2 Thessalonians 2:7
What does 2 Thessalonians 2:7 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Thessalonians 2:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Thessalonians 2:7 means
Paul explains that “the mystery of lawlessness doth already work.” Evil operates in hidden, developing ways even now, but it is being held in check: “only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.” He describes the restraining in personal terms without naming the agent, keeping attention on God’s sovereignty rather than speculation. The phrase “until he be taken out of the way” signals a temporary barrier; when removed, the latent rebellion will surge. For Christians this realism helps vigilance without alarmism: lawlessness is present yet limited; its fuller unveiling depends on God’s permission, not on human schemes or Satan’s desires.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For the secret of evil is even now at work: but there is one who is keeping back the evil till he is taken out of the way.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for the secret of the lawlessness doth already work, only he who is keeping down now <FI>will hinder<Fi> --till he may be out of the way,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For the mystery of iniquity already worketh: only that he who now holdeth do hold, until he be taken out of the way.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For the mystery of lawlessness already works; only [there is] he who restrains now until he be gone,
Context
This verse deepens v6’s theme by acknowledging present evil while asserting present restraint. The tension builds toward the moment when the restraint ceases. Immediately in v8, Paul resolves the tension by pointing to the Lord Jesus’ intervention and triumph over the lawless one at His coming. Thus the passage moves from warning to hope, ensuring the church reads the times with sobriety and with confidence.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Timothy 2:17
and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: of whom is Hymenæus and Philetus;
- Revelation 17:5
and upon her forehead a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
- Colossians 2:18
Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
- Revelation 17:7
And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns.
- Acts 20:29
I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;
- 1 John 4:3
and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already.
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