2 Thessalonians 2:12
What does 2 Thessalonians 2:12 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Thessalonians 2:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Thessalonians 2:12 means
God’s purpose in permitting this delusion is “that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” The final issue is not lack of evidence but love of evil. Unbelief is inseparable from moral choice: delighting in wrongdoing blinds the heart to truth. Judgment, therefore, is just. This verse closes the sobering section by unmasking unbelief’s root and end. It cautions readers that neutrality is an illusion: one either receives the truth with faith or embraces unrighteousness with falsehood. Only the love of the truth, granted by grace, leads to salvation; the love of sin leads to condemnation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
KJV
King James Version · 1611That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that they all may be judged, who had no faith in what is true, but took pleasure in evil.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862that they may be judged--all who did not believe the truth, but were well pleased in the unrighteousness.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But 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:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890that all might be judged who have not believed the truth, but have found pleasure in unrighteousness.
Context
With v12, the warning reaches its climax: rejection of truth culminates in judgment. Paul will now pivot from the destiny of the deceived to the security of the beloved in v13. The contrast between “they” who perish and “you” whom God has chosen highlights grace. The next verses (vv13–14) celebrate God’s electing love, sanctification by the Spirit, faith in the truth, and calling through the gospel, forming the basis for the exhortation to stand firm in v15.
v.11And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie:
v.12This passage
v.13But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 12:9
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
- Romans 1:32
who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practise them.
- 2 Peter 2:13
suffering wrong as the hire of wrong-doing; men that count it pleasure to revel in the day-time, spots and blemishes, revelling in their deceivings while they feast with you;
- Mark 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.
- John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
- Psalms 50:16
But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, And that thou hast taken my covenant in thy mouth,
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