonians 1:8
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
American King James Version (AKJV)
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
American Standard Version (ASV)
rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:
Basic English Translation (BBE)
To give punishment to those who have no knowledge of God, and to those who do not give ear to the good news of our Lord Jesus:
Webster's Revision
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
World English Bible
giving vengeance to those who don't know God, and to those who don't obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus,
English Revised Version (ERV)
in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:
Definitions for 2-thessalonians 1:8
Clarke's 2-thessalonians 1:8 Bible Commentary
In flaming fire - Εν φλογι πυρος· In thunder and lightning, taking vengeance - inflicting just punishment on them that know not God - the heathen who do not worship the true God, and will not acknowledge him, but worship idols; and on them that obey not the Gospel - the Jews, particularly who have rejected the Gospel, and persecuted Christ and his messengers; and all nominal Christians who, though they believe the Gospel as a revelation from God, yet do not obey it as a rule of life.
Barnes's 2-thessalonians 1:8 Bible Commentary
In flaming fire - This is a circumstance which is not noticed in the account of his appearing in the parallel place in 1 Thessalonians 4:16. The object of the apostle here seems to be to represent him as coming amidst vivid flashes of lightning. He is commonly described as coming in clouds, and to that common description there is here added the image of incessant lightnings, as if the whole heavens were illuminated with a continued blaze.
Taking vengeance - Margin, "yielding." Greek, "giving. The word "vengeance" is used in the sense of punishment, for there cannot be in God what literally corresponds with the passion of revenge; compare the notes on Romans 12:19.
On them that know not God. - On all who are strangers to him; that is, who are living in pagan darkness, or who, having heard of him, have no practical acquaintance with him.
And that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Who do not embrace it, and practice its precepts in their lives; compare the notes on Romans 2:9.
Wesley's 2-thessalonians 1:8 Bible Commentary
1:8 Taking vengeance - Does God barely permit this, or (as "the Lord" once "rained brimstone and fire from the Lord outof heaven," Genesis 19:24) does a fiery stream go forth from him for ever? Who know not God - (The root of all wickedness and misery) who remain in heathen ignorance. And who obey not - This refers chiefly to the Jews, who had heard the gospel.