2 Thessalonians 2:10 kjv

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:10 nkjv

and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:10 niv

and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:10 esv

and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:10 nlt

He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.

2 Thessalonians 2 verses

2 Thessalonians 2 10 Meaning

This verse explains why certain individuals in the last days will fall prey to "all unrighteous deception" accompanying the "man of lawlessness" and ultimately perish. It states that their spiritual ruin is a direct consequence of their active and volitional refusal to "receive the love of the truth" which would have led to their salvation. Because they deliberately chose not to embrace God's saving truth with heartfelt affection, they become vulnerable to powerful spiritual delusion and are destined for destruction.

2 Thessalonians 2 10 Context

Second Thessalonians chapter 2 specifically addresses the coming of the "man of lawlessness" (Antichrist) and the sequence of events leading up to the "Day of the Lord" (Christ's second coming). The Thessalonian believers were distressed, mistakenly thinking this Day had already arrived, perhaps due to false teachings or misinterpretations of Paul's earlier letter. Paul clarifies that two key events must precede the Day of the Lord: the "falling away" or apostasy (rebellion) and the revelation of the "man of lawlessness." This man will work through "power, signs, and lying wonders," deceiving many. Verse 10 directly explains why certain people will succumb to this profound deception and perish: their prior rejection of the Gospel truth that offers salvation. The historical context reflects a young church grappling with eschatological timelines, vulnerable to spiritual anxiety and false doctrines, making Paul's instruction about spiritual discernment and holding fast to truth profoundly important.

2 Thessalonians 2 10 Word analysis

• and with all (Greek: ἐν πάσῃ - en pasē): This phrase emphasizes the complete and comprehensive nature of the "unrighteous deception." It indicates that the deception is pervasive, lacking no wicked means.
• unrighteous deception (Greek: ἀπάτῃ ἀδικίας - apatē adikias):
  • Apatē (deception/delusion) signifies an act or state of being misled, a fraudulent misleading. It’s an antithesis to genuine reality and truth.
  • Adikias (unrighteousness/injustice/wickedness) qualifies the deception. It is not mere error but deception that is inherently evil, contrary to God’s nature and righteousness. This points to its malicious origin and purpose, actively working against divine standards.
• among those who perish (Greek: τοῖς ἀπολλυμένοις - tois apollymenois): This refers to those who are "on their way to destruction" or "being destroyed." The participle indicates an ongoing state or process, highlighting that their spiritual ruin is a consequence of their choices. It signifies spiritual perdition and eternal separation from God.
• because (Greek: ἀνθ' ὧν - anth' hōn): This phrase denotes a strong causal link, meaning "in return for which," "because of which," or "for this very reason." It clearly states that the perishing is a direct consequence of their prior action (or inaction).
• they did not receive (Greek: οὐκ ἐδέξαντο - ouk edexanto):
  • Ouk (not) is a strong negation, emphasizing an outright refusal.
  • Edexanto (did receive, aorist tense) denotes a specific, completed act of refusal. This was a volitional and decisive choice not to welcome or accept something offered. It implies not just ignorance, but an active rejection.
• the love of the truth (Greek: τὴν ἀγάπην τῆς ἀληθείας - tēn agapēn tēs alētheias):
  • Agapēn refers to agape love—a profound, deep-seated, self-sacrificial love, characteristic of divine love. It implies not just intellectual assent to truth, but a deep affection, a heartfelt desire for, and commitment to, what is true.
  • Alētheias (truth) here primarily refers to the saving message of the Gospel, God's revelation concerning salvation in Christ. It stands in direct contrast to the "unrighteous deception."
  • The phrase as a whole means they lacked a genuine, profound affection for and devotion to God's revealed truth.
• that they might be saved (Greek: εἰς τὸ σωθῆναι αὐτούς - eis to sōthēnai autous): This is a purpose clause, indicating the intended outcome of receiving "the love of the truth." Their lack of love for truth prevented them from experiencing salvation.

2 Thessalonians 2 10 Bonus section

• Judicial Hardening: This verse, read in conjunction with the subsequent verse (2 Thes 2:11), illustrates a principle of divine judgment: those who stubbornly reject God's gracious offer of truth will, in His righteous judgment, be given over to a "strong delusion." It is not that God directly causes them to disbelieve but that He removes the restraint on their rebellious hearts, allowing their pre-existing inclination towards unrighteousness to lead them further into self-deception and ultimately, destruction.
• Volitional Nature: The emphasis on "they did not receive" highlights human responsibility. Their perishing is not an arbitrary act of God but a just consequence of their own free choice to reject the divine, saving truth that was presented to them.
• The "Truth": While "truth" can be a general concept, in this context, "the truth" refers preeminently to the Gospel message—the person and work of Jesus Christ as the unique means of salvation. To love the truth is to love Christ, who is "the truth" (Jn 14:6), and to embrace His Word.

2 Thessalonians 2 10 Commentary

Second Thessalonians 2:10 powerfully links the embrace of truth with salvation and the rejection of truth with spiritual destruction and susceptibility to deception. It reveals that the powerful deceptions accompanying the "man of lawlessness" are not indiscriminate but fall upon those who have already hardened their hearts against God's saving message. Their doom is self-inflicted; they did not receive the love of the truth, indicating a deliberate and sustained choice. This lack of genuine affection for truth renders them spiritually unprotected, preparing them to accept "the lie" because their hearts have already rejected the real thing. It underscores divine justice: God allows those who willfully reject His light to be further enveloped in the darkness of their chosen delusion. This principle serves as a profound warning: a casual or hostile attitude toward God's truth leaves one gravely vulnerable to destructive spiritual falsehoods.