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I. THE AUTHOR. God is not and cannot be the cause of evil. The avenger of sin cannot be the author of it. With sin as sin God has nothing to do, but with sin as a punishment of sin God has to do.

1. To understand this concurrence we must not say —

(1) Too much, lest we leave a stain on the Divine glory. He infuses no sin, and conveys no deceit; these belong not to God but to man or Satan.

(2) Nor too little as that God's judgments of blindness of mind (John 12:39, 40), and hardness of heart (Exodus 4:21), are simply said to be so because foreseen, or inevitable, or barely permitted. Besides all this there is a judicial sentence which is seconded by an active providence.

2. God's concurrence may be thus stated.

(1) His withdrawal of the light and direction of His Spirit (Deuteronomy 29:4). A greyhound held in by a slip runneth violently after the hare when it is in sight; as soon as the slip is taken away the restraint is gone, and his unbred disposition carries him. So men that are greedy of worldly things are powerfully drawn into errors countenanced by the world, when God takes off the restraint of His grace. In this God is not to be blamed. Voluntary blindness brings penal blindness; and because men will not see they shall not.

(2) His delivering them up to the power of Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4) as the executioner of His curse (1 Chronicles 21:1, cf. 2 Samuel 24:1). Temptations come from the devil, but they are governed by God for holy ends (1 Kings 22:22).

(3) His raising up such instruments and objects as meeting with a naughty heart do blind it.

(a) Instruments (Job 12:16; Ezekiel 14:9). For man's ingratitude God raises up false prophets to seduce them that delight in lies rather than in the truths of God.

(b) Objects (Jeremiah 6:21). If we will find the sin, God will find the occasion. If Judas will sell his Master, he shall not want chapmen to bargain with him.

II. THE DEGREE OR KIND OF PUNISHMENT. "Strong delusion," the prevalency of which is seen in —

1. The absurdity of the errors.

(1) Adoration of images (Psalm 115:8; Isaiah 44:9-20).

(2) The invocation of saints, a thing against reason, because they are out of the reach of our commerce, and against Scripture which always directs us to God by one Mediator, Christ.

(3) Works of supererogation (Luke 17:10).

2. The obstinacy wherewith they cleave to them. In spite of Scripture, reason, and evidence of truth, they still cry the opinion of the Church and their forefathers; like the Jews, who denied the clearest matter of fact (John 8:33; Jeremiah 44:16-19).

3. The efficacy of the causes.

(1)  The withholding of Scripture.

(2)  Gain and ambition (Acts 16:19-21, 25).

(3)  Pride and prejudice which will not disavow a welcome error or acknowledge an unwelcome truth.

III. THE EFFECT. The belief of a lie.

1. The object: a lie, that is either —

(1)  False doctrines (1 Timothy 4:2).

(2)  False miracles in their legends.

(3)  False calumnies against Protestants.

2. The act: given up to believe a lie. Some are doubtful, some almost persuaded, some espouse the common prevailing opinions, some adhere to them with much false zeal and superstition.

IV. THE USES.

1. Information.

(1) To show us the reason why so many learned men are captivated by Antichrist — the delusions of Satan. Four causes may be given.

(a) Self-confidence. God will show the folly of those who depend on the strength of their own wit (Proverbs 3:5, 6; 1 Corinthians 1:19).

(b) Prejudice. The priests and scribes could readily tell that Christ was to be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:4-6), yet who more obstinate against Him who was born there?

(c) Pride. Many Jews believed on Christ, but would not profess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue (John 12:42, 43).

(d) The judgment of God. (Luke 19:41, 42).

(2) To show us that the prevalency of this wicked one is no blemish to providence; for permission of Him is one of God's dreadful dispensations. Hereby God would show us —

(a) That there are deceits and errors as well as truth in the world, much of choice, not chance.

(b) That although it is a great evil to be deceivers, it will not excuse us if we are deceived (Matthew 15:14).

(c) What need there is to pray not to be led into temptation.

(d) To fear to slight the grace offered (Deuteronomy 28:28).

2. Of caution to take heed of spiritual infatuation that this judgment fall not on us. Take heed —

(1)  Of sinning against the light (James 4:17).

(2)  Of hypocrisy in the profession of the truth (Proverbs 26:26).

(3)  Of pride and carnal self-sufficiency (2 Chronicles 32:31).

(4)  Of following the rabble (John 4:20; Proverbs 24:13, 14).

(T. Manton, D. D.)

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KJV: And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

WEB: Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie;