WHO IS THE RESTRAINER IN 2 THESSALONIANS 2:6-7

A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO

DR. CHARLES C. RYRIE

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE

THEO-7310

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN ESCHATOLOGY

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28 FEBRUARY 2007

2WHO IS THE RESTRAINER IN 2 THESSALONIANS 2:6-7

I. Various Views of The Restrainer In 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7.

There have been two major views in church history concerning the restrainer of 2

Thessalonians 2:6-7, and many minority views. The first major view held is typically a reformed

interpretation of this passage which seems to be based on the battle of the reformation, and in

turn sees the restrainer as that which kept Roman Catholicism and the papacy from developing

and ruling. Albert Barnes, an advocate of this view, notes that the restrainer is some agency or

state of things under the control of an individual, or of some civil power, that then operated as a

restraint, and then states that it was probably a civil power.1 The Geneva reformers stated

that the restrainer was the empire of Rome.2 The Methodist leader John Wesley narrowed this

thought by stating the restrainer was the power of the Roman emperors, and then gave such

specifics as the emperors, heathen or Christian; the kings, Goths or Lombards; the Carolingian

or German emperors.3 The reformed Baptist commentator John Gill adds the reason for the

restrainer as the Roman emperor because:

while this empire lasted, and the emperors wore the imperial crown, and sat on the throne,

and held the government in their hands, the popes could not come at the height of their

ambition, dignity, and authority, nor shine in their glory; nor could the whore of Babylon

1 Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes Notes On The Bible (Computer File: E-Sword, Version 7.7.7),

note on 2 Thessalonians 2:6.

2 1599 Geneva Bible Translation Notes (Computer File: E-Sword, Version 7.7.7), note on 2

Thessalonians 2:7.

3 John Wesley, John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible (Computer File: E-Sword,

Version 7.7.7), note on 2 Thessalonians 2:6,7.

3take her seat, and sit upon the seven hills of Rome until the Roman emperor was taken out

of the way.4

This view of the restrainer seems to be a misunderstanding of the concept of Antichrist,

spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2 as the man of sin and son of perdition. The Apostle John, in

1 John 2:18 states that you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have

come.5 This view has made the Pope of Rome the Antichrist, instead of recognizing that he is

an antichrist, and could become the Antichrist in the future. Since this position understands

the Pope of Rome as the Antichrist, instead of an antichrist, it in turn needs to interpret this

passage as already fulfilled, and so makes the Roman empire the restrainer. While the Pope of

Rome could one day become the Antichrist, he is currently just one of many antichrists, and

it is not necessary to see the restrainer as fulfilled in the Roman empire.

Another argument against this view is that the Pope of Rome has not and currently does

not fulfill the actions of the man of sin and son of perdition as described in 2 Thessalonians

2 and other passages concerning the Antichrist. The idea that the Pope of Rome fulfills all the

actions of the Antichrist can only be argued if one takes the descriptions spiritually instead of

literally. However, a literal reading of this chapter gives the understanding that the Antichrist

and his work is yet to come, and has not yet been fulfilled by any individual, and so the Roman

empire cannot be the restrainer of the man of sin and son of perdition.

4 John Gill, John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible (Computer File: E-Sword, Version 7.7.7),

note on 2 Thessalonians 2:6.

5 Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, King James

Version (Cambridge: 1769).

4Some of the minority views on the restrainer include it being the Jewish State, the

principle of law and order as found in human government,6 the preaching of the Gospel, the

binding of Satan, the providence of God, and Michael the Archangel.7 These views will not be

dealt with in this paper.

The second major view concerning the restrainer, which will be the concept defended in

this paper, defines the restrainer as God indwelling His church by the Holy Spirit.8 One

proponent of this position, John Nelson Darby, explained the restrainer as the assembly, that is,

as composed of the true members of Christand consequently the Holy Ghost as the

Comforter.9 This position holds that after the rapture of the Church, then the man of sin and

son of perdition, i.e., Antichrist, will be revealed. It is the Church and its influence and work

by the power of the Holy Spirit in the world that labors to restrain the mystery of iniquity (2

Thessalonians 2:10) and the coming man of sin. One commentary which does not hold to the

Spirit and Church being the restrainer, still rightly notes that the elect Church, and the Spirit in

her, are the great hindrance to the rise of the apostasy.10

6 William MacDonald, Believers Bible Commentary, ed. by Art Farstad (Nashville: Thomas

Nelson Publishers, 1989), 2054.

