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2 Thessalonians 2:7

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— 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.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only [there is] one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only [there is] one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now restraineth [will] restrain, until he be taken out of the way.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— For the mystery of lawlessness already works; only [there is] he who restrains now until he be gone,
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— For, the secret, of lawlessness, already, is inwardly working itself,—only, until, he that restraineth at present, shall be gone, out of the midst:
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— for the secret of the lawlessness doth already work, only he who is keeping down now [will hinder]—till he may be out of the way,
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— For the mystery of iniquity already worketh: only that he who now holdeth do hold, until he be taken out of the way.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— For the mysterie of iniquitie doeth already worke: onely he which nowe withholdeth, shall let till he be taken out of the way.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— For the mysterie of iniquitie doth alreadie worke: onely he who now letteth, [will let], vntill he be taken out of the way.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— For the mystery of iniquity is already at work, until he who now is the obstacle is taken out of the way.
John Etheridge Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1849)
— For the mystery of iniquity already beginneth to be effective; only if that which now holdeth be taken from the midst,
James Murdock Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1852)
— For the mystery of the evil One already beginneth to be operative: and only, if that which now hindereth shall be taken from the midst;

Strong's Numbers & Red-LettersGreek New TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
For 1063
{1063} Prime
γάρ
gar
{gar}
A primary particle; properly assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles).
the x3588
(3588) Complement

ho
{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
mystery 3466
{3466} Prime
μυστήριον
musterion
{moos-tay'-ree-on}
From a derivative of μύω [[muo]] (to shut the mouth); a secret or 'mystery' (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites).
of iniquity 458
{0458} Prime
ἀνομία
anomia
{an-om-ee'-ah}
From G0459; illegality, that is, violation of law or (generally) wickedness.
doth y1754
[1754] Standard
ἐνεργέω
energeo
{en-erg-eh'-o}
From G1756; to be active, efficient.
z0
<0000> Grammar
The original word in the Greek or Hebrew is translated by more than one word in the English. The English translation is separated by one or more other words from the original.
already 2235
{2235} Prime
ἤδη
ede
{ay'-day}
Apparently from G2228 (or possibly G2229) and G1211; even now.
work: 1754
{1754} Prime
ἐνεργέω
energeo
{en-erg-eh'-o}
From G1756; to be active, efficient.
z5731
<5731> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - Middle (See G5785)
Mood - Indicative (See G5791)
Count - 69
only 3440
{3440} Prime
μόνον
monon
{mon'-on}
Neuter of G3441 as adverb; merely.
he who now y737
[0737] Standard
ἄρτι
arti
{ar'-tee}
Adverb from a derivative of G0142 (compare G0740) through the idea of suspension; just now.
letteth 2722
{2722} Prime
κατέχω
katecho
{kat-ekh'-o}
From G2596 and G2192; to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively).
z5723
<5723> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - Active (See G5784)
Mood - Participle (See G5796)
Count - 2549
x737
(0737) Complement
ἄρτι
arti
{ar'-tee}
Adverb from a derivative of G0142 (compare G0740) through the idea of suspension; just now.
[will let], until 2193
{2193} Prime
ἕως
heos
{heh'-oce}
Of uncertain affinity; a conjugation, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place).
he be taken 1096
{1096} Prime
γίνομαι
ginomai
{ghin'-om-ahee}
A prolonged and middle form of a primary verb; to cause to be ('gen' -erate), that is, (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literally, figuratively, intensively, etc.).
z5638
<5638> Grammar
Tense - Second Aorist (See G5780)
Voice - Middle Deponent (See G5788)
Mood - Subjunctive (See G5792)
Count - 66
out of 1537
{1537} Prime
ἐκ
ek
{ek}
A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds), from, out (of place, time or cause; literally or figuratively; direct or remote).
the way. 3319
{3319} Prime
μέσος
mesos
{mes'-os}
From G3326; middle (as adjective or [neuter] noun).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

