2 Thessalonians 2:6 kjv

And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

2 Thessalonians 2:6 nkjv

And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.

2 Thessalonians 2:6 niv

And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time.

2 Thessalonians 2:6 esv

And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.

2 Thessalonians 2:6 nlt

And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes.

2 Thessalonians 2 verses

2 Thessalonians 2 6 Meaning

Second Thessalonians 2:6 conveys a pivotal truth regarding the sequence of end-time events. It states that the Thessalonian believers possessed a current understanding of "what is restraining" the revelation of the "man of lawlessness" (or "son of perdition") until God's divinely appointed time for his unveiling. This verse assures them that a power or entity is actively preventing the premature appearance of this ultimate opponent of Christ, maintaining order in the unfolding of prophetic history.

2 Thessalonians 2 6 Context

Second Thessalonians Chapter 2 addresses the Thessalonians' anxiety and confusion regarding the Day of the Lord (the Parousia or return of Christ). False teaching or misinterpretations had led them to believe that the Day of the Lord had already arrived (v. 2), causing distress. Paul writes to correct this misunderstanding and to assure them.

In verses 1-3, Paul clarifies that two primary events must occur before the Day of the Lord: first, "the falling away" (ἀποστασία - apostasia, a rebellion or defection from faith), and second, the revelation of "the man of lawlessness" (ὁ ἄνθρωπος τῆς ἀνομίας - ho anthrōpos tēs anomias), also called "the son of perdition." This man is depicted as one who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, ultimately taking his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God (v. 4).

Verse 6, therefore, reminds the believers of what they already know: that something or someone is actively "restraining" this man of lawlessness, preventing his revelation. This is crucial for their peace of mind, as it confirms that God is sovereignly orchestrating events and the "man of lawlessness" cannot appear until God's set timing, once the restrainer is removed (v. 7). This passage emphasizes God's control over eschatological events, offering comfort against alarmist teachings. The historical context indicates that early believers sometimes struggled with discerning prophetic timelines, making Paul's clarification vital for their perseverance and discernment.

2 Thessalonians 2 6 Word analysis

• And now (Καὶ νῦν - Kai nyn): A transition marker, indicating a continuation or an appeal to present knowledge. It emphasizes that this information is currently relevant and known to them.
• you know (οἴδατε - oidate): From the verb oida, meaning "to know by perception" or "to have ascertained." It suggests a familiar, established understanding, perhaps from Paul's previous teaching (as suggested in 2 Thess 2:5, "Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?"). It implies an internal, personal knowledge, not just head knowledge.
• what is restraining (τὸ κατέχον - to katechon): This is a neuter, singular present active participle.
  • τὸ (to): The neuter definite article "the."
  • κατέχον (katechon): From katechō, meaning "to hold down," "hold back," "restrain," "detain," "occupy," or "possess." In this context, it clearly denotes an active holding back or hindering. The use of the neuter article "tó" with the participle katechon can suggest "the thing which restrains" or "the power that restrains," a principle or an institution. This is critically distinguished from the masculine "ὁ κατέχων" (ho katechōn - "he who restrains") in verse 7. This change is often interpreted to mean the general principle or system of restraint is followed by the specific embodiment or agent of that restraint.
• that he may be revealed (εἰς τὸ ἀποκαλυφθῆναι αὐτόν - eis to apokalyphthēnai auton): A purpose clause, explaining the why of the restraining.
  • εἰς τὸ (eis to): A common Greek idiom for "in order that" or "with a view to."
  • ἀποκαλυφθῆναι (apokalyphthēnai): An aorist passive infinitive of apokalyptō, meaning "to uncover," "unveil," "disclose," or "reveal." It implies a decisive, complete unveiling, an act of God. The passive voice indicates that the revelation of the man of lawlessness will happen to him—he will be unveiled by an external force (God's decree).
  • αὐτόν (auton): "him," referring back to "the man of lawlessness" in verse 3.
• in his own time (ἐν τῷ ἑαυτοῦ καιρῷ - en tō heautou kairō): This phrase emphasizes the sovereign timing of God.
  • ἐν (en): "in" or "at."
  • τῷ ἑαυτοῦ (tō heautou): "his own" or "its own," referring to the man of lawlessness, but understood within the divine predetermination. It implies a divinely appointed moment for this revelation.
  • καιρῷ (kairō): From kairos, signifying an "appointed time," an "opportune moment," or "a season" with qualitative significance, distinct from chronos (chronological time). It indicates a strategic, pre-determined time in God's plan, not merely a lapse of time.

2 Thessalonians 2 6 Bonus section

The cryptic nature of the "restrainer" has led to centuries of discussion. Paul might have intentionally obscured the identity to avoid provoking the Roman authorities (if the Empire was the restrainer) or to simply reiterate previous verbal teaching (as implied in 2 Thess 2:5) without explicitly repeating it in a letter that might fall into hostile hands. The distinction between "τὸ κατέχον" (the thing restraining, neuter) in verse 6 and "ὁ κατέχων" (the one restraining, masculine) in verse 7 is often seen as highly significant, pointing perhaps to a shift from a general force (like order or law) to a specific agent (like a person or entity embodying that restraint). This ambiguity forces a theological focus on God's overarching sovereignty rather than fixation on the exact timing or identity. This passage acts as a direct polemic against any Gnostic-like belief among some Christians that divine revelation was immediate and entirely spiritual, emphasizing that physical, observable events must first precede the full Day of the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 2 6 Commentary

Second Thessalonians 2:6 is a succinct yet profound statement, anchoring eschatological hope and clarity amidst confusion. The key interpretational challenge revolves around the identity of the "restrainer" (τὸ κατέχον), which remains unnamed, likely for prudent reasons. Numerous scholarly perspectives propose:

1. The Holy Spirit: As the Spirit indwells believers and convicts the world of sin, His pervasive work (perhaps removed or His active restraint withdrawn) is seen as holding back the full manifestation of lawlessness.
2. The Roman Empire/Governing Authorities: In Paul's day, the Roman Empire was the prevailing force maintaining civil order and suppressing rebellion. Once this political stability collapses, or its authority is removed, true lawlessness could emerge. This aligns with Romans 13's teaching on rulers restraining evil.
3. The Church: As salt and light, the Church, through its witness and presence, actively delays evil. Its "removal" (perhaps in a pre-tribulation rapture or simply a decrease in its restraining influence) would allow lawlessness to peak.
4. A Principle of Divine Order: Rather than a specific entity, "what is restraining" might represent God's inherent, active providence in the world, ensuring that human evil cannot reach its climax until His sovereign will dictates.

Regardless of the precise identity of the restrainer, the core message of 2 Thessalonians 2:6 is assurance: the rise of ultimate lawlessness is not arbitrary but precisely timed by God. The restrainer functions as a divine check, ensuring that events unfold according to the predetermined kairos. This divine orchestration provides comfort, emphasizing that the "man of lawlessness" cannot appear before his appointed time, which requires the prior removal of this restraining force. Therefore, the Thessalonians should not fear that the Day of the Lord has come or is immediately upon them; there are definite precursors still at play. This also reminds believers of God's sovereignty even in the face of escalating evil.

For practical application, this verse encourages believers not to succumb to fear or alarm regarding end-time speculation but to rest in God's providential control. It emphasizes the ongoing presence of divine and/or human agencies that maintain order in the world, preventing total chaos, and thus encouraging prayer for and participation in such restraining forces (e.g., support for just governance, living righteously as salt and light).