7 John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible (Nashville: Word Publishing, 1997), 1854.

8 Charles Caldwell Ryrie, The Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago: Moody Press, 1994), 1860.

9 John Nelson Darby, Synopsis of the Old and New Testaments (Computer File: E-Sword,

Version 7.7.7), note on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17.

10 Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Computer File: E-Sword, Version

7.7.7), note on 2 Thessalonians 2:6.

5II. Exposition of 2 Thessalonians 2:1-7.

Paul the Apostle is addressing the church of the Thessalonians (1:1) in this epistle of 2

Thessalonians. Thessalonica was located at the northwestern extremity of the Aegean Sea, and

was the chief and most populated city in Macedonia. Paul was instrumental in leading many in

this church to the Lord through the proclamation of the Scriptures (Acts 17:2), including

some of the Jews, a devout multitude of Greeks, and not a few of the leading women (Acts

17:4).

Chapter two begins by Paul speaking to the brethren (2:1) of the church, exhorting

them to not be disturbed in four things, mindspiritword, nor by letter as from us

concerning the day of Christ is at hand. Paul challenged the church not to be disturbed, first,

by mind, meaning they should stay calm in their mental faculties, including their thinking and

judging, thoughts, feelings, purposes, [and] desires.11 Secondly, do not be disturbed by spirit,

meaning prophetic utterances of individuals in Christian assemblies, claiming the authority of

divine revelations.12 Third, do not be disturbed by word, meaning any kind of oral message,

whether teaching in the church or personal communication. Fourth, nor by letter as from us,

meaning that someone had possibly written a letter claiming to be written from Paul, Silas, and

Timothy (1 Thessalonians 1:1 and 2 Thessalonians 1:1), and the Thessalonians should not be

disturbed by this fraudulent correspondence. This is probably why Paul wrote in the end of this

letter that the salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I

11 Joseph H. Thayer, s.v. , Thayers Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament

(Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1896; reprint, Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 2002), 429.

12 Marvin R. Vincent, Vincents Word Studies (Computer File: E-Sword, Version 7.7.7), note on

2 Thessalonians 2:2.

6write (2 Thessalonians 3:17). This would emphasize that this truly was a letter from the

Apostle, and not a forgery like what he speaks of here. The idea that people in and outside the

church were disturbing the Thessalonian Christians in these four different ways is affirmed by

verse 3, where Paul states let no man deceive you, as well as chapter 3 verse 6 where Paul told

the church to withdraw from any who did not walk after the traditionreceived of us.

Paul was warning the believers not to be disturbed in these four areas concerning the

day of Christ13 being at hand (2 Thessalonians 2:2). The phrase at hand is ENESTEKEN

(), and is perfect active indicative of ENISTEMI (), which means to place in

or among, to put in, but in this tense means close at hand, present14 or imminent. It seems

that some in the Thessalonian church were teaching that Christ was going to come at any

moment to the earth, and so they were possibly neglecting their responsibilities as citizens and

believers (2 Thessalonians 3:11, 13) by misusing this doctrine of immanency. It is possible that

the some in Thessalonica were teaching this because the church was suffering such severe

persecution that it was easy for them to think that they were already in the first part of the Day of

the Lord, i.e., the Tribulation Period.15 Instead of the Church being in the Day of the Lord, or

about to undertake in the day of the Lord, Paul appeals to the church by the coming of the Lord

13 There is a textual difference between the Majority text/Textus Receptus and Critical text

concerning the word Christ. The Nestle-Aland 26th/27th edition text reads Lord (),

while the Robinson-Pierpont Byzantine text and Textus Receptus reads Christ (). Both

refer to the same eschatological event of the return of Christ in judgment to the earth.

14 Thayer, s.v. , Thayers Greek-English Lexicon ,216.

15 MacDonald, Believers Bible Commentary, 2052.

7Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him (2 Thessalonians 2:1). Paul had already

taught the Thessalonian Christians about this truth in first epistle to them (I Thessalonians 4:16-

17). This would be the time when believers would be gathered together to meet Jesus Christ

(John 14:3; 21:23; 1 Corinthians 15:50-52), commonly known as the rapture of the Church. In

other words, Paul is appealing to the Thessalonians on the basis of the rapture that they do not

have to be shaken in mind (2 Thessalonians 2:2), because they will be taken home to

heaven[at the rapture]and will thus escape the horrors of the Day of the Lord.16

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 continues this theme by explaining what must come before the

return of Christ to the earth for the Day of the Lord. Paul gives four things that must happen

before the Day of the Lord:

1. There will be a falling away, the Greek word APOSTASIA (), referring to a

departing from the Lord Jesus Christ. It seems that people will turn from Gods truth to worship

the Antichrist, who will set himself up in Gods temple and claim to be God17 following the

rapture of the Church.

