2 Thessalonians 2:3
New International Version
Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

New Living Translation
Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction.

English Standard Version
Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

Berean Standard Bible
Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed.

Berean Literal Bible
No one should deceive you in any way, because it is not until the apostasy shall have come first, and the man of lawlessness shall have been revealed--the son of destruction,

King James Bible
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;

New King James Version
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

New American Standard Bible
No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

NASB 1995
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

NASB 1977
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

Legacy Standard Bible
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it has not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

Amplified Bible
Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed],

Christian Standard Bible
Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.

American Standard Version
let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,

Contemporary English Version
But don't be fooled! People will rebel against God. Then before the Lord returns, the wicked one who is doomed to be destroyed will appear.

English Revised Version
let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Don't let anyone deceive you about this in any way. [That day cannot come unless] a revolt takes place first, and the man of sin, the man of destruction, is revealed.

Good News Translation
Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. For the Day will not come until the final Rebellion takes place and the Wicked One appears, who is destined to hell.

International Standard Version
Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, for it will not come unless the rebellion takes place first and the man of sin, who is destined for destruction, is revealed.

Majority Standard Bible
Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of sin?the son of destruction?is revealed.

NET Bible
Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not arrive until the rebellion comes and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.

New Heart English Bible
Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

Webster's Bible Translation
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;

Weymouth New Testament
Let no one in any way deceive you, for that day cannot come without the coming of the apostasy first, and the appearing of the man of sin, the son of perdition, who sets himself against,

World English Bible
Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
do not let anyone deceive you in any way, because if the departure may not come first, the man of lawlessness may [not] be revealed—the son of destruction,

Berean Literal Bible
No one should deceive you in any way, because it is not until the apostasy shall have come first, and the man of lawlessness shall have been revealed--the son of destruction,

Young's Literal Translation
let not any one deceive you in any manner, because -- if the falling away may not come first, and the man of sin be revealed -- the son of the destruction,

Smith's Literal Translation
Let none deceive you in any manner: for, except an apostasy come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Let no man deceive you by any means, for unless there come a revolt first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Let no one deceive you in any way. For this cannot be, unless the apostasy will have arrived first, and the man of sin will have been revealed, the son of perdition,

New American Bible
Let no one deceive you in any way. For unless the apostasy comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one doomed to perdition,

New Revised Standard Version
Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, unless it is preceded by a rebellion, and the man of sin be revealed as the son of perdition,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Let no man deceive you by any means, to the effect that surely no revolt will first come and The Man of Sin, The Son of Destruction, be revealed,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day will not come, unless the apostasy come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,

Godbey New Testament
Let no one deceive you in any way: because unless there may first be an apostasy and the man of lawlessness may be revealed, the son of perdition,

Haweis New Testament
Let no man deceive you in any way: because that cannot be till the apostasy come first, and the man of sin appear, the son of perdition,

Mace New Testament
don't be led into any mistake, because the previous rebellion does not yet appear, nor the man of sin throw off the disguise, that offspring of perdition:

Weymouth New Testament
Let no one in any way deceive you, for that day cannot come without the coming of the apostasy first, and the appearing of the man of sin, the son of perdition, who sets himself against,

Worrell New Testament
Let no one deceive you in any manner; because that day will not come, unless the falling away come first, and the man of lawlessness be revealed?the son of perdition;

Worsley New Testament
Let not any one deceive you by any means; for it shall not come till there come an apostasy first, and the man of sin be revealed,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Man of Lawlessness
2not to be easily disconcerted or alarmed by any spirit or message or letter seeming to be from us, alleging that the Day of the Lord has already come. 3Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness— the son of destruction— is revealed. 4He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.…

Cross References
Matthew 24:10-12
At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another, / and many false prophets will arise and deceive many. / Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.

1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

1 John 2:18-19
Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour. / They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.

Daniel 7:25
He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.

Revelation 13:5-7
The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for 42 months. / And the beast opened its mouth to speak blasphemies against God and to slander His name and His tabernacle—those who dwell in heaven. / Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

1 John 4:1-3
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. / By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, / and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time.

Daniel 11:36-37
Then the king will do as he pleases and will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will speak monstrous things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been decreed must be accomplished. / He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers, nor for the one desired by women, nor for any other god, because he will magnify himself above them all.

