2 Thessalonians 2:7 BSB

2 Thessalonians 2:7

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now restrains it will continue until he is taken out of the way.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.

KJV

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

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Commentary

4 voices

Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius

The Divine Institutes, Book 7, Chapter XV (325)

Therefore, as the end of this world approaches, the condition of human affairs must undergo a change, and through the prevalence of wickedness become worse; so that now these times of ours, in which iniquity and impiety have increased even to the highest degree, may be judged happy and almost golden in comparison of that incurable evil.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

(2.) This mystery of iniquity was gradually to arrive at its height; and so it was in effect that the universal corruption of doctrine and worship in the Romish church came in by degrees, and the usurpation of the bishops of Rome was gradual, not all at once; and thus the mystery of iniquity did the more easily, and almost insensibly, prevail.

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

For the mystery of iniquity - On the meaning of the word mystery, see the notes on Rom 11:25; compare 1Co 2:7; Eph 1:9; Eph 3:3; Col 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.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

"Judaism infecting Christianity is the fuel; the mystery of iniquity is the spark." "It is one and the same impurity diffusing itself over many ages" [BENGEL]. only he who now letteth will let--The italicized words are not in the Greek.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

15 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
τὸ	to	The	G3588 →
γὰρ	gar	for	G1063 →
μυστήριον	mustērion	mystery	G3466 →
ἤδη	ēdē	already	G2235 →
ἐνεργεῖται	energeitai	is working	G1754 →
τῆς	tēs	<the>	G3588 →
ἀνομίας,	anomias	of lawlessness,	G458 →
μόνον	monon	only [there is]	G3441 →
ὁ	ho	the [one]	G3588 →
κατέχων	katechōn	restraining [it]	G2722 →
ἄρτι	arti	at present	G737 →
ἕως	he'ōs	until	G2193 →
ἐκ	ek	out of	G1537 →
μέσου	mesou	[the] midst	G3319 →
γένηται·	genētai	he may be [gone];	G1096 →

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
1 John 2:18
Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.
leads to
- 2 John 1:7
  For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- 1 John 2:22
  Who is the liar, if it is not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son.
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- 1 John 4:3
  and 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 which is already in the world at this…
- Matthew 24:24
  For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
- Matthew 24:5
  For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
Through
1 John 4:3
and 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 which is already in the world at this…
leads to
- 1 John 2:18
  Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.
Through
Revelation 17:5
And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
leads to
- Revelation 18:2
  And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable…
- Revelation 14:8
  Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.”

Featured studies on this passage

On 2 Thessalonians 2:7

2 Thessalonians: the Study Guide

What now restrains (neuter, to katechon) and he who restrains (masculine, ho katechōn) must step aside before the mystery already at work can fully break out.

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