Fragment on the Second Letter to the Thessalonians · §1 · Gennadius of Constantinople

The appointed time and the removal of the boundary

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Gennadius is commenting on 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8, explaining when and how the lawless one will be revealed.

Gennadius writes: But when the end of God's appointed time arrives, and the boundary that now restrains the lawless one is removed, its purpose fulfilled, then the lawless one will be revealed promptly and without any delay.

Greek

2 Thess 2,78 Ὅταν μέντοι τὸ πέρας ἐπιστῇ τῆς τοῦ θεοῦ προθεσμίας, καὶ ὁ νῦν κατέχων αὐτὸν ὅρος ἐκστῇ πληρωθείς, ἑτοίμως τότε καὶ δίχα πάσης ἀναβολῆς ὁ ἄνομος ἀποκαλυφθήσεται.

About this text

A few lines on 2 Thessalonians 2: the lawless one will appear at once when God's set time ends and what holds him back is removed.

Gennadius of Constantinople wrote this short commentary fragment on part of the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians. He served as Patriarch of Constantinople and was known for careful, literal study of Scripture. Only a few pieces of his commentaries on the letters of Paul survive, and this is one of them.

The fragment explains a passage about the lawless one whose public appearance is being held back. Gennadius says that when God's appointed time reaches its end, and the present boundary that restrains is removed because it has been fulfilled, then the lawless one will be revealed immediately and without any delay.

A reader should know that the text comments on the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians, chapter 2, verses 7 and 8. The key terms are rendered here as the lawless one, what now restrains, boundary, appointed time, and will be revealed. The source notation for the verses appears irregular, and this translation notes that rather than silently correcting it.

Printed text used

Translated from PG 85 (Greek)

This work has passed this project's source check. This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.