2 Thessalonians 2:7 kjv

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

2 Thessalonians 2:7 nkjv

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

2 Thessalonians 2:7 niv

For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.

2 Thessalonians 2:7 esv

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.

2 Thessalonians 2:7 nlt

For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.

2 Thessalonians 2 verses

2 Thessalonians 2 7 Meaning

2 Thessalonians 2:7 reveals that a deep, spiritual rebellion against God’s law, termed "the mystery of lawlessness," is already active in the world, though hidden in its full manifestation. This force is being suppressed by a powerful "restrainer." The verse teaches that the full unveiling and working of this lawlessness, culminating in the "Man of Lawlessness," cannot occur until this restraining power is removed from its present sphere of operation. It speaks to a divine timing and an ongoing struggle between the forces of good and evil, with God maintaining ultimate control even over the progression of evil.

2 Thessalonians 2 7 Context

The immediate context of 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is Paul's detailed explanation regarding the "Day of the Lord" (2 Thess 2:2) to clarify a misunderstanding among the Thessalonian believers. They were seemingly disturbed by false reports or letters claiming that this Day, and perhaps the return of Christ, had already occurred. Paul reassures them by explaining that two specific events must precede the Day of the Lord: "the rebellion" (ἀποστασία, apostasia - a great falling away or apostasy) and the revelation of "the man of lawlessness" (2 Thess 2:3), also known as the "son of destruction."

Verse 7 clarifies why this Man of Lawlessness has not yet been revealed, even though the spirit of lawlessness is already present. There is a restraining power currently active, preventing its full manifestation. This passage served to correct their eschatological anxiety by establishing a clear divine sequence of events. The historical context indicates that the Thessalonian church was relatively new, grappling with persecutions, and vulnerable to misunderstanding end-time prophecies, hence Paul's precise instruction to settle their minds.

2 Thessalonians 2 7 Word analysis

• For (γάρ, gar): A conjunction indicating a reason or explanation for the preceding statement (about why the Man of Lawlessness has not yet been revealed).
• the mystery (τὸ μυστήριον, to mystērion): From the Greek mystērion, referring not to something mysterious or unknowable, but to a "sacred secret" or a truth previously hidden but now being, or soon to be, revealed by God. This indicates a divine program or secret operation related to lawlessness. It's a truth understood by God's insight.
• of lawlessness (τῆς ἀνομίας, tēs anomias): From the Greek anomia, meaning "without law," "lawbreaking," or "wickedness." More than just general sin or criminality, it specifically refers to active defiance and rebellion against God's established moral and divine law. This isn't just chaotic evil but a systematic, hidden, spiritual force contrary to God's will.
• is already working (ἐνεργεῖται ἤδη, energeitai ēdē):
  • is working (energeitai): The verb is energeō (to be at work, active, effective). It's in the middle/passive voice, indicating an ongoing internal operation or activity, or being "worked" or "at work." This suggests that the principle or spirit of lawlessness is not a future development but an inherent, subtle force already operating in the world, influencing human society and rebellion, even though its ultimate personification is yet to come.
  • already (ēdē): Emphasizes the present reality and subtle influence of this mystery, contrasting it with the future, overt manifestation of the Man of Lawlessness.
• Only he who now restrains (μόνον ὁ κατέχων ἄρτι, monon ho katechōn arti):
  • Only (monon): Limits the operation of lawlessness to the presence of this single factor.
  • he who now restrains (ho katechōn arti):
    • He who (ho): The definite article ho is masculine, pointing to a specific individual or entity, which fuels much debate.
    • restrains (katechōn): From katechō, meaning to hold back, suppress, hinder, restrain, or occupy. It indicates an active holding down or prevention.
    • now (arti): Reaffirms that this restraining activity is happening at the present time, immediately preceding the anticipated revelation.
• will do so (κατέχει, katechei - implied from katechōn and subsequent phrasing, not a distinct word here): The restraining activity continues.
• until (ἕως, heōs): A temporal marker, indicating that the restraining action will continue up to the point when the restrainer is removed.
• he is taken out of the way (ἐκ μέσου γένηται, ek mesou genētai):
  • taken out of the way (ek mesou genētai): Literally "comes to be out of the midst" or "ceases to be in the midst." The verb genētai (from ginomai) means "to come into being," "to become," or "to happen." Here, it signifies the restrainer ceasing to perform its restraining function or being removed from its sphere of operation, perhaps implying a cessation of their influence, rather than a literal physical removal from the earth (like in a rapture). It is in the passive voice, implying a higher power (God) allowing or causing this to happen.

