2 Thessalonians 2:7

2 Thessalonians 2:7 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
• New International Version (NIV)For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

Context of 2 Thessalonians 2:7

5Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I was telling you these things? 6And you know what restrains him now [from being revealed]; it is so that he will be revealed at his own [appointed] time. For the mystery of lawlessness [rebellion against divine authority and the coming reign of lawlessness] is already at work; [but it is restrained] only until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way. 8Then the lawless one [the Antichrist] will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and bring him to an end by the appearance of His coming. 9The coming of the [Antichrist, the lawless] one is through the activity of Satan, [attended] with great power [all kinds of counterfeit miracles] and [deceptive] signs and false wonders [all of them lies],

2 Thessalonians 2:7 word by word

τὸ γὰρ μυστήριον ἤδη ἐνεργεῖται τῆς ἀνομίας, μόνον ὁ κατέχων ἄρτι ἕως ἐκ μέσου γένηται·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• the mysteryμυστήριονmustērion · mysteryG3466
• of iniquityἀνομίαanomia · lawlessnessG458
• dothἐνεργέωenergeō · be activeG1754
• alreadyἤδηēdē · alreadyG2235
• onlyμόνονmonon · onlyG3440
• he whoκατέχωkatechō · to hold back/fastG2722
• nowἄρτιarti · nowG737
• untilἕωςheōs · untilG2193
• he be takenγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• out ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• the wayμέσοςmesos · midstG3319

Cross-references for 2 Thessalonians 2:7

• 1 Timothy 3:16And great, we confess, is the mystery [the hidden truth] of godliness: He (Jesus Christ) who was revealed in human flesh, Was justified and vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.
• Revelation 17:5And on her forehead a name was written, a mystery: “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES (false religions, heresies) AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
• Acts 20:29I know that after I am gone, [false teachers like] ferocious wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
• Colossians 2:18Let no one defraud you of your prize [your freedom in Christ and your salvation] by insisting on mock humility and the worship of angels, going into detail about visions [he claims] he has seen [to justify his authority], puffed up [in conceit] by his unspiritual mind,
• 2 Timothy 2:17and their teaching will spread like gangrene. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus,
• 1 John 2:18Children, it is the last hour [the end of this age]; and just as you heard that the antichrist is coming [the one who will oppose Christ and attempt to replace Him], even now many antichrists (false teachers) have appeared, which confirms our belief that it is the last hour.
• 1 John 4:3and every spirit that does not confess Jesus [acknowledging that He has come in the flesh, but would deny any of the Son’s true nature] is not of God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:6And you know what restrains him now [from being revealed]; it is so that he will be revealed at his own [appointed] time.

Commentaries on 2 Thessalonians 2:7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work - There is a system of corrupt doctrine, which will lead to the general apostasy, already in existence, but it is a mystery; it is as yet hidden; it dare not show itself, because of that which hindereth or withholdeth. But when that which now restraineth shall be taken out of the way, then shall that wicked one be revealed-it will then be manifest who he is, and what he is. See the observations at the end of…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7For the mystery of iniquity - On the meaning of the word mystery, see the notes on Romans 11:25; compare 1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:3; Colossians 1:26. It means properly what is hidden or concealed; not necessarily that which is unintelligible. The “mystery of iniquity” seems here to refer to some hidden or concealed depravity - some form of sin which was working secretly and silently, and which had not yet developed itself. Any secret…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-12Verses 5-12 Something hindered or withheld the man of sin. It is supposed to be the power of the Roman empire, which the apostle did not mention more plainly at that time. Corruption of doctrine and worship came in by degrees, and the usurping of power was gradual; thus the mystery of iniquity prevailed. Superstition and idolatry were advanced by pretended devotion, and bigotry and persecution were promoted by pretended zeal for God and his glory. This…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7The power of the coming man of lawlessness is already at work in secret, similar to the antichrists in 1 John 2:18 (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3–6). the mystery (Greek mustērion): This term is often used for ceremonies in mystery religions (see 2 Thessalonians 2:6). at work: This suggests a spiritual intervention, whether divine or evil (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Ephesians 2:2). the one who now restrains: This might be someone opposing the man…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. the mystery of iniquity--the counterwork to "the mystery of godliness" (1Ti 3:16). Anti-Christianity latently working, as distinguished from its final open manifestation. "Mystery" in Scripture means, not what remains always a secret, but that which is for a while hidden, but in due time manifested (compare Ep 3:4, 5). Satan will resort to a mode of opposition more conformed to the then imminent "appearing" and "presence" of the Saviour, and will…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Thessalonians 2:7

• Antichrist
• Mysteries
• Reprobacy

In the dictionaries

• Deceivableness
• Let
• Man of sin
• Mystery
• Shake
• Tradition
• Antichrist
• Apostolic Age
• Ephesians, Epistle to the
• Eschatology of the New Testament

Commentaries on 2 Thessalonians 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings