2 Thessalonians 2:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12

In these words the apostle confutes the error against which he had cautioned them, and gives the reasons why they should not expect the coming of Christ as just at hand. There were several events previous to the second coming of Christ; in particular, he tells them there would be, I. A general apostasy, there would come a falling away first, 2 Thess. 2:3. By this apostasy we are not to understand a defection in the state, or from civil government, but in spiritual or religious matters, from... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

2:1-12 Brothers, in regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and in regard to our being gathered to him, we ask you not to be readily shaken in your mind and not to get into a state of nervous excitement because of any statement purporting to come from us either in the Spirit or by word of mouth or by a letter and alleging that the Day of the Lord is here. Let no one deceive you in any way. The Day of the Lord will not come unless there comes first The Rebellion against God, and unless... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 2:7

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work ,.... Or "the mystery of that wicked one", as the Syriac; meaning either antichrist himself, and the spirit of antichrist, which were already in the world, 1 John 2:18 , "mystery" being one of the names of antichrist, Revelation 17:5 and anciently this word was engraven on the mitres of the popes of Rome: or the evil doctrines and practices of antichrist may be intended; for as the doctrine of the Gospel is called a mystery, and the mystery... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 2:7

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work - There is a system of corrupt doctrine, which will lead to the general apostasy, already in existence, but it is a mystery; it is as yet hidden; it dare not show itself, because of that which hindereth or withholdeth. But when that which now restraineth shall be taken out of the way, then shall that wicked one be revealed-it will then be manifest who he is, and what he is. See the observations at the end of this chapter (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 2:7

Verse 7 7. The mystery of iniquity. This is opposed to revelation; for as Satan had not yet gathered so much strength, as that Antichrist could openly oppress the Church, he says that he is carrying on secretly and clandestinely (658) what he would do openly in his own time. He was therefore at that time secretly laying the foundations on which he would afterwards rear the edifice, as actually took place. And this tends to confirm more fully what I have already stated, that it is not one... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

I. ERROR REGARDING THE COMING OF CHRIST . "Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him; to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by Epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is now present; let no man beguile you in any wise." The apostle beseeches the Thessalonians as brethren, in the interest of correct views of the coming of our Lord... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

When that restraining influence was removed, the man of sin would be revealed, accompanied with powers and signs and wonders of falsehood, and would succeed in deceiving those who were destitute of the love of the truth. Then would the Lord Jesus Christ come and destroy him by the breath of his mouth and the appearance of his presence. The apostle thanks God that the Thessalonians, on the contrary, were chosen to salvation and to a participation of the glory of the Lord; he exhorts them to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

The apostle's main design in this Epistle is to correct a most disquieting error that had arisen upon this point. I. THE PANIC IN THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH . 1 . It was concerning the date of the second coming of Christ. "Touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together unto him." The facts of this august event had been prophetically described in the First Epistle. 2 . The misapprehension caused a sort of panic. "That ye be not soon shaken in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 2:7

For the mystery. "Mystery" here denotes something which was unknown or secret before it was revealed (comp. Ephesians 3:3-5 ). So also one of the names of Babylon, the seat of the antichristian power, is Mystery ( Revelation 17:3 ). Of iniquity; rather, of lawlessness; namely, this apostasy which shall precede the coming of the man of sin. The genitive here is that of apposition—"that mystery which is lawlessness,'' whose essence and sphere of operation is lawlessness. Doth... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Thessalonians 2:7

For the mystery of iniquity - On the meaning of the word mystery, see the notes on Romans 11:25; compare 1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:3; Colossians 1:26. It means properly what is hidden or concealed; not necessarily that which is unintelligible. The “mystery of iniquity” seems here to refer to some hidden or concealed depravity - some form of sin which was working secretly and silently, and which had not yet developed itself. Any secret sources of iniquity in the church -... read more

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