2. One who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is

worshipped, known as the man of sin and son of perdition will be revealed. The phrase man

of sin, also expressed in the English Standard Version as man of lawlessness,18 emphasizes

16 Ibid., 2053.

17 Thomas L. Constable, 2 Thessalonians in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New

Testament Edition, ed. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1983), 718.

18 The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Bibles, A Division of

Good News Publishers, 2001).

8that this person lives outside of the laws established of God.19 The phrase son of perdition is

also used in John 17:12 in reference to Judas, the betrayer of Jesus. Perdition is the Greek word

APOLEIAS (), meaning destruction, utter destruction, ruin.20 This implies that this

person is destined to eternal judgment, and that is all that can come from his character.

Revelation 17:8 and 17:11 state that the Beast will go into perdition, leading many to believe

that this person referenced here in 2 Thessalonians 2 is the Beast of Revelation 17.

3. This man of sin will sit in the temple of God. While many reformed commentators

take this spiritually, referring to the church as the temple of God (I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 2

Corinthians 6:16), this seems to be a literal statement referring to the literal Jewish temple, as

described in Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11, Matthew 24:15, and Mark 13:14. The view that the

restrainer is the Roman Empire is based off of the understanding that this is not a literal, rebuilt

temple in Israel, but is instead the assemblies of Christ on this earth. This view states that the

Antichrist, who is the Pope of Rome, is now ruling and reigning over apostate Christendom,

which is the temple of God. However, if one reads the texts used to support this view, it is found

that the temple of God in those verses is not talking about the local Christian assemblies, but

instead the regenerated followers of Christ. I Corinthians 3:16 states: Know ye not that ye are

the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? This verse clearly demonstrates

that the spiritual temple of God is the regenerated Christians, as they have the Holy Spirit

indwelling them. This cannot be taken to speak of the local assemblies, and it seems the Roman

19 Paul N. Benware, Understanding End Times Prophecy, A Comprehensive Approach (Chicago:

Moody Press, 1995), 249.

20 Thayer, s.v. , Thayers Greek-English Lexicon, 70-71.

9Empire restrainer view falls if that is the case. A major evidence for this being the literal

temple of Israel is that the apostle John saw this as a literal event during the end times when the

Beast would set up an image of himself to be worshipped (Revelation 13:14-15), in agreement

with Daniels prophecy that Antichrist would stop the sacrifices in the temple (Daniel 9:27), and

the Lord Jesus statement that his abomination of desolation would be in the holy place of

the temple (Matthew 24:15).

4. This man of sin will proclaim himself to be God. This is further confirmation that

the man of sin is the Beast of Revelation 17, or the Antichrist. The prefix ANTI in

ANTICHRISTOS () can refer to substitution or opposition,21 and here the man of

sin is substituting himself as God by shewing himself to be God.

Paul then reminded the Thessalonian church in verse 5 that when he was last with them,

he had told them these things. Told is the Greek verb ELEGON (). ELEGON is in

the imperfect tense and suggests repeated action in the past. This means that Paul had on

numerous occasions taught them the details of Gods future plans.22

Verses 1-5 build up the context of verses 6-7, which deal with the issue of the restrainer.

Verse 6 states And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. The

conjunction and, in the Greek language KAI (), begins this verse, connecting what Paul just

21 Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures In The New Testament (Computer File: E-Sword,

Version 7.7.7), note on 1 John 2:18.

22 MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible, 1854.

10

gave to the Thessalonians in the immediate context. The same subject continues, but the

emphasis shifts to what is presently restraining the revelation of the man of sin.23

Paul states And ye know what witholdeth. Know is the verb OIDATE (), and

means to know, of anything, to get knowledge of, understand, perceive.24 This is in the perfect

tense, signifying that the Thessalonians had a once for all obtained and continuing knowledge of

what witholdeth. No doubt Paul had taught them about what witholdeth during a previous

visit with the church (2:5). Withholdeth, KATECHON (), is a verb in the present tense

which is neuter in gender, and means to hold back, detain, retain to restrain, hinder.25 The

English Standard Version translates this phrase what is restraining. John Gill has suggested

that KATECHON answers to the Hebrew word ATSAR (),26 which means to restrain,

retain, close up, shut, withhold, refrain, stay, detain.27 This word is found in the Hebrew Bible

(Genesis 20:18; Judges 18:7; 1 Samuel 9:17; 2 Chronicles 13:20; Jeremiah 20:9), and is

translated in the King James Version close up, magistrate, reign, recover, and shut up. The

word is used in three of these passages speaking of kings, who by their laws and government

23 Constable, 2 Thessalonians in The Bible Knowledge Commentary,719.

24 Thayer, s.v. , Thayers Greek-English Lexicon, 172-174.

25 Ibid., s.v. , 339-340.

26 Gill, John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, note on 2 Thessalonians 2:6.

27 F. Brown, S. Driver, and C. Briggs, s.v. ,The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English

Lexicon (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1906; reprint, Peabody: Hendrickson

Publishers, Inc., 1999), 783.

