2 Thessalonians 2:7 - Printer Friendly

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.

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.

NASB: For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is removed.

CSB: For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way,

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.

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

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.

Paul is clarifying certain aspects of end times (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13–17; 5:1–11). This includes particular events which must happen before the beginning of the day of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:3–5).

Paul introduces a "mystery" in this verse. It is the mystery of lawlessness, and Paul says it is already operating. The New Testament word "mystery" identifies a truth previously hidden but later revealed. For example, Paul describes the union of saved Jews and saved Gentiles in the church as a mystery (Ephesians 3:1–6). Also, in 1 Corinthians 15:51 he refers to the resurrection of believers at the rapture as a mystery. Here, in 2 Thessalonians 2:7, he describes lawlessness as a "mystery" that is already at work. Lawlessness is present now, but it will culminate in the deeds of the man of lawlessness. This truth was hidden until God revealed it through Paul.

Currently, the restrainer holds back lawlessness, but he will be removed someday. When he is out of the way, lawless activities will culminate through the man of lawlessness. But who is the restrainer? Only the Holy Spirit has the power to hold back sin from becoming full blown. He does this through His convicting ministry. Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). He will do so through Jesus' followers, but at the rapture Jesus' followers will be removed from the earth, and the earthly influence of Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, will be greatly diminished. While the Holy Spirit will still be on the earth, His unique sin-restraining ministry through saved believers will be gone: He will no longer convict the world of sin through believers. Therefore, lawlessness will reach an unprecedented manifestation.

Verses 6 and 7 combine to make a powerful point about the evil we face during our earthly lives. Despite what some might think, God does not merely observe and do nothing, while suffering and death run rampant. This passage reminds us that God is restraining evil, even now.

Second Thessalonians 2:1–12 discusses the ''day of the Lord'' as an event from which Christians are exempt. Some Thessalonian believers were confused, thinking they had entered this time of hardship and judgment. Paul tells them to put such thinking aside, regardless of the source. He assures them the day of the Lord will not commence until a rebellion or apostasy occurs, followed by the emergence of the man of lawlessness. This figure will try to take on the role of God and deceive those who are lost and had rejected the truth. Empowered by Satan, the man of lawlessness will deceive unbelievers by performing signs and wonders. But at His coming, Jesus Christ will destroy the man of lawlessness.

The Christians of Thessalonica have not missed out on the events described in Paul's prior letter. Despite what some teachers apparently thought, they were not experiencing the ''day of the Lord,'' a time of God's great wrath and judgment. As proof, Paul offers instruction on events which had yet to occur, prior to the coming of the day of the Lord. The first is a rebellion, or a ''falling away.'' The second is the emergence of a ''man of lawlessness'' who will demonstrate satanic power. This will correspond with God removing His restraint, in some way, leaving sin freer rein to enable His judgment.

Chapter 1 praised the Christians of Thessalonica for their spiritual growth and acts of love. This chapter seeks to correct a discouraging error present in that same church. Paul encourages these believers by stating that they have not missed out on the events described in his prior letter and have not entered into the judgment of the ''day of the Lord.'' Before that catastrophic time can begin, certain events must occur. These include a widespread spiritual apostasy and the rise of a satanically-empowered figure. Chapter 3 commends the value of a strong work ethic, both in a spiritual and a secular sense.

Second Thessalonians follows Paul's earlier letter to the same group of Christian believers. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul had praised them for their faithfulness and given them reassurances about the day of the Lord. This included teachings on the rapture and a description of death as ''sleep'' from a Christian viewpoint. In this second letter, Paul corrects possible misunderstandings about those ideas. Among his teachings here are the importance of a good work ethic and God's impending judgment on sin, including judgment on those who persecute the Christian church. Paul also provides the Thessalonians with reassurances that they have not somehow missed out on Christ's return.