Revelation 17:12-14
The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings along with the beast. / These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast. / They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”

2 Peter 2:1-3
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.

Mark 13:22
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

Daniel 8:23-25
In the latter part of their reign, when the rebellion has reached its full measure, an insolent king, skilled in intrigue, will come to the throne. / His power will be great, but it will not be his own. He will cause terrible destruction and succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men along with the holy people. / Through his craft and by his hand, he will cause deceit to prosper, and in his own mind he will make himself great. In a time of peace he will destroy many, and he will even stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be broken off, but not by human hands.

Revelation 19:20
But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

1 John 2:22
Who is the liar, if it is not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son.

Ezekiel 38:10-12
This is what the Lord GOD says: On that day, thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will devise an evil plan. / You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will come against a quiet people who dwell securely, all of them living without walls or bars or gates— / in order to seize the spoil and carry off the plunder, to turn a hand against the desolate places now inhabited and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and possessions and who live at the center of the land.’


Treasury of Scripture

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;

no man.

Matthew 24:4-6
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you…

1 Corinthians 6:9
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

Ephesians 5:6
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

except.

1 Timothy 4:1-3
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; …

2 Timothy 3:1-3
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come…

2 Timothy 4:3,4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; …

man.

2 Thessalonians 2:8-10
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: …

Daniel 7:25
And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

1 John 2:18
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

the son.

John 17:12
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Revelation 17:8,11
The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is…

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Apostasy Appearing Beguile Belief Deceive Departure Destruction Doomed Except Faith Falling False. First Manner Means Occurs Perdition Rebellion Revealed Revelation Sets Sin Unless Way Words
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2 Thessalonians 2
1. Paul urges them to continue stedfast in the truth received;
3. shows that there shall be a departure from the faith,
9. and a discovery of Antichrist, before the day of the Lord comes;
15. repeats his exhortation to stand firm, and prays for them.














Let no one deceive you
This phrase serves as a stern warning from the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonian church. The Greek word for "deceive" is "ἐξαπατάω" (exapatao), which means to lead astray or beguile. In the historical context, false teachings and misunderstandings about the return of Christ were prevalent. Paul emphasizes vigilance against deception, underscoring the importance of discernment and adherence to apostolic teaching. This call to spiritual alertness is timeless, urging believers to remain grounded in truth amidst a world filled with misleading doctrines.

in any way
The phrase "in any way" broadens the scope of potential deception, indicating that falsehood can come through various channels—be it through spoken word, written letters, or even spiritual experiences. The Greek "μηδὲν τρόπῳ" (meden tropo) suggests an all-encompassing caution. Historically, the early church faced numerous heresies and false prophets, making this admonition particularly relevant. For contemporary believers, it serves as a reminder to test all teachings against the Scripture, ensuring that no form of deception takes root in their faith journey.

for it will not come
Here, "it" refers to the Day of the Lord, a significant eschatological event. The Greek "ἐὰν μὴ ἔλθῃ" (ean me elthe) implies a conditionality, stressing that certain events must precede this day. This phrase reassures the Thessalonians that they have not missed the return of Christ, as some false teachers claimed. It highlights God's sovereign timeline and the unfolding of prophetic events, encouraging believers to trust in God's perfect plan and timing.

until the rebellion occurs
The "rebellion" is translated from the Greek "ἀποστασία" (apostasia), meaning a falling away or defection. This term suggests a significant departure from faith, possibly indicating a widespread apostasy within the church or society. Historically, apostasy has been a recurring challenge for the church, and this prophecy warns of an intensified future rebellion. It serves as a call to steadfastness, urging believers to hold fast to their faith amidst growing opposition and moral decline.

and the man of lawlessness
This phrase introduces a key eschatological figure, often associated with the Antichrist. The Greek "ἄνθρωπος τῆς ἀνομίας" (anthropos tes anomias) describes a person characterized by lawlessness, embodying opposition to God's order. Historically, this figure has been interpreted as a future leader who will deceive many and oppose Christ. For believers, this serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle between good and evil, encouraging them to remain vigilant and faithful.

the son of destruction
The term "son of destruction" is a Hebraic expression, "υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας" (huios tes apoleias), indicating one destined for ruin or perdition. This title emphasizes the ultimate fate of the man of lawlessness, aligning with scriptural themes of divine justice. Historically, this serves as a reassurance to believers that evil will not prevail, as God's righteous judgment will ultimately triumph. It inspires hope and confidence in God's sovereign justice, encouraging believers to persevere in righteousness.

