New Testament
2 Thessalonians 2
Overview
Paul turns to the letter's central crisis: the Thessalonians have been shaken and alarmed by a claim—whether by spirit, spoken word, or a forged letter "seeming to be from us"—that "the day of the Lord has come." He pleads with them not to be quickly unsettled, then corrects the error by an argument of sequence: that day cannot have arrived because two things must come first. The rebellion (apostasia) must come, and the "man of lawlessness," the "son of destruction," must be revealed—the one who exalts himself above every so-called god, taking his seat in the temple of God and proclaiming himself to be God. Paul reminds them he told them this in person and explains that something now "restrains" this figure so he is revealed only in his time; meanwhile "the mystery of lawlessness is already at work." When the lawless one is at last revealed, the Lord Jesus will kill him with the breath of his mouth and bring him to nothing by the appearance of his coming. His coming is by Satan's power with false signs and wonders, deceiving those who perish because they refused to love the truth and so are sent a strong delusion. The chapter then pivots to comfort: God chose the Thessalonians "as the firstfruits to be saved," called them through the gospel to obtain the glory of Christ, so they must "stand firm and hold to the traditions" taught them—closing in prayer that Christ and God would comfort and establish their hearts.
1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2That 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.
3Let 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;
4Who 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.
5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let , until he be taken out of the way.
8And 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:
9Even him , whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13But 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:
14Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16Now 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,
17Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.