11

restrain and withhold people from doing what they would; to which the apostle [Paul], who well

understood the Hebrew language, doubtless had reference.28

The Holy Spirit of God seems to be the only person in 2 Thessalonians 2:6 who would fit

the description of the KATECHON and have the power to restrain the man of sin or son of

perdition. A common objection to the view that this is referring to the Holy Spirit is that what

withholdeth is neuter in gender, and it is felt that the Holy Spirit should be referred to in the

masculine. However, there are two other indisputable passages in the Apostle Johns writings

which discuss the Holy Spirit as neuter in gender. John 14:26 states the Holy Ghost, whom

the Father will send in my name. Whom in the Greek text is HO (), and is also a neuter

pronoun in reference to the Holy Spirit. John 15:26 states that the Holy Spirit, which

proceedeth from the Father. Again, the pronoun which in Greek is HO (), and is a neuter

pronoun in reference to the Holy Spirit. Since there are other Scriptures which speak of the Holy

Spirit as being neuter in gender, it is not a sufficient reason to discredit the idea that the restrainer

can not be the Spirit. Also, verse 7 of this chapter will again speak of the restrainer, but that time

in the masculine gender, affirming this could be the person of the Holy Spirit.

Paul continues verse 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in

his time. The withholder, or restrainer, is stopping he, the man of sin and son of

perdition, who might be revealed. Revealed () is a Greek verb which means

to uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up, disclose, to make known, make

manifest, disclose what before was unknown.29 This verb is in the aorist tense, meaning that his

28 Gill, John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, note on 2 Thessalonians 2:6.

29 Thayer, s.v. , Thayers Greek-English Lexicon, 62.

12

future coming will be a single act done at a particular time. Paul states that the man of sin will

be revealed in his time. Time is the Greek word KAIROI (), and is a noun in the dative

case which is defined as a fixed and definite time, the time when things are brought to crisis, the

decisive epoch waited for.30

In verse 7 of chapter 2, Paul continues: For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:

only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. The word mystery is a

noun in the nominative case that is singular in person, and is the Greek word MUSTERION

(), meaning a hidden thing, secret, mystery.31 Since this word is singular, it seems

to be pointing back to the man of sin spoken of in verse 3 who will be revealed. This word

implies that this persons identity is currently hidden, but will one day be revealed. In other

words, Paul is stating that while the Antichrists iniquity is already at work in the world, he will

not be revealed until the restrainer is removed, and then the mystery of iniquity will reveal itself

in the person and power of the Antichrist. The word iniquity is a noun in the genitive case

which is also singular in person, and is the Greek word ANOMIAS (), meaning the

condition of without law.32 This tells us that there is already a spirit of lawlessness in the world

even while the restrainer is present in the earth. However, the lawlessness will not be revealed

(2:6) in a person until the restrainer is removed.

30 Ibid., s.v. , 318-319.

31 Ibid., s.v. , 420.

32 Ibid., s.v. , 48.

13

The word work is the Greek verb ENERGEITAI (), meaning to be

operative, be at work, put forth power.33 In Pauls day there were already many false teachers in

the churches, as well as a spirit of lawlessness in the world. While it was already at work at that

time, Paul is emphasizing that it will find itself fully displayed when the restrainer is removed

and the man of sin is revealed.

Verse 7 of chapter 2 continues, only he who now letteth will let. The word now is the

Greek adverb ARTI (), meaning just now, this moment, at this time.34 Paul is emphasizing

with the use of the adverb ARTI that at his present time of writing the restrainer, the one who

now letteth, was at work. The word letteth as the King James Version translators rendered it

meant in their day to retard; to hinder; to impede,35 although today it has a different meaning.

