2 Thessalonians 2 KJV
The Man of Lawlessness
2 Thessalonians Chapter 2: The Man of Lawlessness
The phrase "son of perdition" applied to the man of lawlessness links him typologically to Judas Iscariot, the only other New Testament figure so designated, implying betrayal from within the believing community rather than external opposition alone.
1ow we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 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.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
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Did You Know?
The phrase "son of perdition" applied to the man of lawlessness links him typologically to Judas Iscariot, the only other New Testament figure so designated, implying betrayal from within the believing community rather than external opposition alone.
Verse 4's depiction of the man exalting himself in the temple echoes the historical desecration by Antiochus Epiphanes recorded in the Maccabees, supplying a concrete Second Temple backdrop that frames Paul's future-oriented prophecy.
The assertion that the "mystery of iniquity doth already work" establishes an inaugurated eschatology in which end-time rebellious forces operate in the present but remain under temporary divine restraint.
God's sending of "strong delusion" in verse 11 articulates a theology of judicial hardening, wherein divine action confirms those who have already rejected truth in their chosen deception rather than initiating new unbelief.
The chapter's closing exhortation to "hold the traditions" grounds the entire apocalyptic discussion in the authority of received apostolic teaching, presenting eschatological stability as dependent on fidelity to prior instruction rather than new revelations.
Commentary & Study Notes Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871) ยท Public Domain Now โ rather, "But"; marking the transition from his prayers for them to entreaties to them. we beseech you โ or "entreat you." He uses affectionate entreaty, rather than stern repโฆ
Classic verse-by-verse commentary on 2 Thessalonians 2 from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown (1871). Covers: Correction of their error as to Christ's immediate coming. The apostasy that must precede it. Exhortation to steadfastness, introduced with thanksgiving for their election by God.
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- Now โ rather, "But"; marking the transition from his prayers for them to entreaties to them. we beseech you โ or "entreat you." He uses affectionate entreaty, rather than stern reproof, to win them over to the right view. by โ rather, "with respect to"; as the Greek for "of" (2Co 1:8). our gathering together unto him โ the consummating or final gathering together of the saints to Him at His coming, as announced, Mt 24:31; 1Th 4:17. The Greek noun is nowhere else found except in Heb 10:25, said of the assembling together of believers for congregational worship. Our instinctive fears of the judgment are dispelled by the thought of being gathered together UNTO HIM ("even as the hen gathereth her chickens under her wings"), which ensures our safety.
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- soon โ on trifling grounds, without due consideration. shaken โ literally, "tossed" as ships tossed by an agitated sea. Compare for the same image, Eph 4:14. in mind โ rather as the Greek, "from your mind," that is, from your mental steadfastness on the subject. troubled โ This verb applies to emotional agitation; as "shaken" to intellectual. by spirit โ by a person professing to have the spirit of prophecy (1Co 12:8-10; 1Jo 4:1-3). The Thessalonians had been warned (1Th 5:20, 21) to "prove" such professed prophesyings, and to "hold fast (only) that which is good." by word โ of mouth (compare 2Th 2:5, 15); some word or saying alleged to be that of Paul, orally communicated. If oral tradition was liable to such perversion in the apostolic age (compare a similar instance, Joh 21:23), how much more in our age! by letter as from us โ purporting to be from us, whereas it is a forgery. Hence he gives a test by which to know his genuine letters (2Th 3:17). day of Christ โ The oldest manuscripts read, "day of the Lord." is at hand โ rather, "is immediately imminent," literally, "is present"; "is instantly coming." Christ and His apostles always taught that the day of the Lord's coming is at hand; and it is not likely that Paul would imply anything contrary here; what he denies is, that it is so immediately imminent, instant, or present, as to justify the neglect of everyday worldly duties. CHRYSOSTOM, and after him ALFORD, translates, "is (already) present" (compare 2Ti 2:18), a kindred error. But in 2Ti 3:1, the same Greek verb is translated "come." WAHL supports this view. The Greek is usually used of actual presence; but is quite susceptible of the translation, "is all but present."
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