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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 which 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 already 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 confessedly great is the mystery of piety: he who was manifested in flesh, was justified in Spirit, appeared unto angels, was preached among Gentiles, was believed on in [the] world, was received up in glory. (1 Tim. 3:16)
;
Rev. 17:5,7• 5and upon her forehead a name written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
 7And the angel said to me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that beareth her, that hath the seven heads and the ten horns. (Rev. 17:5,7)
doth.
Acts 20:29• 29I know that after my departure grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; (Acts 20:29)
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Col. 2:18‑23• 18Let no one defraud you of your prize, doing his will in humility and worship of the angels, intruding into things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by the mind of his flesh,
 19and not holding fast the head, from whom all the body, ministered to and knit together by the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.
 20If ye died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as alive in [the] world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances?
 21Handle not, neither taste, nor even touch
 22(which are all for destruction in the using), according to the injunctions and trainings of men;
 23which have a reputation indeed of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and unsparingness of [the] body, not in any honour to satisfying of the flesh. (Col. 2:18‑23)
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2 Tim. 2:17‑18• 17and their word will eat up as a gangrene: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus,
 18[men] who concerning the truth went astray, saying that the resurrection hath already taken place, 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 hour, and even as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now many antichrists have come, whence we know that it is [the] last hour. (1 John 2:18)
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1 John 4:3• 3and every spirit which 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 already in the world. (1 John 4:3)
he who.
2 Thess. 2:6• 6And now ye know that which restraineth, that he may be revealed in his own season. (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.