Book of 2 Thessalonians - Chapter 2 - Verse 7

In this verse, the Apostle Paul is addressing the church in Thessalonica about the rise of evil and lawlessness in the world. He refers to the "mystery of iniquity" as the hidden workings of sin and rebellion against God that are already at play in the world. Paul then speaks of a restraining force, known as "he who now letteth," which is holding back the full manifestation of this evil. The phrase "will let, until he be taken out of the way" suggests that there will come a time when this restraining force will be removed, allowing the mystery of iniquity to fully reveal itself. Many scholars interpret this verse as referring to the Holy Spirit's presence in the world through the church, which holds back the full expression of evil. When the church is taken away, either through persecution or the rapture, evil will have free rein until Christ's final victory. This verse serves as a reminder to believers to stay vigilant and stand firm in the face of prevailing evil, trusting in God's ultimate sovereignty.

Many theologians believe that the phrase "the mystery of iniquity" refers to the workings of evil which are already present in the world, even in the time when the Apostle Paul was writing. This mystery, or hidden force of sin and rebellion, is said to be at work behind the scenes, subtly influencing people away from godliness. The phrase "he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way" is a bit more cryptic. Some interpret this as a reference to a restraint on evil that is currently in place, which will be removed at a future time. This could be seen as a reference to the Holy Spirit's work in the world, holding back complete chaos and allowing for the continued spread of the gospel. The removal of this restraint could signal the coming of the end times and the final battle between good and evil. Overall, this verse serves as a warning about the ongoing battle between good and evil, and the importance of remaining faithful in the face of spiritual opposition.