The Restraining Force in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7
The Restraining Force in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7
Paul writes to the Thessalonians: "Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season" [1], and continues, "For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way" [2]. These verses address a force or figure holding back the appearance of "the man of lawlessness" mentioned earlier in the chapter.
Literary Context
This passage appears within Paul's correction of false teaching about the day of the Lord that had disturbed the Thessalonian church [6]. Paul reminds them that two events must precede Christ's return: a great apostasy and the unveiling of the man of lawlessness [6]. The restraining force functions as a temporal barrier—something or someone preventing the premature revelation of this figure of ultimate rebellion.
The Identity Question
The restrainer's identity has generated extensive debate. The Tyndale commentary catalogs the major proposals: God, the Holy Spirit, the church, the gospel, Paul himself, the emperor, the Roman Empire, or government in general [4]. Each interpretation reflects different assumptions about the nature of eschatological evil and divine sovereignty.
An alternative reading suggests the term may refer not to an opponent of lawlessness but to "something or someone who comes before the man of lawlessness, an agent of the lawlessness active at that time" [4]. In Greek literature, such language could describe demonic possession [4], implying the restrainer might be a preparatory figure rather than an opposing one.
Grammatical Ambiguity
The Greek shifts between neuter ("what is restraining," v. 6) and masculine ("one who restrains," v. 7) forms, complicating identification. The Young's Literal Translation renders verse 7: "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" [3]. This dual gender may indicate either a force and its personal agent, or simply stylistic variation.
Present Activity
Paul emphasizes that "the mystery of lawlessness already works" [2], describing supernatural intervention of an evil character [5]. The restrainer's removal marks a transition from covert to overt rebellion, when the man of lawlessness will be revealed "in his own season" [1]—a divinely appointed time ultimately under God's control, despite the chaos unleashed.
Sources
- 2 Thessalonians “Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. -- 2 Thessalonians 2:6”
- 2 Thessalonians “For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way. -- 2 Thessalonians 2:7”
- II Thessalonians “II Thessalonians 2:7 (YLT) — for the secret of the lawlessness doth already work, only he who is keeping down now <FI>will hinder<Fi> --till he may be out of the way,”
- 2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 2:6: 2:6 what is holding him back: This has been variously identified as God, the Holy Spirit, the church, the gospel, Paul, the emperor, the Roman Empire, or the government. Alternatively, the term may refer to something or someone who comes before the man of lawlessness, an agent of the lawlessness active at that time (2:7-8); in Greek literature, this expression could describe demonic possession. This figure would prepare the way for the man of lawlessness when his time comes (2:3, 8).”
- 2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 2:7: 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).”
- 2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 2:1: 2:1-12 False teaching about the day of the Lord had disturbed the Thessalonian church (2:1-2). Paul reminds them (2:5) that two events will precede that day: a great apostasy and the unveiling of the man of lawlessness (2:3-12). Christ will destroy this man when he returns (2:3, 8), and those who have been deceived will also be judged (2:9-12). 2:1 At the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1:7-10; 1 Thes 2:19; 3:13; 4:15–5:2; 5:23), all of his people will be gathered to meet him. This will occur at the resurrection and rapture of the church (1 Thes 4:13-18).”