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2 Thessalonians 2

2 Thess. 2:7 KJV (With Strong’s)

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7
For
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
gar (Greek #1063)
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
KJV usage: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Pronounce: gar
Origin: a primary particle
the mystery
musterion (Greek #3466)
a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites)
KJV usage: mystery.
Pronounce: moos-tay'-ree-on
Origin: from a derivative of μύω (to shut the mouth)
of iniquity
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
anomia (Greek #458)
illegality, i.e. violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness
KJV usage: iniquity, X transgress(-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.
Pronounce: an-om-ee'-ah
Origin: from 459
doth
energeo (Greek #1754)
to be active, efficient
KJV usage: do, (be) effectual (fervent), be mighty in, shew forth self, work (effectually in).
Pronounce: en-erg-eh'-o
Origin: from 1756
already
ede (Greek #2235)
even now
KJV usage: already, (even) now (already), by this time.
Pronounce: ay'-day
Origin: apparently from 2228 (or possibly 2229) and 1211
c work
energeo (Greek #1754)
to be active, efficient
KJV usage: do, (be) effectual (fervent), be mighty in, shew forth self, work (effectually in).
Pronounce: en-erg-eh'-o
Origin: from 1756
: only
monon (Greek #3440)
merely
KJV usage: alone, but, only.
Pronounce: mon'-on
Origin: neuter of 3441 as adverb
he who
katecho (Greek #2722)
to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: have, hold (fast), keep (in memory), let, X make toward, possess, retain, seize on, stay, take, withhold.
Pronounce: kat-ekh'-o
Origin: from 2596 and 2192
now
arti (Greek #737)
just now
KJV usage: this day (hour), hence(-forth), here(-after), hither(-to), (even) now, (this) present.
Pronounce: ar'-tee
Origin: adverb from a derivative of 142 (compare 740) through the idea of suspension
letteth
katecho (Greek #2722)
to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: have, hold (fast), keep (in memory), let, X make toward, possess, retain, seize on, stay, take, withhold.
Pronounce: kat-ekh'-o
Origin: from 2596 and 2192
will let, until
heos (Greek #2193)
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
KJV usage: even (until, unto), (as) far (as), how long, (un-)til(-l), (hither-, un-, up) to, while(-s).
Pronounce: heh'-oce
Origin: of uncertain affinity
he be taken
ginomai (Greek #1096)
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
KJV usage: arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
Pronounce: ghin'-om-ahee
Origin: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb
out of
ek (Greek #1537)
or ἐξ (ex) a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote)
KJV usage: after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
Pronounce: ek
the way
mesos (Greek #3319)
middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)
KJV usage: among, X before them, between, + forth, mid(-day, -night), midst, way.
Pronounce: mes'-os
Origin: from 3326
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c
1 John 4:3• 3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:3)

More on:

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mystery

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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the mystery.
1 Tim. 3:16• 16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Tim. 3:16)
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Rev. 17:5,7• 5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
 7And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. (Rev. 17:5,7)
doth.
Acts 20:29• 29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. (Acts 20:29)
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Col. 2:18‑23• 18Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
 19And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
 20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
 21(Touch not; taste not; handle not;
 22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
 23Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh. (Col. 2:18‑23)
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2 Tim. 2:17‑18• 17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus;
 18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. (2 Tim. 2:17‑18)
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1 John 2:18• 18Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (1 John 2:18)
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1 John 4:3• 3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:3)
he who.
2 Thess. 2:6• 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. (2 Thess. 2:6)
• When the assembly (the assembly, that is, as composed of the true members of Christ) is gone, and consequently the Holy Spirit as the Comforter is no longer dwelling here below, then the apostasy takes place. (“2 Thessalonians 2” by J.N. Darby)
• Here I think indeed that it is God in the Person of the Holy Spirit, who, during the time called “the things that are,” restrains the evil and guards divine authority in the world. As long as that subsists, the unrestrained exaltation of wickedness cannot take place. Consequently, I do not doubt but that the rapture of the saints is the occasion of the hindrance being removed and all restraint loosed, although some of the ways of God are developed before the full manifestation of the evil. (“2 Thessalonians 2” by J.N. Darby)
• The principle of the evil was already at work: a barrier alone prevented its development. Its character, when developed, would be unbridled will which exalts and opposes itself. (“2 Thessalonians 2” by J.N. Darby)
• All was ready and complete in the Apostle’s time, only restrained. So Christ was ready to judge. Only the patience of God waits, in the accepted time. (“2 Thessalonians 2” by J.N. Darby)
• And as the porter had opened the door to Jesus in spite of all obstacles, so He sustains everything, however great the energy and progress of evil. The evil is bridled: God is the source of authority on earth. There is one who hinders until he be taken out of the way. Now when the assembly (the assembly, that is, as composed of the true members of Christ) is gone, and consequently the Holy Spirit as the Comforter is no longer dwelling here below, then the apostasy takes place. (“2 Thessalonians 2” by J.N. Darby)
• The object was to declare that the evil which should be judged was already working, that there was no remedy for it, that it was only a hindrance on God’s part which prevented its full development (“2 Thessalonians 2” by J.N. Darby)
• "The mystery of lawlessness" is the hidden energy of Satan meanwhile in mingling error with truth under Christ's name, either swamping grace by legalism or prostituting it to license. (“On 2 Thessalonians 2:5-7” by W. Kelly)
• It is lawlessness secretly at work, and so called its "mystery," in contrast with the revelation of the lawless one when the resisting power no longer acts, and his own season is arrived. (“On 2 Thessalonians 2:5-7” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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For the mystery of lawlessness already works; only there is he who restrains now until he be gone,

W. Kelly Translation

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7
For the mystery of lawlessnessa already worketh: only [there is] one that restraineth now until he beb out of the way,

WK Translation Notes

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a
There is a link of importance missed by the English translators between the mystery of lawlessness already working and the lawless one (vs. 8) who is yet to be revealed. The germ was there in the midst of professing Christianity, which was at last to issue in so portentous a conclusion. The Revisers are quite right in giving us "lawlessness," and "the lawless one," instead of the words in the KJV.
b
Almost all versions unwittingly add to the word here. For it is not said "taken," as might well be of an earthly power, or person, that does not vacate but is forcibly removed. Not so the true Restrainer, behind all the visible and varying forms of the restraint; He goes of Himself, and quits the scene, judicially left open for a while to Satan’s abominable pride and mischief. It means "till he become out of the way," which as I believe precisely suits the Holy Spirit.