3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy 2:3 Or rebellion comes first and the man of lawlessness 2:3 Other mss read man of sin is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god 2:4 1Co 8:5 or object of worship, 2:4 Is 14:12–15; Ezk 28:2; Ac 17:23 so that he sits 2:4 Other mss add as God in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God.
5 Don’t you remember that when I was still with you I used to tell you about this? 6 And you know what currently restrains him, so that he will be revealed in his time. 2:6 Lk 21:87 For the mystery of lawlessness 2:7 Mt 13:41 is already at work, but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way, 8 and then the lawless one will be revealed. The Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of his mouth 2:8 Is 11:4; 30:28 and will bring him to nothing at the appearance of his coming.