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 Living Translation (NLT)For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.

Context of 2 Thessalonians 2:7

5Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 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. 8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying 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

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 without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
• Revelation 17:5And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
• Acts 20:29For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
• Colossians 2:18Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
• 2 Timothy 2:17And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,
• 1 John 2:18Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.
• 1 John 4:3and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:6And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own 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