2 Thessalonians 1:8

“In flaming fire, &c.] Which may either refer to Christ, who will be revealed from heaven in such a manner; and whose coming will be as the lightning, not only sudden, but glorious, illustrious, and visible; he will be seen and easily discerned; there will be such a light and flaming fire about him, which, as it will serve to make him visible, will greatly add to the majesty of his appearance, and strike terror to his enemies, and burn them up round about; (see <270707>Daniel 7:7,9,10 <199703>Psalm 97:3,4) or else it may refer to the angels, who shall descend in fiery forms, which is agreeably to their nature, (<19A404>Psalm 104:4) and so they appeared in the forms of horses of fire, and…”

“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 (Exo 3:2); also His giving of the law at Sinai (Exo 19:18). Also it shall accompany His revelation at His advent (Dan 7:9-10), symbolizing His own bright glory and His consuming vengeance against His foes (Heb 10:27; Heb 12:29; Pe2 3:7, Pe2 3:10). taking--literally, "giving" them, as their portion, "vengeance." know not God--the Gentiles primarily (Psa 79:6; Gal 4:8; Th1 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…”

“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.…”

“Taking vengeance - Does God barely permit this, or (as "the Lord" once "rained brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven," Gen 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. 2 Thessalonians 1:9”

“flaming: Gen 3:24; Deu 4:11, Deu 5:5; Psa 21:8, Psa 21:9, Psa 50:2-6; Dan 7:10; Mat 25:41, Mat 25:46; Heb 10:27, Heb 12:29; Pe2 3:7, Pe2 3:10-12; Rev 20:10, Rev 20:14, Rev 20:15, Rev 21:8 taking: or, yielding vengeance, Deu 32:35, Deu 32:41, Deu 32:42; Psa 2:9-12, Psa 94:1; Isa 61:2, Isa 63:4-6; Heb 10:30; Rev 6:10, Rev 6:16, Rev 6:17 that know: Exo 5:2; Sa1 2:12; Psa 9:10, Psa 79:6; Isa 27:11; Jer 9:6; Zep 1:6; Joh 3:19, Joh 8:19; Rom 1:28; Co1 15:34; Th1 4:5 and that: Deu 4:30; Psa 18:44; Isa 1:19; Act 6:7; Rom 1:5, Rom 2:7, Rom 2:8, Rom 6:16, Rom 10:16, Rom 15:18; Rom 16:26; Co2 10:5; Gal 3:1; Heb 2:3, Heb 5:9, Heb 11:8; Pe1 1:2, Pe1 3:6, Pe1 4:17 2 Thessalonians 1:9”