2 Thessalonians 2

Often translated “man of lawlessness.” Some ancient copies of Paul’s letter say “man of sin.” Some Bible experts say this Greek description is similar to the Hebrew phrase “son of Belial” (1 Samuel 25:17, King James Version), translated in negative terms such as “worthless man” (New American Standard Bible), “wicked man” (New International Version), and “despicable person” (Common English Bible). Some scholars describe him in Paul’s context as a counterfeit Jesus.

“Son of Destruction,” sometimes translated “son of perdition,” is the same phrase one Bible writer used to describe Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus (John 17:12). As a son of destruction, Judas was a destroyer whose actions led to the crucifixion of his mentor, Jesus. But also as a son of destruction, he was doomed for destruction; he committed suicide (Matthew 27:5). He was a destroyer who was destroyed.

Paul had apparently told the Thessalonians about this earlier. Readers today are left guessing what he was talking about. One guess is that God is the one who’s waiting for the right time to set in motion these events that will lead to the return of Jesus.

Paul uses a phrase sometimes translated as “mystery of lawlessness” (New American Standard Bible). Some scholars say this reads like the opposite of what Paul described as God’s secret plan: “the mystery of his will” (Ephesians 1:9, King James Version). “These mysteries remained secret to people in earlier generations. It’s only now being revealed by the Spirit to the Messiah’s devoted apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 3:5).

“Words from his lips” is often translated “breath of his mouth” (New Living Translation), which in casual English could sound like killer bad breath. It’s nothing of the kind. Bible experts say this is a phrase that links Jesus to a prophecy about the future Messiah from the family of King David: “By his words the wicked will be put to death” (Isaiah 11:4, New Century Version).

A more literal description: “God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false” (New American Standard Bible). Paul, writing in Romans 11:8, said something similar about the Jews, quoting the prophet Isaiah: “The LORD has poured over you a spirit of deep sleep, He has shut your eyes, the prophets; And He has covered your heads, the seers” (Isaiah 29:10, New American Standard Bible). Somehow, God drives the disobedient people even deeper into their delusion. Perhaps as if to say, “You want this? Okay, here’s more of the same.”

Sanctification