1 And we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our gathering together unto him: 2 That you be not easily moved from your sense, nor be terrified, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by epistle, as sent from us, as if the day of the Lord were at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means, for unless there come a revolt first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, 4 Who opposeth, and is lifted up above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself as if he were God. 5 Remember you not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now you know what withholdeth, that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity already worketh; only that he who now holdeth, do hold, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then that wicked one shall be revealed whom the Lord Jesus shall kill with the spirit of his mouth; and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming, him, 9 Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power, and signs, and lying wonders, 10 And in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish; because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Therefore God shall send them the operation of error, to believe lying: 11 That all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have consented to iniquity. 12 But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved of God, for that God hath chosen you firstfruits unto salvation, in sanctification of the spirit, and faith of the truth: 13 Whereunto also he hath called you by our gospel, unto the purchasing of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 14 Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle. 15 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God and our Father, who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope in grace, 16 Exhort your hearts, and confirm you in every good work and word.
2 Thessalonians · Douay-Rheims (Challoner), American Edition 1899
2 Thessalonians 2 Douay-Rheims (Challoner), American Edition 1899
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Cross references (16)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 1 Thessalonians 4:14–17; Mark 13:27; Matthew 24:31; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:19
- 2 1 John 4:1–2; Mark 13:7; Matthew 24:4–6; 2 Thessalonians 3:17; 2 Peter 3:4–8
- 3 Matthew 24:4–6; 1 John 2:18; Ephesians 5:6; 1 Timothy 4:1–3; 2 Thessalonians 2:8–10
- 4 Ezekiel 28:2; Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:6–7; Isaiah 14:13–14; Ezekiel 28:6
- 5 2 Peter 1:15; Matthew 16:9; John 16:4; Galatians 5:21; 2 Thessalonians 3:10
- 6 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:8
- 7 1 John 4:3; Revelation 17:7; 2 Timothy 2:17–18; Revelation 17:5; Acts 20:29
- 8 Revelation 19:20–21; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Isaiah 11:4; Revelation 20:10; Revelation 19:15
- 9 Matthew 24:24; Revelation 19:20; Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 11:3; John 4:48
- 10 1 Corinthians 1:18; Proverbs 1:7; 2 Corinthians 4:2–3; 2 Peter 2:12; John 8:45–47
- 11 Romans 1:28; John 12:39–43; 1 Timothy 4:1; Matthew 24:11; Psalm 81:11–12
- 12 Romans 1:32; Romans 8:7–8; Mark 16:16; Romans 2:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:9
- 13 2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 1:4–5; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Romans 9:11
- 14 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Peter 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 1:4–5
- 15 1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Philippians 4:1
- 16 John 3:16; Romans 5:2–5; 1 Peter 1:3–8; Titus 3:4–7; Romans 8:24–25
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
One may naturally enquire, what is that which withholdeth, and after that would know, why Paul expresses it so obscurely. What then is it that withholdeth, that is, hindereth him from being revealed? Some indeed say, the grace of the Spirit, but others the Roman empire, to whom I most of all accede. Wherefore?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 13 (1889)
And again, speaking of Antichrist, he says, "who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped." He points out here those who are called gods, by such as know not God, that is, idols.
… fire coming down out of heaven and consuming them, John meant that blow wherewith Christ in His coming is to strike those persecutors of the Church whom He shall then find alive upon earth, when He shall kill Antichrist with the breath of His mouth, then even this is not the last judgment of the wicked; but the last judgment …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)
Having called him "man of sin," and "son of perdition," He added, "Whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders; and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish." And see how He secures them; "Go not forth into the deserts, enter not into the secret chambers." He did not say, …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
And just as the mustard seed in one small grain contains many branches, so also this Faith has embraced in few words all the knowledge of godliness in the Old and New Testaments. Take heed then, brethren, and hold fast the traditions which ye now receive, and write them an the table of your heart.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)