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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. |
Bible Question:
When reading scripture this morning, I was curious why "he" is not capitalized since "HE" refers to the Holy Spirit? Thanks, Jim |
Bible Answer: Hi Jim, Welcome to the forum. I hope that when you posed your question you noticed the five or six threads that have already discussed the verse. But since I have changed my interpretation through the years, I will use this time with you to update my thoughts and give that same chance to everyone. I am glad that you use a version that capitalizes pronouns of Deity. You have noticed the lower case for the NASB. The NKJ has upper case "He" with a note in the margin [Or, he] for both of the occcurances. So this is definitely a mystery or "hidden truth". Personally, as a "capitalizer" and a "counter of pronouns of Deity" I have an expectant hope that the mystery is meant to be solved. I have had these pronouns penciled in and adding up to a figure divisible by three for the letter of 2 Thessalonians. But since first starting this study I have changed my choices while still keeping that figure. So my interpretation for verses five through seven, for what it is worth, is as follows. "Do you not remember that while I was with you, I was telling you these things? And you know the One who restrains that one now, so that in his time he may be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only [there is] the One holding it back until it is taken out of the way." I don't know if we can be certain that it is the Holy Spirit who holds back, but the pronoun is Deity. Personally, I think that the He [the One] who now restrains refers back to verse one "and our gathering together to (Him)" and forward to "the appearance of (His) coming", verse 8. I hope some of that is clear. I look forward to hearing your thoughts after you read what others have said here on the forum. Verses to compare/contrast could be: Matthew 24:39 Romans 11:26 1 John 3:5 1 John 5:19 Revelation 20:6-11 From the heart, Ray |