John Calvin Commentary 2 Thessalonians 2:10

"and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." — 2 Thessalonians 2:10 (ASV)

In those that perish. He limits the power of Satan, as unable to injure the elect of God, just as Christ also exempts them from this danger (Matthew 24:24). From this it appears that Antichrist has no great power except by His permission. Now, this consolation was necessary. For all the pious, without this, would necessarily be overpowered with fear if they saw a yawning gulf pervading the whole path along which they must pass. Hence Paul, although he may want them to be anxious so that they may be on their guard, lest through excessive carelessness they should fall back, or even throw themselves into ruin, nevertheless bids them cherish good hope, since Satan’s power is bridled, so that he cannot involve any but the wicked in ruin.

Because they did not receive the love. So that the wicked should not complain that they perish innocently, and that they have been appointed to death from God's cruelty rather than from any fault of their own, Paul shows on what good grounds such severe vengeance from God is to come upon them — because they have not received the truth presented to them with the attitude they should have; indeed, they willingly refused salvation.

And from this, what I have already stated appears more clearly — that the gospel needed to be preached to the world before God would give Satan so much permission, for He would never have allowed His temple to be so shamefully profaned if He had not been provoked by extreme ingratitude from men.

In short, Paul declares that Antichrist will be the minister of God’s righteous vengeance against those who, being called to salvation, have rejected the gospel, and have preferred to turn their minds to impiety and errors. Hence there is no reason why Papists should now object that it conflicts with the mercy of Christ to cast off His Church in this manner. For though the domination of Antichrist has been cruel, none have perished but those who were deserving of it; indeed, they willingly chose death (Proverbs 8:36).

And unquestionably, while the voice of the Son of God has sounded forth everywhere, it finds men's ears deaf, and even obstinate. While a profession of Christianity is common, there are, nevertheless, few who have truly and heartily given themselves to Christ. Hence it is no wonder if similar vengeance quickly follows such a criminal contempt.

It is asked whether the punishment of blindness falls only on those who have deliberately rebelled against the gospel. I answer that this special judgment, by which God has avenged open defiance, does not prevent Him from striking down with stupidity, whenever He sees fit, those who have never heard a single word about Christ. For Paul does not speak generally about the reasons why God has from the beginning permitted Satan to roam freely with his falsehoods, but rather about the horrible vengeance that awaits flagrant despisers of new and previously unaccustomed grace.

He uses the expression receiving the love of the truth to mean applying one's mind to the love of it. Hence we learn that faith is always joined with a sweet and voluntary reverence for God, because we do not truly believe the word of God unless it is lovely and pleasant to us.