2 Thessalonians 2:6-7

Text (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7)

6 And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.

Translation and Paraphrase

6.

And now you (Thessalonians) know what it is that is hindering (the appearance of the man of lawlessness, and is causing things to work out) so that he may be revealed in his own (divinely appointed) time.

7.

(It should be obvious to you that such a man of lawlessness is coming) for the hidden scheme (and program) of lawlessness is already at work. Only, he who alone is now hindering (the appearance of the man of lawlessness will continue to hinder) until he be (gone) out of the midst (of us).

Notes (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7)

1.

There was some force in existence in Paul's time which was hindering the appearance of the man of sin. Phillips translation puts it this way: You will probably also remember how I used to talk about a -restraining power-' which would operate until the time should come for emergence of this man.

2.

The word withholdeth in 2 Thessalonians 2:6 is the same Greek word which is translated let in 2 Thessalonians 2:7. This is a bad rendering for modern readers. The words is both instances mean to hinder, hold back, restrain. (Note our translation and paraphrase for this meaning.)

3.

The Thessalonians probably knew a lot more clearly that we do what was withholding the appearance of the man of sin. Paul had told them more clearly than it has been told to us. But while we do not have the information they had, we do have much history behind us, by which we can often see the manner of God's dealings.

4.

If something in Paul's time was withholding the coming of the man of sin, surely the man of sin could not be some twentieth century individual.

5.

It is noteworthy that in verse six the restraining power is described as neuter. But in verse seven, it is masculine, he who alone is now hindering.

This probably indicates that the restraining power is both an abstract force and a personal figure. The restraining authority would be neuter, but the personal force masculine, indicating two aspects of the same power and authority.

6.

Note that God had a specific time designated on His divine calendar of events in which He would permit the appearance of the man of sin. Nothing happens by accident in this world. God may let some men run pretty wild, but He still holds the reins, and no one can get so far out of hand as to defeat His program.

7.

The mystery of iniquity (or mystery of lawlessness) refers to the hidden programs and scheme of the devil and lawless men.

This mystery of iniquity was already at work in Paul's time. Many New Testament references indicate that a falling away from the truth was already developing in apostolic times. See 1 John 4:1; 1 John 4:3; Jude 1:3; 1 John 2:18-19; 2 John 1:7, etc.

8.

The mystery of lawlessness in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is evidently a part of the same ungodly system that produced the man of lawlessness, mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. The mystery of lawlessness seems to be the antithesis of God's saving mystery in Christ. Ephesians 3:3; Ephesians 3:9.

9.

The King James version says, Until he be taken out of the way. The word taken is not actually in the Greek text. It is probably better to render it as in our paraphrase, Until he be (gone) out of the midst (of us). The Scripture does not say that God himself was going to take out the restraining power, but that eventually it would be out by some means or other.

10.

What is this force that restrained the appearance of the man of sin. For some ideas about this, see notes on 2 Thessalonians 2:3, par. 10.

Some interpreters feel that the Holy Spirit is He who hinders the appearance of the man of sin. Isaiah 59:19 is quoted to support this view. However, it is pure speculation to say that the influence of the Holy Spirit is to be withdrawn out of the earth as long as it shall stand. No Scripture actually says this. Also we wonder why the Holy Spirit should restrain this particular evil, that is, the appearance of the man of sin. Evil in many forms is rampant now, and certainly needs to be hindered.

11.

We prefer the view (as stated in our notes on 2 Thessalonians 2:3) that the restraining power was the Roman empire.

During the first three hundred years of the history of Christianity it was a persecuted illegal religion. This fact hindered any power-hungry Christian bishop from assuming a lot of authority.
In the years that followed the adoption of Christianity as the state religion (325 A.D.), emperors like Constantine and Theodosius considered themselves not only to be head of the state, but head of the church as well. For example, Constantine called the council of Nicea to settle the dispute about the nature of Christ.
In the fourth century as the barbarians began to invade the Roman empire, it became weaker and weaker, and its emperors became less and less strong.
In those times many of the bishops of Rome were strong-willed, capable men. Gradually the Roman bishops came to have more power and the, emperors less. The Roman bishops were further strengthened when the capital of the Roman empire was transferred to Constantinople in the East.
Leo the Great, bishop of Rome 440-461 A.D., greatly strengthened the authority of his office. On two occasions he saved Rome from being sacked, first by Atilla the Hun, and secondly by Genseric the Vandal. In return for such services the Roman emperor gave Leo authority over the bishops and churches in every province.
The Western Roman Empire fell in 486 A.D., and this gave the Roman bishops almost a free hand in Europe.
Bishop Gelasius (492-496) contended that although the king rules over men in the world, yet he is duty bound in spiritual things to submit to his religious prelates.
Later Roman bishops, such as Gregory the Great (590-604) formed alliances with civil rulers in the West, as well as emperors in the East.
While some strong emperors occasionally resisted the popes for many centuries, the popes became so strong that kings (such as Charlemagne) received their crowns from the hands of popes, and the popes sometimes commanded people in various countries to disobey their kings when the kings would not submit to the authority of the Roman church.

12.

Maybe we are wrong, but all of this history which we have mentioned, and a lot more like it, sounds to us like a description of what Paul was talking about when he prophesied about the appearance of the man of sin after the power that hindered him had gone.

13.

McGarvey lists nine ways in which the papacy fulfills the prophecy about the falling away and the appearance of the man of sin:

(1)

It has one official man at its head, and the arrogancy of its claims are centered in him.

(2)

That man came with, and out of, an apostasy, the very kind of an apostasy such as Paul describes elsewhere. 2 Timothy 3:1-9; 1 Timothy 4:1-3.

(3)

The spiritual pride, lawlessness, and desire for power which worked in Paul's day was curbed by the Roman civil government which dominated and persecuted.

(4)

When the bishop of Rome began to assert power, he was in conflict with the civil government.

(5)

When the Roman empire collapsed, the Roman church became all-powerful.

(6)

The same apostasy has been preserved carefully. The line of popes has been preserved, and will apparently be continued until Christ returns.

(7)

The papacy exalts itself against God and Christ, taking unto itself titles which God alone has the right to wear.

(8)

The popes sit in the temple of God.

(9)

The papacy proves its claims by fraudulent miracles, signs, and wonders, cures effected by relics and shrines. See notes on 2 Thessalonians 2:9, par. 3.