2 Thessalonians 2
The full text of 2 Thessalonians 2 in the Trinity Bible Version — clear modern English, translated from the original Greek. Free to read.
1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters,
2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed—whether by a spirit, a spoken word, or a letter supposedly from us—claiming that the day of the Lord has already come.
3 Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come until the rebellion happens and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
4 He opposes and exalts himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sits in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
5 Don't you remember that when I was still with you I used to tell you these things?
6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at his proper time.
7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; only the one who now holds it back will continue to do so until he is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.
9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the working of Satan, with all kinds of counterfeit power, signs, and wonders,
10 and with every kind of evil deception aimed at those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, so that they believe the lie
12 and so that all will be condemned who did not believe the truth but delighted in wickedness.
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits for salvation through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and belief in the truth.
14 He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope,
17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Translation notes (11)
- 2 Thessalonians 2:1a "Coming" translates the Greek word parousia, the term used throughout for Christ's royal arrival; "being gathered to him" translates the Greek word episynagoges, which recalls the gathering of his people.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:2a "A letter supposedly from us" translates the Greek phrase hos di' hemon, suggesting a forged or misattributed letter. Paul guards his own authority here (see 3:17).
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3a "The rebellion" translates the Greek phrase he apostasia, which can mean a religious falling away (apostasy) or a wider revolt against God. The earliest manuscripts read "man of lawlessness" (Greek anomias); many later Byzantine manuscripts read "man of sin" (Greek hamartias). "Son of destruction" is a Semitic idiom for one destined for ruin.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:4a "Is worshiped" translates the Greek word sebasma, which means an object of worship or a sacred thing. This term was also used of the emperor's worship.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:6a "What is holding him back" translates the Greek phrase to katechon, which is neuter here, referring to a restraining force or thing. In verse 7, it shifts to a person, "the one who holds back." The identity of this restrainer is famously unexplained.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:7a The Greek text here is elliptical, meaning it leaves out words, and lacks a main verb; words are supplied for clarity. "Until he is taken out of the way" translates the Greek phrase heos ek mesou genetai, which could also mean "until he comes/arises from the midst." Both the grammatical structure (syntax) and the identity of the restrainer are debated.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:8a "Breath of his mouth" translates the Greek phrase pneumati tou stomatos, which echoes Isaiah 11:4; the Greek word pneuma means breath or spirit. "Splendor of his coming" translates the Greek phrase epiphaneia tes parousias, which pairs two words that refer to an arrival.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9a "Counterfeit" translates the Greek word pseudous, meaning "of falsehood," and it describes the power, signs, and wonders together, indicating they serve and spring from the lie.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:11a The earliest manuscripts read the present tense "sends" (Greek pempei); some manuscripts read "will send." The present tense reading is followed here.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13a The earliest manuscripts read "as firstfruits" (Greek aparchen); other manuscripts read "from the beginning" (Greek ap' arches). These two phrases are nearly identical in Greek. We follow the reading "firstfruits."
- 2 Thessalonians 2:15a "Teachings" translates the Greek word paradoseis, which literally means "traditions"—what was handed down or passed on.
About this translation
The Trinity Bible Version (TBV) is Trinity Bible's own translation of Scripture, made directly from the original Greek rather than revised from an older English Bible. Completed in 2026, it is the most modern English Bible translation available, and it is exclusive to Trinity Bible. Reading the TBV here on the web is free — the full study edition, with original-language tools and notes on every verse, lives in the Trinity Bible app.
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