2 Thessalonians 2:9
What does 2 Thessalonians 2:9 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Thessalonians 2:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Thessalonians 2:9 means
This figure’s “coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” The words stress both supernatural display and counterfeit character. Signs and wonders are not self-authenticating; they can be used to confirm a lie. Satan mimics God’s works to mislead, and the lawless one is his instrument. Power is present, but it is parasitic and deceptive, not holy. Believers must weigh claims by their conformity to the truth of Christ, not by spectacle. The text warns that the last days will feature persuasive experiences that validate rebellion in the eyes of the undiscerning.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Even the one whose coming is marked by the working of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862<FI> him,<Fi> whose presence is according to the working of the Adversary, in all power, and signs, and lying wonders,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power and signs and lying wonders:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890whose coming is according to the working of Satan in all power and signs and wonders of falsehood,
Context
Having shown that Christ will destroy the lawless one (v8), Paul now exposes the means by which this adversary deceives: satanic-backed displays that impress but mislead. This prepares for v10’s focus on the human response—some will perish because they did not receive the love of the truth. The flow moves from the source of deception (Satan) to the recipients’ culpability, setting up the sobering statement of divine judgment in vv11–12.
v.8And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming;
v.9This passage
v.10and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 2:2
wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience;
- Revelation 18:23
and the light of a lamp shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the princes of the earth; for with thy sorcery were all the nations deceived.
- Revelation 19:20
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought the signs in his sight, wherewith he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image: they two were cast alive into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone:
- Matthew 24:24
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
- 2 Corinthians 4:4
in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them.
- Exodus 7:22
And the magicians of Egypt did in like manner with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as Jehovah had spoken.
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