2 Thessalonians 2:7

5 Do you not remember that I told you these things while I was still with you?

6 And you know what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed at the proper time.

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now restrains it will continue until he is taken out of the way.

8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival.

9 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now restrains it will continue until he is taken out of the way.
KJV
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
WEB
For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way.
ASV
For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only [there is] one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.
DARBY
For the mystery of lawlessness already works; only [there is] he who restrains now until he be gone,
BLB
For the mystery of lawlessness is working already, only the one at present is restraining [it] until he might be out of the midst.
ÅB
For lovløshetens hemmelighet er alt virksom, bare at den som nå holder igjen, ryddes av veien;
OTB
For lovløshetens hemmelige kraft er allerede i virksomhet; bare Han som nå holder det tilbake, vil fortsette å gjøre det inntil Han blir tatt bort.
B1930
For lovløshetens hemmelighet er alt virksom, bare at den som nu holder igjen, ryddes av veien;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 John 4:3

    and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time.

    Read in context
  • Revelation 17:7

    “Why are you so amazed?” said the angel. “I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and ten horns.

    Read in context
  • 2 Timothy 2:17–18

    and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

    Read in context
  • Revelation 17:5

    And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

    Read in context
  • Acts 20:29

    I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.

    Read in context
  • 1 John 2:18

    Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.

    Read in context