Such as do wickedly. — In these verses are traced the effects of the apostasy upon the people of God. These persons have been already spoken of in Daniel 11:30. They had begun with indifference to true religion, they have now become intolerant of it.
Corrupt. — Literally, make profane. On the Hebrew notion of profanity, see Cheyne’s Isaiah, vol. 1, p. 3. These persons have now become as the heathen. (See 1Ma. 2:17-18.)
But the people.... — While the large mass of people becomes obedient to the persecutor, there is a party of true believers remaining, who are “strong,” or rather, confirm the covenant, and “do,” i.e., succeed in their attempt. That such a party existed in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes appears from 1Ma. 1:62, &c., 1MMalachi 2:3, &c. Similarly in all times of persecution there will be a remnant, though it may be very small. which will remain firm to their covenant with God. (Comp. 1 Kings 19:18.)