2 Thessalonians 2:7

2 Thessalonians 2:7

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

a. NLT: For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.

b. NIV: For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.

c. YLT: for the secret of the lawlessness doth already work, only he who is keeping down now will hinder -- till he may be out of the way,

d. Amplified Bible: For the mystery of lawlessness (that hidden principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is already at work in the world, [but it is] restrained only until he who restrains is taken out of the way.

e. Worrell Translation: for the mystery of lawlessness is already working: only He Who hindereth will hinder, until He is taken out of the midst.

f. Wuest Translation: For the mystery of the aforementioned lawlessness is now operating. Only He [the Holy Spirit] who is holding [the lawlessness] down, [will do so] until He goes out from the midst [of humanity].  

1. “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work…”

a. for [1063 * gar] [Strong: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. the mystery [3466 * musterion] [Strong: from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites):--mystery.]

c. of iniquity [458 * anomia; a-without; nomos-the law] [Strong: from 459; illegality, i.e. violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness:--iniquity, X transgress(-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.] [Zodhiates: In most cases in the New Testament it means not the absence of the Law, but the violation

1). I like the Amplified the best. It brings out that it is the planned process that has been implemented, that is being furthered and carried out by the devil; the process itself if carried out to its completion would end in the anti-Christ being on the throne. It is that process which is at work in America or any culture, every country, trying to squash anything to do with the things of God, of Christianity and when successful, fill the vacuum with something neutral or ungodly. I may be wrong but I believe this process has been at work since the fall of Lucifer. It is the process that produces the Hitlers of this world. The evil rulers who arrive on the world stage to suppress and destroy what God is doing in the earth to save and bless mankind.

d. doth… work [1754 * energeo] [Strong: from 1756; to be active, efficient:--do, (be) effectual (fervent), be mighty in, shew forth self, work (effectually in).]

e. already [2235 * ede] [Strong: apparently from 2228 (or possibly 2229) and 1211; even now:--already, (even) now (already), by this time.]

2. “…only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”

a. only [3440 * monon] [Strong: neuter of 3441 as adverb; merely:--alone, but, only.]

b. he who now [737 * arti] [Strong: adverb from a derivative of 142 (compare 740) through the idea of suspension; just now:--this day (hour), hence(-forth), here(-after), hither(-to), (even) now, (this) present.]

c. letteth [2722 * katecho] [Strong: from 2596 and 2192; to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively):--have, hold (fast), keep (in memory), let, X make toward, possess, retain, seize on, stay, take, withhold.] [Zodhiates: hold fast, retain, or hold down, quash suppress.]

d. will let until [2193 * heos] [Strong: of uncertain affinity; a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place):--even (until, unto), (as) far (as), how long, (un-)til(-l), (hither-, un-, up) to, while(-s).]

1). Rick Renner 11/28/16 Although the Greek doesn’t specifically state the identity of the restraining Force in this verse, it seems to suggest that Paul is referring to the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. Think of it — what if the power of the Spirit of God was suddenly withdrawn or removed from the earth? It would be only a brief matter of time before the devil quickly consummated his dream of world domination. You see, the Holy Spirit is the Great Restrainer, and He is holding back this evil from coming to pass in the world today. The King James Version uses the word “withholdeth” to describe this restraining work of the Spirit.

2). There are differences of opinion as to who the “he” is. All of them are smarter than me. Some teach that he is the Holy Spirit, some teach it is the church, the body of Christ. Personally, I do not really know who the “he” is referring to. It could be that the Holy Spirit just backs off restraining evil but continues producing salvation in the lives of men and women, boys and girls in the earth. It is the Holy Ghost that is recreating the human spirit causing people to be born again.

a). Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

3). During the 7 year tribulation period an innumerable number of people get saved, so perhaps it is just the Holy Spirit backing off the restraining part and continues producing the New Birth in the lives of millions and millions.

a). Revelation 7:9-17 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

7:11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they?

7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

7:16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

4). There is another theory that teaches the one who restrains is but is taken out of the way is Michael the Archangel. The teaching is that Michael the Archangel is the angelic prince that watches over Israel and it is only when he is out of the way that Israel can experiences the most horrible persecution that any nation has had to suffer.

a). Daniel 10:20, 21 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

b). Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

5). Some Bible scholars point to civil or religious authority as being the restraining force that keeps evil in check and that is absolutely true. It is one of the purposes of civil government.

a). Romans 13:1-4 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

b). 1 Peter 2:13, 14 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

6). Spiritual religious authority enforcement was used as a deterrent.

a). Deuteronomy 22:22 If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.

b). Judges 20:12, 13 And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?

20:13 Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel:

7). Bottom line I don’t know who the “he” that is restraining evil in this world is, the Church, the Holy Spirit? I don’t know.