King James Version

What Does 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Mean?

2 Thessalonians 2:3 in the King James Version says “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man o...” — study this verse from 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”

2 Thessalonians 2:3 · KJV

Context

1

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, unto him: or, around him

2

That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

3

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

5

Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

Read 2 Thessalonians 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition—Let no man deceive you (exapatēsē, ἐξαπατήσῃ, thoroughly deceive) warns against any teacher, whatever the method. The day will NOT come except (ean mē, ἐὰν μή) two events occur first.

First: a falling away (apostasia, ἀποστασία)—rebellion, apostasy, departure from faith. Second: that man of sin be revealed (ho anthrōpos tēs anomias, ὁ ἄνθρωπος τῆς ἀνομίας, 'the man of lawlessness'). The son of perdition (ho huios tēs apōleias, ὁ υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας) titles Judas (John 17:12)—this figure is similarly devoted to destruction. Paul identifies the Antichrist without using that term.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish apocalyptic expected a final opponent of God before Messiah's kingdom. Daniel's 'little horn' (Dan. 7:8), the 'abomination of desolation' (Dan. 9:27), and various pseudepigraphal texts described this figure. Paul places him in church-age eschatology as a real, future individual.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the apostasy (falling away) differ from normal unbelief—what makes it unique?
  2. What historical figures have been wrongly identified as 'the man of sin,' and why?
  3. How should certainty about unfulfilled prophecy affect your preparedness for Christ's return?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
μὴ1 of 24

“no”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

τις2 of 24

“man”

G5100

some or any person or object

ὑμᾶς3 of 24

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἐξαπατήσῃ4 of 24

“Let”

G1818

to seduce wholly

κατὰ5 of 24

“by”

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

μηδένα6 of 24

“any”

G3367

not even one (man, woman, thing)

τρόπον7 of 24

“means”

G5158

a turn, i.e., (by implication) mode or style (especially with preposition or relative prefix as adverb, like); figuratively, deportment or character

ὅτι8 of 24

“for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐὰν9 of 24
G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

μὴ10 of 24

“no”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἔλθῃ11 of 24

“there come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἡ12 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀποστασία13 of 24

“a falling away”

G646

defection from truth (properly, the state) ("apostasy")

πρῶτον14 of 24

“first”

G4412

firstly (in time, place, order, or importance)

καὶ15 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀποκαλυφθῇ16 of 24

“be revealed”

G601

to take off the cover, i.e., disclose

ὁ17 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄνθρωπος18 of 24

“that man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

τῆς19 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁμαρτίας,20 of 24

“of sin”

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

ὁ21 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸς22 of 24

“the son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τῆς23 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀπωλείας24 of 24

“of perdition”

G684

ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Thessalonians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Thessalonians 2:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Thessalonians 2:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 24:4-61 John 2:18Ephesians 5:62 Thessalonians 2:8-101 Timothy 4:1-3Daniel 7:25

Test Your Knowledge

2 Thessalonians 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Thessalonians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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