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2 Thessalonians 2:7 – The Restraining One

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Will

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He may be out of the way.

Truth to Learn

The restraining one is probably a reference to the Holy Spirit.

Behind the Words

The word “mystery” is transliterated from the Greek noun musterion. This word is used at least twenty other times in the New Testament. In each case it describes a truth that has previously been hidden but that is now being made known.

“Lawlessness” is from anomia, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” or “without” and nomos, meaning “law.” So, anomia literally means “without law” or “lawless.”

The word “already” is translated from ēdē, which is an adverb of time meaning “now,” “even now,” or “already.”

“May be” is from the verb ginomai, meaning “to begin to be” or “to become.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating probability or possibility. Thus it is translated as “should become” or “may be.”

The words “out of the way” are translated from the Greek words ek mesou. Ek means “out” or “out of” and mesou, a form of mesos, means “in the midst, either in time or position.” Therefore ek mesou means “out of the midst.”

Meaning Explained

In this current chapter, Paul has been focusing on the Day of the Lord, that period of time when God will judge the inhabitants of the earth. Back in verse three, he told us that this day will not come until the apostasia occurs and the “man of lawlessness” is revealed. But, Paul taught us that the “man of lawlessness,” whom the Apostle John calls “the antichrist,” will not be revealed until the restraining force is taken out of the way.

As we discussed in yesterday’s verse, we don’t know for certain what this restraining force is, but it seems reasonable to conclude that it is the Holy Spirit of God. The primary argument against such a conclusion is the fact that in yesterday’s verse it was referred to as a “restraining thing” (neuter article and verb in the Greek), whereas in today’s verse He is referred to with a masculine article and verb (literally, “the restraining one”). This is not a problem when you realize that Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit both in the neuter and the masculine. In John’s gospel, He refers to the Holy Spirit as “the helper” (neuter) and as “the spirit of truth” (neuter), but He also refers to the Holy Spirit as “He,” which is a masculine pronoun in the Greek (see John 14:26, 15:26, 16:13-14).

The “mystery of lawlessness” is probably a reference to the fact that sin and lawlessness are already present in the world, but will be revealed in full force after the restraining one is taken out of the midst. This may be a reference to the rapture, when the church and the indwelling of the Spirit are taken off the earth. Keep in mind, however, that the Holy Spirit is God, who is everywhere present at all times. We know that the Holy Spirit will still be present and active during the Tribulation because people will be saved during that terrible time, but He will not be restraining evil during that time like He is today.

Application

I firmly believe that the church will not be present for any part of the Tribulation, which is very comforting. However, that doesn’t mean our work is done. We need to be witnesses of the gospel of Christ more and more as that day approaches.

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Thessalonians 2:3 – Two Preceding Events

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Will

Let no one deceive you by any means; for it will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

Truth to Learn

The Tribulation won’t begin until a couple of other things happen first.

Behind the Words

“Deceive” is translated from the Greek verb exapataō, made up of ek, used as an intensifier, and apataō, meaning “to deceive” or “to seduce.” Thus, exapataō means “to completely deceive.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating possibility or probability. Therefore, the opening part of this verse should read, “No one might completely deceive you …”

The words “it will not come” are not in the Greek text; however, they are implied by the context and are appropriately inserted.

The words “falling away” are translated from the Greek noun apostasia. This word is based on the verb aphistēmi, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and histēmi, meaning “to stand” or “to place.” Thus, aphistēmi, means “to put away” or “to remove.” So, the noun apostasia refers to “the departure.” It can refer to a departure from a place or from a set of ideals. The English word apostasy primarily refers to a departure from the core beliefs of Christianity, but the Greek word could also refer to a physical departure.

Anomia is the Greek word translated “lawlessness.” It is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” or “without” and nomos, meaning “a law.” Thus, this word describes someone who does not acknowledge or obey the law.

“Destruction” is from the Greek noun apoliea, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from,” used here as an intensifier, and ollumi, meaning “to destroy.” Thus, apoliea refers to “complete destruction.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we noted that Paul is talking about how the Thessalonian Christians had been fooled into believing that the Day of the Lord (the Tribulation) had already begun. In today’s verse he instructs us regarding certain events that must occur before the Tribulation can begin.

