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NASB | 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness [rebellion against divine authority and the coming reign of lawlessness] is already at work; [but it is restrained] only until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way. |
Subject: The Restrainer - Revisited! |
Bible Note: Greetings Ray! I agree with you that the Father could be spoken of as well as the Holy Spirit. But, since I am a trinitarian (as you are too), I would be comfortable using any of the members of the Trinity here. I just think the Holy Spirit would be a little more appropriate since it is He through whom the Father seems to work most often in terms of actions or activities. But, either would be fine! However, concerning v. 6, I don't think that the 'revealing' can refer to Christ for two reasons. 1) First of all, v. 8 is clearing referring to the man of lawlessness being revealed after the restraining influence is gone. And, v. 3 refers to the time when the man of lawlessness will be revealed. It would seem to make sense that the same is being said in v. 6, since it is used twice in this passage with the man of lawlessness as the one being revealed. 2) Secondly, the grammar will not allow your interpretation. If I understood you correctly, you were saying v. 6 would read: "And you know what restrains Him* now,..." and "so that in His time He will be revealed." However, the Greek text says, "And now he/what holds back you know that he may be revealed in his own time". There is no 'Him' in the first clause at all. A smoother translation would be, "And now you know He (or what) is holding back that he may be revealed in his own time." To go your way would imply a self-restraint rather than a restraint being imposed upon someone else. Christ is mentioned in this passage, but His is an appearing and or coming, not a revealing. So, I would vote for both v. 6 and v. 8 being references to the 'revealing' of the man of lawlessness. Paul sure could have made it easier on us in this passage! Whew! :-) Thanks for jumping in Ray! You are more than welcome at any time! :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |