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 while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? 6And you know what restrains him now, so that he will be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is removed. 8Then that lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will eliminate with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and false signs and wonders,

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

• the mysteryμυστήριονmustērion · mysteryG3466
• of lawlessnessἀνομίαanomia · lawlessnessG458
• is alreadyἤδηēdē · alreadyG2235
• at workἐνεργέωenergeō · be activeG1754
• onlyμόνονmonon · onlyG3440
• He who nowἄρτιarti · nowG737
• restrainsκατέχωkatechō · to hold back/fastG2722
• untilἕωςheōs · untilG2193
• removedἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• removedμέσοςmesos · midstG3319

Cross-references for 2 Thessalonians 2:7

• 1 Timothy 3:16Beyond question, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed 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 AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
• Acts 20:29I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
• Colossians 2:18Take care that no one keeps defrauding you of your prize by delighting in humility and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,
• 2 Timothy 2:17and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
• 1 John 2:18Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.
• 1 John 4:3and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and now it is already in the world.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:6And you know what restrains him now, so that he will be revealed in his 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