1 Talking about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we're brought together to him, brothers and sisters— 2 please don't become upset or concerned by any spiritual revelation, or message, or letter supposedly from us that makes you think that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, because the Rebellion must come first, and the lawless man be revealed, the one whose end is destruction. 4 He is the enemy of God, and proudly sets himself up over everything that is called God and is worshiped. He even installs himself in God's Temple, claiming to be God. 5 Don't you remember that I told you all this while I was still with you? 6 Now you know what's keeping him in check, because he will be revealed for what he is at the appropriate time. 7 For the secret ways of lawlessness are already at work; however he who now restrains it will continue to do so until he is out of the way. 8 Then the lawless one will be revealed, the one whom the Lord Jesus will wipe out, blowing him away, destroying him by the brilliance of his coming. 9 He (the lawless one) comes to do Satan's work, having all kinds of powers, using miracles, and performing amazing but deceptive displays. 10 Using every type of evil trick he deludes those who are on their way to destruction, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Because of this God sends them a convincing delusion so that they put their trust in the lie. 12 As a result everyone who did not trust in the truth will be condemned, for they preferred what is evil. 13 But we just have to keep on thanking God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you to be saved through the Spirit who makes you right as you trust in the truth. 14 This is what he called you to through the good news we shared with you, so that you could participate in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So, brothers and sisters, stand firm, and hold on to what you've been taught, whether by what you were told, or through a letter from us. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God the Father (who through his grace gave us eternal confidence and a trustworthy hope), 17 encourage you and strengthen you so you can say and do everything that is good.
2 Thessalonians · Free Bible Version
2 Thessalonians 2 Free Bible Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Cross references (17)
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
- 17 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; Jude 24; Colossians 2:7
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)