2 Thessalonians 2:12 kjv
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2 Thessalonians 2:12 nkjv
that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2 Thessalonians 2:12 niv
and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
2 Thessalonians 2:12 esv
in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2 Thessalonians 2:12 nlt
Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.
2 Thessalonians 2 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 3:18 | "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe..." | Unbelief leads to condemnation. |
| Jn 3:19 | "...men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." | Preference for darkness over truth. |
| Rom 1:18 | "...the wrath of God is revealed...against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth..." | Wrath against those suppressing truth. |
| Rom 1:25 | "...exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator..." | Exchange truth for a lie. |
| Rom 1:28 | "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind..." | God's judicial handing over for rejecting knowledge. |
| Rom 2:8 | "...for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath." | Disobeying truth and obeying unrighteousness brings wrath. |
| Rom 1:32 | "...who, knowing the righteous judgment of God...not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." | Approving of unrighteousness leads to judgment. |
| Ps 5:4 | "For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness..." | God does not delight in evil, implies opposition. |
| Ps 36:4 | "He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way that is not good..." | Devising and pursuing wickedness. |
| Prov 10:23 | "To do evil is like sport for a fool..." | Folly in delighting in evil. |
| Isa 5:13 | "Therefore My people have gone into captivity, Because they have no knowledge..." | Destruction for lack of knowledge. |
| Hos 4:6 | "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." | Lack of divine knowledge leading to destruction. |
| Matt 25:41 | "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire..." | Final judgment and eternal condemnation. |
| Heb 10:26 | "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins," | Willful sin after knowing truth, no remedy. |
| 1 Jn 1:6 | "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth." | Walking in darkness is not walking in truth. |
| 1 Jn 2:21 | "...no lie is of the truth." | Lies are fundamentally antithetical to truth. |
| Eph 4:21 | "...indeed the truth is in Jesus..." | Jesus as the embodiment of truth. |
| Acts 13:46 | "...it was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life..." | Rejection of God's Word leads to self-condemnation. |
| Gal 6:7 | "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." | Reaping what is sown. |
| Rev 20:12 | "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened...and the dead were judged..." | General judgment according to works. |
| 2 Th 2:10 | "...because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved." | Preceding context: cause of perishing. |
| 2 Th 2:11 | "And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie," | Preceding context: God's judicial delusion. |
| 1 Cor 13:6 | "love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;" | Love's character, contrasts unrighteousness with truth. |
| 1 Cor 6:9-10 | "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?" | Unrighteousness precludes inheriting the Kingdom. |
| Titus 1:16 | "They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work." | Denial of God through unrighteous works. |
2 Thessalonians 2 verses
2 Thessalonians 2 12 Meaning
This verse declares the divinely purposed outcome for those previously described in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11: their condemnation. It states that all who consciously reject God's revealed truth and instead find satisfaction or approval in unrighteousness will face judgment. The condemnation is not arbitrary but a just consequence of their willful choices – both their active refusal to believe the truth and their positive delight in living contrary to God's righteous standards.
2 Thessalonians 2 12 Context
2 Thessalonians chapter 2 addresses the church's confusion regarding the timing of the Lord's return and the accompanying events. Paul clarifies that the "Day of the Lord" will not come until the "apostasy" (rebellion) occurs and the "man of lawlessness" is revealed. This lawless one will work with Satanic power, performing false miracles to deceive those who are perishing. The immediate verses (10-11) explain why these individuals are susceptible to such deception: they "did not receive the love of the truth." As a judicial act, God "sends them a strong delusion" so "they should believe the lie." Verse 12 then concludes this sequence, outlining the final outcome of such spiritual rebellion – condemnation for those who actively refuse truth and embrace wickedness. This condemnation is a just consequence of their willful rejection of saving truth and their deliberate choice to delight in unrighteousness, demonstrating their moral culpability.
2 Thessalonians 2 12 Word analysis
- that (ἵνα, hina): A Greek particle typically indicating purpose, intention, or result. Here, it signifies the direct, intended outcome or divine purpose following God's action in sending the delusion (v. 11). It highlights the definitive and just nature of the consequence.
