2Th 2:7 | TNotes | STEP | 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).

a2:7►

b2:3-6►

c1 Jn 2:18►

d2 Thes 2:6►

e1 Thes 2:13►

f2 Thes 2:9►

gEph 2:2►

h2 Thes 2:9►

‏ 2 Thessalonians 2:7

2:7 ^a The power of the coming man of lawlessness (2:3-6 ^b) is already at work secretly, like the antichrists of 1 Jn 2:18 ^c.

• secretly (Greek mustērion): A descriptor commonly used of rituals in the mystery religions (see 2 Thes 2:6 ^d).

• at work: This connotes supernatural intervention, whether divine (1 Thes 2:13 ^e) or, as here, evil (2 Thes 2:9 ^f; Eph 2:2 ^g).

• 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 ^h; see study note on 2:6).