2 Thessalonians 2:12

2 Thessalonians 2:12

That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

a. NLT: Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.

b. NIV: and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

c. YLT: that they may be judged -- all who did not believe the truth, but were well pleased in the unrighteousness.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: In order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe in [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely on] the Truth, but [instead] took pleasure in unrighteousness.

e. Worrell Translation: that they all may be judged, who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

1. “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth…”

a. That [Strong: 2443 * hina hin'-ah probably from the same as the former part of 1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare 3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.]

b. they all [Strong: 3956 * pas pas including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]

c. might be damned [Strong: 2919 * krino kree'-no properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish:--avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.]

e. who [Strong: 3588 * ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

f. believed [Strong: 4100 * pisteuo pist-yoo'-o from 4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.]

g. not [Strong: 3361 * me may a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]

h. the truth [Strong: 225 * aletheia al-ay'-thi-a from 227; truth:--true, X truly, truth, verity.]

1). Albert Barnes NT Commentary: “So that they may all be condemned who believed not the truth when it was proclaimed to them; but took pleasure in unrighteousness, preferring that to the way of holiness.  Their condemnation was the effect of their refusal to believe the truth; and they refused to believe it because they loved their sins.”

2). These rejected the word of truth, they rejected the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ and they had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2. “…but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

a. but [Strong: 235 * alla al-lah' neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

b. had pleasure [Strong: 2106 * eudokeo yoo-dok-eh'-o from 2095 and 1380; to think well of, i.e. approve (an act); specially, to approbate (a person or thing):--think good, (be well) please(-d), be the good (have, take) pleasure, be willing.]

c. in [Strong: 1722 * en en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

d. unrighteousness [Strong: 93 * adikia ad-ee-kee'-ah from 94; (legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness (of character, life or act):--iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong.]

1). Moses chose faith in God instead of the pleasure of sin.

a). Hebrews 11:24, 25 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

b). Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

c). 1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. 

2). Jesus warned in the parable of the Sower that pleasure can choke the life of God out of our hearts.

a). Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

3). The Apostle Paul warned that many in the last days Church would be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.

a). 2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

b). We must be on guard that we not fall into the trap of seeking pleasure. Sometimes the blessings of God bring pleasures, but we must not seek them or place them before our obedience to God. Those who will eventually accept the anti-Christ will reject the salvation provided for through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and they will revel in unrighteous pleasure, the pleasure of sin.