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

5Don’t you remember that I told you about these things when I was still with you? 6You know what it is that now holds him back, so that he will be revealed when his time comes. The mystery of this sin is already at work. But it cannot work effectively until the person now holding it back gets out of the way. 8Then the man of sin will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will destroy him by what he says. When the Lord Jesus comes, his appearance will put an end to this man. 9The man of sin will come with the power of Satan. He will use every kind of power, including miraculous and wonderful signs. But they will be 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 3:16The mystery that gives us our reverence for God is acknowledged to be great: He appeared in his human nature, was approved by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was announced throughout the nations, was believed in the world, and was taken to heaven in glory.
• Revelation 17:5A name was written on her forehead. The name was Mystery: Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and Detestable Things of the Earth.
• Acts 20:29I know that fierce wolves will come to you after I leave, and they won’t spare the flock.
• Colossians 2:18Let no one who delights in ⌞false⌟ humility and the worship of angels tell you that you don’t deserve a prize. Such a person, whose sinful mind fills him with arrogance, gives endless details of the visions he has seen.
• 2 Timothy 2:17and what they say will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like that.
• 1 John 2:18Children, it’s the end of time. You’ve heard that an antichrist is coming. Certainly, many antichrists are already here. That’s how we know it’s the end of time.
• 1 John 4:3But every person who doesn’t declare that Jesus Christ has come as a human has a spirit that isn’t from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist that you have heard is coming. That spirit is already in the world.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:6You know what it is that now holds him back, so that he will be revealed when his time comes.

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