Words-Group by Words-Group analysis

• "For the mystery of lawlessness": This phrase introduces a divine secret related to the spirit of anti-God rebellion. It's not chaos for chaos' sake, but a determined opposition to God's order and law. The term "mystery" suggests an unfolding divine plan, not random events.
• "is already working": This highlights that the spirit of rebellion against God, though not yet fully manifested in a specific person, is not dormant but actively influencing the world. It is a present, subtle, pervasive force at play, showing that evil has historical continuity and develops over time.
• "only he who now restrains will do so until": This emphatically states that a specific, identified force is actively holding back the full revelation of lawlessness. The existence of this restrainer implies a divinely appointed boundary for the progression of evil. The phrase "will do so until" implies that this restraining activity is temporary and has a predetermined end point within God's timing.
• "he is taken out of the way": This phrase refers to the cessation or removal of the restraining power. The passive voice ("is taken") implies divine orchestration, that the restrainer's departure is not by its own will but part of a larger, sovereign plan, allowing the final stages of the "mystery of lawlessness" to unfold. This moment is critical, as it triggers the unleashing of the Man of Lawlessness.

2 Thessalonians 2 7 Bonus section

The identity of "the restrainer" (ὁ κατέχων) and its "being taken out of the way" (ἕως ἐκ μέσου γένηται) are among the most debated topics in New Testament eschatology. While Paul implies the Thessalonians knew who or what he referred to, for us, it remains a subject of interpretation. The prominent views include:

1. The Holy Spirit: As the Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (Jn 16:8), and indwells believers, His presence (perhaps also through the Church) fundamentally restricts evil. If "taken out of the way" means a cessation of His restraining influence or His withdrawal with the Church, it would permit a complete moral decline.
2. The Church: If the Spirit restrains through the Church, then the Church itself, as the "salt and light" of the world (Matt 5:13-16), could be seen as the restraining influence. Its removal would signify the complete freedom for evil to dominate. This view is often connected with the Rapture in some eschatological frameworks.
3. Human Government/Law and Order: The Roman Empire was a significant restraining force against anarchy in Paul's day, upholding a semblance of order (Rom 13:1-7). Broader interpretations suggest that any form of established human authority and governance that upholds law and order serves as a restrainer against widespread chaos and lawlessness, until its efficacy declines or is overthrown.
4. Divine Decree or Providence: This view posits that the "restrainer" is God's own sovereign power and decree, limiting the timing and extent of evil's full manifestation until His predetermined moment. In this interpretation, "He is taken out of the way" signifies a divine lifting of God's direct, active restraint, allowing evil to fully culminate according to His purpose before its ultimate defeat.

The verse primarily reassures believers that events are unfolding under God's control, regardless of who or what the "restrainer" precisely is. It underscores that God permits but also limits evil, maintaining ultimate sovereignty until the pre-ordained time for the Man of Lawlessness to be revealed, setting the stage for Christ's ultimate victory.

2 Thessalonians 2 7 Commentary

2 Thessalonians 2:7 is a pivotal verse in eschatological discussions, presenting a theological enigma. The "mystery of lawlessness" signifies the inherent principle of evil and rebellion against God that is present in the world, distinct from common sin because of its underlying divine secret and progression. Paul assures the Thessalonians that despite this evil actively working, a powerful "restrainer" (masculine, "He") is actively hindering its full manifestation and the revelation of the Man of Lawlessness. This temporary divine- or divinely-ordained barrier means God is ultimately sovereign over the timing and unfolding of even evil events. The removal of this restrainer marks a divinely appointed moment when God allows evil to run its course to a climactic conclusion before His ultimate triumph. It highlights that nothing, not even the rise of cosmic evil, occurs outside God's overarching plan and timing.