2 Thessalonians 2:4 kjv

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

2 Thessalonians 2:4 nkjv

who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

2 Thessalonians 2:4 niv

He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

2 Thessalonians 2:4 esv

who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

2 Thessalonians 2:4 nlt

He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.

2 Thessalonians 2 verses

2 Thessalonians 2 4 Meaning

The verse describes the man of lawlessness, an antichrist figure, who stands in opposition to all that is divine and exalted, positioning himself above all that is called god or worthy of worship. His ultimate act of rebellion is to occupy the Temple of God and publicly proclaim himself to be God, thereby demanding ultimate adoration and obedience from humanity. This action is the apex of blasphemy and the culmination of an unparalleled act of self-exaltation.

2 Thessalonians 2 4 Context

This verse is found within Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians, specifically in a section addressing a misunderstanding about the timing of the "Day of the Lord." The Thessalonian believers were distressed, thinking this significant eschatological event had already begun. Paul corrects this by stating that certain events must precede the Day of the Lord. These include a great "apostasy" (rebellion) and the revelation of "the man of lawlessness," also referred to as "the son of perdition." Verse 4 specifically describes the unparalleled blasphemous actions and audacious self-deification of this end-time figure, making it clear that such a monumental affront to God has not yet occurred, thus indicating the Day of the Lord had not yet come. The historical context reflects a young church susceptible to fear and false teaching regarding future events.

2 Thessalonians 2 4 Word analysis

• Who opposes (ὁ ἀντικείμενος - ho antikeimenos): Literally, "the one who sets himself against" or "the antagonist." This identifies the figure as fundamentally adversarial, standing in direct opposition to God and His will. It signifies an inherent conflictual nature.
• and exalts himself (καὶ ὑπεραιρόμενος - kai hyperairomenos): Implies rising high above, elevating oneself excessively. It denotes supreme arrogance and self-promotion beyond all bounds, contrasting with God's supreme authority and humility. This is an act of rebellious pride, akin to Satan's ambition.
• above every so-called god (ἐπὶ πάντα λεγόμενον θεὸν - epi panta legomenon theon): The phrase "so-called god" highlights that these other deities are not true gods but false ones, merely named as such. This figure doesn't just reject the true God but elevates himself above all false deities and objects of pagan worship as well, demonstrating a universal and ultimate claim to supremacy.
• or object of worship (ἢ σέβασμα - ē sebasma): Refers to anything revered, adored, or considered sacred; idols, images, or cultic objects that receive veneration. The Man of Lawlessness places himself above all such things, including emperor worship common in the Roman world.
• so that he takes his seat (ὥστε αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν ναὸν τοῦ θεοῦ καθίσαι - hōste auton eis ton naon tou theou kathisai): The Greek "kathisai" means to "sit down," implying taking a throne or seat of authority, not merely entering or standing. This signifies a usurpation of rightful authority, a deliberate enthronement in the place of God. The phrase "so that" (hōste) indicates the ultimate purpose or consequence of his exaltation.
• in the temple of God (εἰς τὸν ναὸν τοῦ θεοῦ - eis ton naon tou theou): The term naos specifically refers to the sanctuary, the inner shrine or holy place of the temple, not the broader temple complex (hieron). This is the sacred core, the dwelling place of God, or where God is worshiped. Its designation as "the Temple of God" by Paul likely points to a literal, future rebuilt Jewish temple, though some interpretations propose a symbolic "spiritual temple" (the church), which presents interpretive challenges given the nature of the desecration described.
• displaying himself as being God (ἀποδεικνύντα ἑαυτὸν ὅτι ἔστιν θεός - apodeiknynta heauton hoti estin theos): To "display oneself" is to demonstrate, declare, or prove something. This means an open, audacious declaration of his own deity, an undeniable and overt claim to be God Himself, not just an agent or prophet. It is the ultimate blasphemy, demanding divine worship for himself.

• "Who opposes and exalts himself": This grouping highlights the dual action of the figure: direct confrontation and active self-promotion. He is both against God and strives to replace Him.
• "above every so-called god or object of worship": This phrase underscores the comprehensive nature of his usurpation. He seeks not only to dethrone the true God but also to subordinate all other deities and religious reverence to himself. He aims for absolute, singular devotion.
• "so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God": This climax defines the specific act of sacrilege and self-deification. Taking his seat implies taking ownership and establishing a false cult where he is the supreme object of worship. This is a public and decisive act, meant to deceive and demand ultimate allegiance from humanity.

2 Thessalonians 2 4 Bonus section

The act described in 2 Th 2:4 is the ultimate expression of the "mystery of lawlessness" mentioned in verse 7. It signifies the fullest manifestation of rebellious human pride and satanic power. This figure’s claim to deity goes beyond mere imitation of Christ; it is a direct challenge to the exclusive prerogatives of God, fulfilling prophecies that depict an individual who will defy divine order and seek to establish a counter-divine authority. The choice of "temple of God" (naos tou theou) by Paul indicates a very specific and recognized holy site for the worship of the one true God, distinct from any general spiritual sense of a "church body." The precision of the language suggests a future literal event, setting it apart from any historical figure who may have persecuted Christians or demanded worship.

2 Thessalonians 2 4 Commentary

This verse graphically details the core identity and audacious actions of the "man of lawlessness" – a figure driven by profound spiritual pride and a desire to usurp the unique place of the Most High God. His opposition is not merely a rejection of God's authority, but an active campaign to place himself above every conceived divine entity or revered object. The phrase "so-called god" mocks the pretension of false idols, while simultaneously revealing the man of lawlessness's even greater, ultimate delusion of grandeur. His literal entry into "the Temple of God," specifically its holy sanctuary, marks a defilement of the most sacred space, mimicking and surpassing historical acts of desecration (such as Antiochus Epiphanes'). His public declaration of being "God" is the ultimate act of blasphemy, compelling a false worship that properly belongs only to the Creator. This makes him the anti-Yahweh, directly countering God's claim of singular deity and revealing the depths of human and satanic rebellion against the Almighty. This dramatic act serves as a definitive signpost, demonstrating that the Day of the Lord has not yet arrived, as such an unprecedented defilement has not yet occurred.