- they all (πάντες, pantes): Emphasizes universality within the specified group. It signifies that every single individual described by the subsequent qualifications will be subjected to the stated judgment, underscoring no exceptions for this category of people.
- may be condemned (κριθῶσιν, krithōsin): From krino, meaning "to judge, decide, distinguish," but in this context, where guilt and divine action are clear, it carries the strong meaning of "to condemn" or "to sentence." The passive voice implies this condemnation is imposed upon them, specifically by God, as a righteous judicial act.
- who did not believe (μὴ πιστεύσαντες, mē pisteusantes): Literally, "the not-believed-ones." The negative particle mē alongside the aorist participle pisteusantes denotes a decisive, willful, and complete act of rejecting belief. It signifies not merely a lack of understanding or ignorance, but a deliberate and active refusal to accept the truth of God's saving message (the gospel) that was presented to them.
- the truth (τῇ ἀληθείᾳ, tē alētheia): Refers to the divine revelation of God, especially the gospel of Jesus Christ (Jn 14:6; Eph 1:13). This "truth" is objective, salvific, and requires a response of faith. Their rejection is of ultimate reality revealed by God. This implies a clear presentation of the truth that was ignored or actively spurned.
- but (ἀλλὰ, alla): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a sharp contrast or antithesis. It sets up a direct opposition between their refusal of truth and their embrace of unrighteousness, demonstrating a moral inversion.
- had pleasure in (εὐδοκήσαντες, eudokēsantes): From eudokeo, meaning "to be well pleased with," "to take delight in," or "to approve of." This is a significant choice of word, indicating not just an occasional stumble into sin, but an inner disposition, a settled preference, and a volitional enjoyment of what is contrary to God. It suggests active consent and affinity for unrighteousness, confirming moral culpability (Rom 1:32).
- unrighteousness (τῇ ἀδικίᾳ, tē adikia): Signifies injustice, wickedness, and anything that is contrary to God's righteous nature and holy law. It encapsulates all moral wrong and ethical deviance from God's perfect standard. Their delight in adikia stands in stark contrast to God's delight in righteousness and implies a profound rebellion of heart and life.
Words-Group analysis
- "that they all may be condemned": This phrase underlines the definitive and universal nature of the judgment awaiting those fitting the subsequent description. It's a divine verdict that applies equally to every individual who makes these choices.
- "who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness": This forms a dual condition defining the condemned. It reveals their culpable state through two intertwined moral failings: a negative refusal ("did not believe the truth") and a positive affirmation ("had pleasure in unrighteousness"). Their condemnation stems not from ignorance, but from an active rejection of divine light and a willful embrace of spiritual darkness and moral decay. This clearly establishes the justice of their condemnation by highlighting their willful actions.
2 Thessalonians 2 12 Bonus section
- The phrase "love of the truth" in v. 10 (which they lacked) provides essential background to "did not believe the truth" in v. 12. Their issue wasn't just a factual disbelief, but a fundamental lack of affection for what is right and godly, setting the stage for their embrace of falsehood and unrighteousness.
- The condemnation is not punitive without prior willful human action; it is a just consequence. This emphasizes the biblical teaching of human moral responsibility and accountability for choices concerning God's revelation.
- The Greek words underscore the severity: eudokēsantes (delighted in) portrays a deep, inner moral corruption, more than just occasional transgression, reflecting a settled preference for wickedness.
2 Thessalonians 2 12 Commentary
2 Thessalonians 2:12 functions as the culmination of the preceding verses, detailing the just judgment on those who reject divine truth. It reveals God's ultimate justice, where the condemnation is directly tied to human culpability. The two reasons for condemnation are critical: first, their deliberate unbelief in "the truth," which points to the comprehensive reality of God's gospel and revelation, particularly in Christ. This is not simply a lack of intellectual assent, but a profound rejection of salvation. Second, and perhaps even more revealing of their character, is their active "pleasure in unrighteousness." This isn't merely stumbling into sin, but finding satisfaction, joy, or approval in actions and attitudes that are contrary to God's nature. It reflects a heart that prefers darkness to light, aligning with the deceiver's ways rather than God's. Thus, God's "strong delusion" (v. 11) is a judicial act, hardening those who have already chosen hardness, confirming them in their path towards a deserved condemnation.