2 Thessalonians 2:8

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Thessalonian church to correct their confusion about the timing of Christ’s return and the preceding end-times events. He addresses their specific fear that the day of the Lord has already arrived.

The words — ἀποκαλυφθὴσεται (apokaluphthēsetai) means "will be revealed," and ἄνομος (anomos) denotes the "lawless one," identifying the central figure of the coming rebellion.

The thread — The figure connects to 2 Thessalonians 2:3, which names the "man of lawlessness" who must appear before the day of the Lord, and to Revelation 19:20, which records the capture of the beast. It also echoes Isaiah 11:4, where divine judgment arrives through a decisive strike rather than human intervention.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that divine authority alone terminates rebellion, requiring readers to reject deception and maintain steadfast expectation.

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 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:

Cross-references

2 Thessalonians 2:3 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.
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.
Isaiah 11:4 but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.
Revelation 20:10 And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Revelation 19:15 And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
Daniel 7:10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.
Revelation 2:16 Therefore repent! Otherwise I will come to you shortly and wage war against them with the sword of My mouth.
Titus 2:13 as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:8 From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him.