2 Thessalonians 2:7

_ _ the mystery of iniquity — the counterwork to “the mystery of godliness” (1 Timothy 3:16). Anti-Christianity latently working, as distinguished from its final open manifestation. “Mystery” in Scripture means, not what remains always a secret, but that which is for a while hidden, but in due time manifested (compare Ephesians 3:4, Ephesians 3:5). Satan will resort to a mode of opposition more conformed to the then imminent “appearing” and “presence” of the Savior, and will anticipate Him with a last effort to maintain the dominion of the world [Deuteronomy Burgh], just as at His first advent he rushed into open opposition, by taking possession of the bodies of men. “Iniquity,” Greek,lawlessness”; defiant rejection of God’s law (compare Note, see on Zechariah 5:9, Zechariah 5:10). “Wickedness” (translated by the Septuagint by the same Greek, meaning “lawlessness,” which Paul employs here), embodied there as a woman, answers to “the mystery of iniquity,” here embodied finally in “the man of sin”: as the former was ultimately banished for ever from the Holy Land to her own congenial soil, Babylon, so iniquity and the man of sin shall fall before Michael and the Lord Himself, who shall appear as the Deliverer of His people (Daniel 12:1-3; Zechariah 14:3-9). Compare Matthew 12:43. The Jewish nation dispossessed of the evil spirit, the demon of idolatry being cast out through the Babylonian captivity, receives ultimately a worse form of the evil spirit, Christ-opposing self-righteousness. Also, the Christian Church in course of time taken possession of by the demon of Romish idolatry, then dispossessed of it by the Reformation, then its house “garnished” by hypocrisy, secularity, and rationalism, but “swept empty” of living faith, then finally apostatizing and repossessed by “the man of sin,” and outwardly destroyed for a brief time (though even then Christ shall have witnesses for Him among both the Jews, Zechariah 13:9, and Gentiles, Matthew 28:20), when Christ shall suddenly come (Daniel 11:32-45; Luke 18:7, Luke 18:8).

_ _ already — (2 John 1:9, 2 John 1:10; Colossians 2:18-23; 1 Timothy 4:1); compare “even now already” (1 John 2:18; 1 John 4:3) as distinguished from “in his own time” of being revealed hereafter. Antiquity, it appears from hence, is not a justification for unscriptural usages or dogmas, since these were “already,” even in Paul’s time, beginning to spring up: the written word is the only sure test. “Judaism infecting Christianity is the fuel; the mystery of iniquity is the spark.” “It is one and the same impurity diffusing itself over many ages” [Bengel].

_ _ only he who now letteth will let — The italicized words are not in the Greek. Therefore, translate rather, “only (that is, the continuance of the MYSTERY of iniquity-working will be only) until he who now withholdeth (the same Greek as in 2 Thessalonians 2:6) be taken out of the way.” “Only (waiting, Hebrews 10:13) until he,” etc. Then it will work no longer in mystery, but in open manifestation.

Matthew Henry's Commentary

See commentary on 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

2 Thessalonians 2:7

He will surely be revealed; for the mystery — The deep, secret power of iniquity, just opposite to the power of godliness, already worketh. It began with the love of honour, and the desire of power; and is completed in the entire subversion of the gospel of Christ. This mystery of iniquity is not wholly confined to the Romish church, but extends itself to others also. It seems to consist of, Human inventions added to the written word. Mere outside performances put in the room of faith and love. Other mediators besides the man Christ Jesus. The two last branches, together with idolatry and bloodshed, are the direct consequences of the former; namely, the adding to the word of God. Already worketh — In the church. Only he that restraineth — That is, the potentate who successively has Rome in his power. The emperors, heathen or Christian; the kings, Goths or Lombards; the Carolingian or German emperors.

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

2 Thessalonians 2:7

(6) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: (7) only he who now (h) letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way.

(6) Even in the apostles time the first foundations of the apostolic seat were laid, but yet so that they deceived men. (7) He foretells that when the empire of Rome is taken away, the seat that falls away from God will succeed and hold its place, as the old writers, Tertullian, Chrysostom, and Jerome explain and interpret it.

(h) He who is now in authority and rules all, that is, the Roman Empire.

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
the mystery:

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Revelation 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

doth:

Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Colossians 2:18-23 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, ... Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
2 Timothy 2:17-18 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; ... Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

he who:

2 Thessalonians 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

Ac 20:29. Col 2:18. 2Th 2:6. 1Ti 3:16. 2Ti 2:17. 1Jn 2:18; 4:3. Rv 17:5, 7.

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