(3) Let no man . . . by any means.--"Whatever device they may adopt--spirit, letter, or what not--they are deceivers or deceived; do not be duped by them." The form of warning is a mark of St. Paul's style. (Comp. 1Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:6)

For . . . except.--The words between are rightly supplied in our version. Probably, St. Paul's first intention was to turn 2Thessalonians 2:5 differently, as, for instance:" For, except that Man of Sin, &c, ye remember that I told you the day would not come." The length of the sentence made him break off (as he often does) without regard for grammatical completeness.

A falling away.--A great change in the purpose of the sentence will be felt directly "the" is substituted for "a." Only one insignificant MS. omits the definite article; the same article in our version is vigorously rendered "that" before "man of sin." In both cases the purpose is by no means to utter a new, strange prophecy, or to add to the knowledge of the readers, but to remind them of careful teaching given during the first few weeks after their conversion. "That falling away" must undoubtedly imply that the persons so apostatising had formerly held (or, perhaps, still professed to hold) the Christian faith: men cannot fall from ground which they never occupied. This vast and dreadful Apostasy (see Luke 18:8), so clearly and prominently taught of to the ancient Church, and so mysterious to us, is further defined by the following words, as the Apocalypse or Manifestation of the Man of Sin. Of this revelation of Antichrist the same word (apocalypsis) is used which is often used of Christ, as, e.g., 2Thessalonians 1:7; Luke 17:30; and thrice in St. Peter; so that we may expect to recognise him when he comes as clearly as we shall recognise Christ. The conception of the Antichrist is not merely that of an opponent of the Christ, but of a rival Christ: there is a hideous parallelism between the two. . . .

Verse 3. - Let no man deceive you by any means; in any way, not only in any of the foregoing methods, "by spirit, or word, or letter," but in any way whatever. For (that day shall not come). The bracketed words are not in the original, but are correctly supplied for the completion of the sense. Except there come a falling away; or, the apostasy; namely, that apostasy about which the apostle, when in Thessalonica, had instructed his readers. The falling away here alluded to is evidently religious, not political. Hence it cannot be the revolt of the Jews from the Romans, or any of those revolts and disturbances which then occurred in the political world. Nor must we conceive that the man of sin himself is here meant; for this apostasy precedes his coming - prepares the way for his advent; it is not the result, but the cause, of his appearance. The word, then, is to be taken generally to denote that remarkable "falling away" from Christianity concerning which Paul had instructed the Thessalonians (comp. 1 Timothy 4:1-3). First; namely, before the coming of the day of the Lord. And that man of sin; in whom sin is, as it were, personified, as righteousness is in Christ. Be revealed. The apostle considers the man of sin as the counterpart of Christ; as Christ was revealed, so shall the man of sin be revealed. The son of perdition; whose sin necessarily conducts to perdition; not here the perdition of his followers, but his own perdition. The same name which was applied by our Lord to Judas Iscariot (John 17:12).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
{Let} no
μή (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

one
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

deceive
ἐξαπατήσῃ (exapatēsē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1818: To deceive thoroughly. From ek and apatao; to seduce wholly.

you
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

in
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

[any]
μηδένα (mēdena)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3367: No one, none, nothing.

way,
τρόπον (tropon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5158: From the same as trope; a turn, i.e. mode or style; figuratively, deportment or character.

for [ it will not come ]
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

until
ἐὰν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

rebellion
ἀποστασία (apostasia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 646: Defection, apostasy, revolt. Feminine of the same as apostasion; defection from truth.

occurs
ἔλθῃ (elthē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

man
ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

of lawlessness
ἀνομίας (anomias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 458: Lawlessness, iniquity, disobedience, sin. From anomos; illegality, i.e. Violation of law or wickedness.

(the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

son
υἱὸς (huios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of destruction)
ἀπωλείας (apōleias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 684: Destruction, ruin, loss, perishing; eternal ruin. From a presumed derivative of apollumi; ruin or loss.

is revealed.
ἀποκαλυφθῇ (apokalyphthē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 601: To uncover, bring to light, reveal. From apo and kalupto; to take off the cover, i.e. Disclose.


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NT Letters: 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you in any (2 Thess. 2 Thes. 2Th iiTh ii th)
2 Thessalonians 2:2
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