Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
2:7 The power of the coming man of lawlessness (2:3-6) is already at work secretly, like the antichrists of 1 Jn 2:18. • secretly (Greek mustērion): A descriptor commonly used of rituals in the mystery religions (see 2 Thes 2:6). • at work: This connotes supernatural intervention, whether divine (1 Thes 2:13) or, as here, evil (2 Thes 2:9; Eph 2:2). • The one who is holding it back could refer to one who is in opposition to the man of lawlessness; to one who is possessed; or to Satan, the one who possesses (2 Thes 2:9; see study note on 2:6).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
2:7 The power of the coming man of lawlessness (2:3-6) is already at work secretly, like the antichrists of 1 Jn 2:18. • secretly (Greek mustērion): A descriptor commonly used of rituals in the mystery religions (see 2 Thes 2:6). • at work: This connotes supernatural intervention, whether divine (1 Thes 2:13) or, as here, evil (2 Thes 2:9; Eph 2:2). • The one who is holding it back could refer to one who is in opposition to the man of lawlessness; to one who is possessed; or to Satan, the one who possesses (2 Thes 2:9; see study note on 2:6).
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.
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,
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
το γαρ μυστηριον ηδη ενεργειται της ανομιας μονον ο κατεχων αρτι εως εκ μεσου γενηται
King James Versionⓘ
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
For the secret of evil is even now at work: but there is one who is keeping back the evil till he is taken out of the way.