2 Thessalonians 2:11

For this cause. Or, “because of this,” that is, because of the unbelievers’ refusal to love and believe the truth. What follows is a result of their obdurate attitude.

God shall send. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “God sends”; that is, at the same time the “Wicked” one is flooding the world with his deceits (verses 8-10). At the final stage in world history here forecast, the unregenerate have clearly chosen lies in preference to truth, and have placed themselves beyond redemption. God therefore abandons them to the course of their choosing (see on Romans 1:18, 24). In the Scriptures God is often said to do that which He does not prevent (see on 1 Samuel 16:14; 2 Chronicles 18:18).

Strong delusion. Literally, “a working of error” (cf. on v. 9), that is, an operation that leads to the final error that results in irrevocable condemnation.

A lie. Rather, “the he,” that is, the crowning deception, when Satan impersonates Christ. There can be no worse lie than this, that the author of evil should pose as Christ, the Source of truth. Those who are deluded into thinking Satan to be Jesus are beyond redemption.