John Bengel Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 2:7 - 2:7

Online Resource Library

Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | Download

John Bengel Commentary - 2 Thessalonians 2:7 - 2:7


(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)

This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

2Th 2:7. Γὰρ, for) Hereby is given the reason why he just before spoke of the revelation as still future [2Th 2:6]. For there is subjoined μυστήριον, the mystery, which is already present.[16]-[17]ἐνεργεῖται, is at work) The verb is in the middle voice (as Rom 7:5), with the personification, indicating the most secret conduct of the enemy.-μόνον, only) This word shows, not the short continuance of the person, or power, “who holdeth back” the evil, nor the speedy full realization of the event, but the fact of the person or power who holdeth it back being the one and only check to its development. ἕως, until, presently after, denotes delay. The subject is, he, who now holdeth back [‘letteth’]: the predicate is elliptical, holdeth back, or continues to be in the way, till he be taken out of the way or ceases to exist, so that he can nowhere be a hindrance to the Iniquitous one [‘Wicked’]. The power of him that holdeth back, as a whole, possessed of authority [an authoritative whole], has been successively divided into many parts: and yet the Withholding power or person is but one.

[16] Beng. means, The revelation of it is still future; for (γὰρ), though it is in a sense already present and at work, it works now only as a mystery, not as a thing revealed.-ED.

[17] Ἤδη, already) It is the one and the same impurity, diffusing itself over many ages.-V. g.