2 Thessalonians 2:9

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Thessalonians 2:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “[even he], whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

[even he], whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2 Thessalonians 2:9 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Thessalonians 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9[even he], whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan, &c.] That is, as a deceiver, a liar, and a murderer; for such was the working of Satan with our first parents; he seduced Eve, not only by subtlety, but by lying; he abode not in the truth, is the father of lies, and a murderer from the beginning: and such is the working of antichrist his firstborn; he comes in a deceitful way, under a profession of Christ, and a pretension of faith in him, and love to him; but speaks lies in hypocrisy, for such are his doctrines and tenets; and is not only a murderer of the bodies of the saints, but of the souls of men; which are the wares the whore of Babylon deals in: with all power; not omnipotence,…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“whose coming--The same Greek as was used for the Lord's coming (Th2 2:8) or personal "presence." is--in its essential character. after--according to the working ("energy") of Satan, as opposed to the energy or working of the Holy Spirit in the Church (see on Eph 1:19). As Christ is related to God, so is Antichrist to Satan, his visible embodiment and manifestation: Satan works through him. Rev 13:2, "The dragon gave him (the beast) his power . . . seat . . . great authority." lying wonders--literally, "wonders" or "prodigies of falsehood." His "power, signs, and wonders," all have falsehood for their base, essence, and aim (Joh 8:44), [ALFORD]. In Mat 24:24 Jesus implies that the miracles…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan - Greek, κατ ̓ ἐνέργειαν τοὺ Σατανᾶ kat' energeian tou Satana. According to the energy of Satan; that is, the energetic or efficient operation of Satan. The word rendered “after,” it need not be said to one who looks at the Greek, does not refer to time, but is a preposition, meaning according to; in conformity with; meaning that the manner of his appearing would be accompanied by such works as would show that the agency of Satan was employed, and such as he only could produce. It does not mean that the coming of the Lord Jesus would be after Satan had worked in this manner, but that the manifestation of that wicked one would be with…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:9 As Christ will appear in royal and divine power (his parousia; 2:1, 8; 1 Thes 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23), this figure similarly will come (parousia) with a royal entrance.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“is: Joh 8:41, Joh 8:44; Act 8:9-11, Act 13:10; Co2 4:4, Co2 11:3, Co2 11:14; Eph 2:2; Rev 9:11; Rev 12:9, Rev 12:17, Rev 13:1-5, Rev 18:23, Rev 19:20, Rev 20:10 and signs: Exo 7:22, Exo 8:7, Exo 8:18; Deu 13:1, Deu 13:2; Mat 24:24; Mar 13:22; Ti2 3:8; Rev 13:11-15; Rev 18:23, Rev 19:20 2 Thessalonians 2:10”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification