Gr. olethros aiōnios. For the meaning of olethros see on 1 Thess. 5:3; for the significance of aiōnios see on Matt. 25:41. The juxtaposition of the two words accurately describes the eventual fate of those who reject the Lord‘s mercies. All such will finally be destroyed, not temporarily, with a resurrection later, but with a destruction from which there will be no awakening. Paul‘s words preclude any idea of eternal torment (see on Matt. 3:12; 5:22).

 Literally, “from the face of the Lord.” The phrase conveys the thought of separation from the Lord. Just as the summit of bliss for the righteous is to dwell in the presence of the Lord (Matt. 5:8; Rev. 22:4), so, at the other end of the scale, the worst part of the punishment of the wicked will be their exclusion from the divine presence. On earth, they have spurned their opportunities to know the Lord (cf. on 2 Thess. 1:8), but at the end, when it is too late, they will realize the value of the privileges they have rejected.

 It should be noted that Paul is not distinguishing between the comings of Christ before and after the millennium, but is comprehending the two as one grand event. The death of the wicked at the beginning of the millennium is followed, a thousand years later, by their resurrection, when they will be cast into the lake of fire and burned up (see Mal. 4:1-3; see on Rev. 20:5, 15). Since Paul is speaking of “everlasting destruction,” it is not correct to refer to this passage as evidence that the wicked are destroyed at the second coming of Christ (see on Rev. 20:3).

 Or, “glory of his might,” that is, the glory that emanates from Christ‘s strength (see on John 1:14), which is manifested in His saving the saints and destroying the wicked.