The word letteth () is a verb which is singular in person and masculine in gender, and

means to hold back, detain, retain.36 This phrase is accurately translated in the English

Standard Version only he who now restrains it will do so. This he (masculine gender)

restrainer is the Holy Spirit, as one of the purposes of the Spirit of God as given by Jesus is to

reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8). It must be asked

when will the Holy Spirit of God be taken out of the way? The verb taken is GENETAI

33 Ibid., s.v. , 215.

34 Ibid., s.v. , 75.

35 Noah Webster, s.v. let, Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary of American English (Computer File:

E-Sword, Version 7.7.7).

36 Thayer, s.v. , Thayers Greek-English Lexicon, 339-340.

14

(), and is in the second aorist tense and subjunctive mood. The text states that the

restrainer will restrain, until he be taken out of the way. The word way is the Greek word

MESOU (), and is defined as in the midst of, amongst.37 This question could also be

stated as When will the Spirit of God be taken from our midst?

This is an important question as the Holy Spirit of God is omnipresent, as He is God, and

so He has Gods attributes. In Psalm 139:7, David asked the rhetorical question: Whither shall I

go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? The answer is that one can not

escape the Spirit of God, as He is everywhere. This is one of the common objections to the view

that the Holy Spirit of God is the restrainer, for verse 7 states that the restrainer will be taken

out of the way. How does one reconcile the Holy Spirits omnipresence with the fact that He

will be taken out of the way? The answer is found in the ministry of the Holy Spirit to believers.

The Scriptures teach that at the time of salvation, the Holy Spirit regenerates and indwells

an individual (John 3:6; Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 6:19), baptizes them (Acts 11:16; I

Corinthians 12:13), and then seals them until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). The

Spirit then continues to fill the believer, empowering one to live a Godly life when yielded to

Him and subject to His will (John 14:16; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:18). This New Testament

ministry of the Spirit of God is different from His ministry in the Old Testament economy, in

which he just dwelt with believers, unlike Pentecost forward when He now dwells in them (John

14:17). As a Christian yields to the Spirit, he becomes what Jesus called the salt of the earth

and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14). One of the main functions of salt is that of being

a preservative, keeping food from going rotten or decaying. In the same way salt is a

preservative, so the Spirit filled believer should by their lives, instructions, influence, and

37 Ibid., s.v. , 401-402.

15

example, keep the world from moral corruption. The light of the world commonly denotes the

sun, which renders objects visible, shows their form, their nature, their beauties, their

deformities, and dispels darkness. Again, believers who are walking in the Spirit will have an

effect on the world just as the sun does, dispelling the darkness of sin, and showing its evil and

Gods forgiveness with their lives. So, the Spirit of God, as He indwells the believers, works as a

great restrainer in this world. This important fact helps to answer the question When will the

Spirit of God be removed?, especially as it relates to His omnipresence. Paul had already

answered when the believers would be removed from this world in his previous epistle. In I

Thessalonians 4:16-17, Paul stated:

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the

archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we

which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the

Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

When the believers are removed from this earth at the rapture of the church, at that time

the Spirits ministry of indwelling believers will end, and He will return to His ministry before

Pentecost of dwelling with believers. Jesus taught in John 14:17, before the special coming of

the Spirit at Pentecost, that the Spirit dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. He will still be

in the world, convicting people of sin and leading them to saving faith in Christ38 after the

rapture, but His ministry of restraining the man of Sin through the presence of the Church will

have ceased, as He will no longer be indwelling and sealing believers in the same way He did in

the New Testament economy. Once the Spirit of God indwelling the Church is removed, the

Updated New American Standard Version tells us that the lawless one will be revealed (2:8)

38 MacDonald, Believers Bible Commentary, 2055.

16

whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false

wonders.39 This is the man of sin, the son of perdition, the Antichrist.

In summary, Paul is warning the Thessalonians not to be shaken in mind or troubled

(2:2) because the Day of Christ had not yet come; the Thessalonian Christians were not in

the Great Tribulation because the Rapture had not yet occurred,40 and lastly, the Antichrist had

not yet been revealed because the Holy Spirit was still restraining him.

III. Conclusion Concerning The Restrainer of 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7.

2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 teaches that the restrainer who is withholding the revealing of the

man of sin and son of perdition, commonly known as the Antichrist, is the Holy Spirit now

indwelling the Church. This passage teaches that following the Holy Spirits taking out of the

way as the indweller of the Church at the rapture, then the Antichrist will be revealed with all

deception of wickedness (2:10) so those left on the earth will believe what is false (2:11), and

be judged (2:12) by God throughout the tribulation (Revelation 6-18) and eternity (Revelation

20:11-15).

39 The Holy Bible, Updated New American Standard Bible (La Habra, California: The Lockman

Foundation, 1995).

40 Constable, 2 Thessalonians in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 719.