2Th 2:7-8 | 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).

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).
2:8 ⁱ Paul announces the doom of the man of lawlessness (cp. 2:3 ^j). Although this figure claims to be divine, places his cult above all other worship (2:4 ^k), and receives power from Satan (2:9 ^l), the Lord Jesus will violently and utterly destroy him (Isa 11:4 ^m).

• splendor: A reference to Christ’s epiphany (1 Tim 6:14 ⁿ; 2 Tim 1:10 ^o; 4:1 ^p, 8 ^q; Titus 2:13 ^r), an alternative description of Christ’s coming (2 Thes 2:1 ^s; 1 Thes 2:19 ^t; 3:13 ^u; 4:15 ^v; 5:23 ^w) or unveiling (2 Thes 1:7 ^x). In ancient literature, an epiphany was the appearance of a deity or a demonstration of divine power that evoked worship.