2 Thessalonians 2:11
What does 2 Thessalonians 2:11 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Thessalonians 2:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Thessalonians 2:11 means
“And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie.” This is a solemn statement of divine judgment: when people persistently reject the love of the truth, God hands them over to the deception they prefer. The sending does not make the lie true; it confirms them in their chosen path. This judicial hardening vindicates God’s righteousness and warns against trifling with the gospel. Grace rejected does not leave a neutral vacancy; it invites delusion. Yet even this shows God’s rule over events: deception is neither random nor ultimate—it serves His just purposes amid human rebellion.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And for this cause, God will give them up to the power of deceit and they will put their faith in what is false:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and because of this shall God send to them a working of delusion, for their believing the lie,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That all may be judged who have not believed the truth but have consented to iniquity.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And for this reasonGod sends to them a working of error, that they should believe what is false,
Context
This verse explains the consequence of v10’s refusal of truth: divine handing over to error. It bridges the moral cause (human rejection) and the judicial result (belief in falsehood), preparing for the explicit aim in v12—judgment. The flow reinforces responsibility and sovereignty together, before shifting to thanksgiving for God’s choosing of the Thessalonian believers in v13, a bright contrast to the preceding darkness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 29:9
Tarry ye and wonder; take your pleasure and be blind: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.
- 1 Timothy 4:1
But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,
- Jeremiah 27:10
for they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land, and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish.
- Isaiah 6:9
And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
- Romans 1:21
because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened.
- Psalms 109:17
Yea, he loved cursing, and it came unto him; And he delighted not in blessing, and it was far from him.
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