2 Thessalonians 2:10

and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Thessalonian believers, describing the mechanism that will accompany the coming of the lawless one. This verse explains why the deception will succeed with some.

The words — ἀπάτῃ (apatē), "deceit," stands in the dative as the instrument through which the wickedness operates. It is not a one-time trick but a sustained, comprehensive deception (πᾶσῃ ἀπάτῃ, "every deceit").

The thread — The perishing/saved divide echoes 1 Corinthians 1:18, where the same gospel is "foolishness to those who are perishing" and "power to those who are being saved." Proverbs 1:7 identifies the root disposition: despising wisdom and discipline.

Why it lands — The verse locates the cause of perishing not in the deceiver's power but in the subject's prior refusal of truth. It asks the reader to examine whether their resistance to truth is already at work.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Cross-references

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
2 Corinthians 4:2 Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
John 8:45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!
Romans 16:18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
2 Peter 2:12 These men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed.
1 Corinthians 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be under a curse. Come, O Lord!
Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.
Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.
Romans 2:7 To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life.