2 Thessalonians 1 · Verse 8

2 Thessalonians 1:8

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Thessalonians 1:8, King James Version

2 Thessalonians 1:8 in other translations

BSBin blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
WEBpunishing those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus,
ASVrendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:
YLTin flaming fire, giving vengeance to those not knowing God, and to those not obeying the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ;
DARBYin flaming fire taking vengeance on those who know not God, and those who do not obey the glad tidings of our Lord Jesus Christ;
BBETo 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:
WebsterIn flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

What does 2 Thessalonians 1:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
8. In flaming fire--Greek, "In flame of fire"; or, as other oldest manuscripts read, "in fire of flame." This flame of fire accompanied His manifestation in the bush (Ex 3:2); also His giving of the law at Sinai (Ex 19:18). Also it shall accompany His revelation at His advent (Da 7:9, 10), symbolizing His own bright glory and His consuming vengeance against His foes (He 10:27; 12:29; 2Pe 3:7, 10). taking--literally, "giving" them, as their portion, "vengeance." know not God--the Gentiles primarily (Psa 79:6; Ga 4:8; 1Th 4:5); not of course those involuntarily not knowing God, but those wilfully not knowing Him, as Pharaoh, who might have known God if he would, but who boasted "I know not the Lord" (Ex 5:2); and as the heathen persecutors who might have known God by the preaching of those whom they persecuted. Secondarily, all who "profess to know God but in works deny Him" (Tit 1:16). obey not the gospel--primarily the unbelieving Jews (Ro 10:3, 16); secondarily, all who obey not the truth (Ro 2:8). Christ--omitted by some of the oldest manuscripts, and retained by others.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 8. In flaming fire. This is a circumstance which is not noticed in the account of his appearing in the parallel place in 1Thes 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, Marg., yielding. Gr., 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. Comp. Rom 12:19.

On them that know not God. On all who are strangers to him; that is, who are living in heathenish 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 practise its precepts in their lives. Comp. Rom 2:9.

(a) "flaming fire" Heb 10:27, 2Pet 3:7 (1) "taking" "yielding" (b) "vengeance" De 32:41,43 (c) "know not" Ps 79:6 (d) "that obey not" Rom 2:8

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 8 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

Religion, if worth anything, is worth every thing; and those have no religion, or none worth having, or know not how to value it, cannot find their hearts to suffer for it. We cannot by all our sufferings, any more than by our services, merit heaven; but by our patience under sufferings, we are prepared for the promised joy. Nothing more strongly marks a man for eternal ruin, than a spirit of persecution and enmity…

Read the full comment on 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 →

2 Thessalonians 1:8 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

διδόντοςdidontos{8} inflictingG1325
ἐκδίκησινekdikēsinvengeanceG1557
τοῖςtoison thoseG3588
μὴmēnotG3361
εἰδόσινeidosinknowing
θεὸνtheonGodG2316
καὶkaiandG2532
τοῖςtoison thoseG3588
μὴmēnotG3361
ὑπακούουσινhupakouousinobeyingG5219
τῷtōtheG3588
εὐαγγελίῳeuangeliōgospelG2098
τοῦtouof theG3588
κυρίουkuriouLordG2962
ἡμῶνhēmōnof usG3165
ἸησοῦIēsouJesusG2424
Χριστοῦ·ChristouChrist;G5547

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Thessalonians 1:8

  • 1 Peter 4:17

    For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

  • Hebrews 10:27

    But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

  • 2 Peter 3:7

    But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

  • Hebrews 10:30

    For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

  • 2 Peter 3:10-12

    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

  • Psalms 79:6

    Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

  • Hebrews 2:3

    How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

  • Matthew 25:41

    Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

  • Galatians 4:8

    Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

  • Revelation 20:14-15

    And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

  • Romans 6:16

    Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

  • Romans 2:7-8

    To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
flaming.
Ge 3:24; De 4:11; 5:5; Ps 21:8,9; 50:2-6; Da 7:10; Mt 25:41,46
Heb 10:27; 12:29; 2Pe 3:7,10-12; Re 20:10,14,15; 21:8
taking. or, yielding vengeance.
De 32:35,41,42; Ps 2:9-12; 94:1; Isa 61:2; 63:4-6; Heb 10:30
Re 6:10,16,17
that know.
Ex 5:2; 1Sa 2:12; Ps 9:10; 79:6; Isa 27:11; Jer 9:6; Zep 1:6
Joh 3:19; 8:19; Ro 1:28; 1Co 15:34; 1Th 4:5
and that.
De 4:30; Ps 18:44; Isa 1:19; Ac 6:7; Ro 1:5; 2:7,8; 6:16; 10:16; 15:18
Ro 16:26; 2Co 10:5; Ga 3:1; Heb 2:3; 5:9; 11:8; 1Pe 1:2; 3:6; 4:17

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:7

    And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:8

    In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:9

    Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Read all of 2 Thessalonians 1

2 Thessalonians 1:8 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		En llama de fuego, para dar el pago á los que no conocieron á Dios, ni obedecen al evangelio de nuestro Señor Jesucristo;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		en flammes de feu, exerçant la vengeance contre ceux qui ne connaissent pas Dieu, et contre ceux qui n’obéissent pas à l’évangile de notre seigneur Jésus Christ;
German
Elberfelder 1871		in flammendem Feuer, wenn er Vergeltung gibt denen, die Gott nicht kennen, und denen, die dem Evangelium unseres Herrn Jesus Christus nicht gehorchen;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		in flamma ignis dantis vindictam iis qui non noverunt Deum, et qui non obediunt Evangelio Domini nostri Jesu Christi,