He says, “no one should completely deceive you …” The reason we shouldn’t be fooled into thinking the Tribulation is upon us is because it won’t happen until a couple of other things happen. The first thing that must occur is the apostasia; however, there is much debate as to what this specifically refers to. Some believe that it refers to the Rapture, when the church is removed from the earth. Others note that the only other use of the word in the New Testament is the following:

… that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses … (Acts 21:21)

Secular writers of the first century use the word to refer to political revolt as well as the religious movement away from fundamental Judaism. So, it is unclear as to whether Paul is referring to a religious apostasy or to the rapture. Based on the context of Paul’s teaching here, it is most reasonable to view this as a reference to the rapture of the church.

The other event that must occur before the Tribulation is the “man of lawlessness” must be revealed. This is most likely a reference to the one we call “antichrist,” although only the Apostle John uses that designation. Only after the apostasia and the revealing of the “man of lawlessness” can the Tribulation begin.

Application

It’s very clear to many of us that the Rapture and the Day of the Lord are both very near. Until that day, keep your focus on God and listen for the trumpet blast!

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Thessalonians 2:7 – The Restraining One

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Will

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

Truth to Learn

The restraining one is probably a reference to the Holy Spirit.

Behind the Words

The word “already” is translated from ēdē, which is an adverb of time meaning “now,” “even now,” or “already.”

“Taken” is from the verb ginomai, meaning “to begin to be” or “to become.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating probability or possibility. Thus this should probably be translated as “should become” or “should be.”

Meaning Explained

In this current chapter, Paul has been focusing on the Day of the Lord, that period of time when God will judge the inhabitants of the earth. Back in verse three, he told us that this day will not come until the apostasia occurs and the “man of sin” is revealed. But, Paul taught us that the “man of sin,” whom the Apostle John calls “the antichrist,” will not be revealed until the restraining force is taken out of the way.

Application

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 6:19 – Seeking Holiness

Posted on March 24, 2010 by Will

Romans 6:19

I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

Truth to Learn

We should stop giving ourselves to the lordship of sin; instead, we should be giving ourselves to the lordship of righteousness.

Behind the Words

The word translated “human terms” is the adjective anthrōpinos. This word is based on anthrōpos, which literally means “manfaced,” but is most often translated “man” or “human being.” The adjective form means “belonging to man; his manners, custom, nature or condition). Hence, it refers to “that which characterizes man, as opposed to animals, angels, or God.”

“Weakness” is from the Greek word astheneia, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “without” and a form of sthenos, meaning “strength.” Hence astheneia means “without strength,” “weakness,” or “sickness.”

Meaning Explained

Paul opens up this verse with an odd phrase, “I speak in human terms.” What he means by this is that he is using an illustration from everyday human life that everyone will understand. You will recall that several verses back we talked about the fact that slavery was so universal in the Roman Empire that everyone understood it.

Paul now goes on to explain why he is using such a base illustration: “because of the weakness of your flesh.” There is some debate over what this expression means. Some say that “flesh” refers to the sin nature, which is how Paul uses this term in many other places; however, this doesn’t make sense in this particular context because the sin nature is not weak. In fact, it is very strong. Others believe that he is using the term “flesh” to refer to the spiritual intellect and what he means is that he is using such a base illustration because of the spiritual immaturity of the Roman Christians and their inability to grasp great spiritual truths in their present condition. I tend to favor this latter interpretation.

Paul’s current point is that we have believed a teaching (doctrine) that is molding us to the image of Christ. Because of that, we have been made free from sin and have become the slaves of righteousness. Therefore, just like we used to yield our members (the various parts of our bodies, including our mind) to uncleanness and to lawless acts (which lead to more lawless acts), so we should now yield our members as slaves to righteousness (or righteous acts) which results in holiness.

The concept that Paul is driving home over and over again is that we have no right to live in sin, under the total influence of our sin nature. After all, sin no longer owns us; God owns us if we are truly saved. And because God owns us, we should yield (or submit) ourselves to Him. As we do, we begin to acquire His holiness (we become molded into His image) as we become more and more set apart from sinfulness.

Application

This desire for righteousness and holiness should be the desire of all Christians. We should all want to become more like Christ by submitting to Him. Is this the desire of your heart?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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