B. The Fall of the Man of Lawlessness (2:5-12) - Asbury Bible Commentary

Asbury Bible Commentary – B. The Fall of the Man of Lawlessness (2:5-12)

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B. The Fall of the Man of Lawlessness (2:5-12)

Now, the Man of Lawlessness is being restrained so that he may be revealed at the proper time (v.6) and not before (Marshall, 194). Lawlessness is now present but restrained (v.7).

But what is the restraining power? Several suggestions have been made: a supernatural power, either God or Satan; the principle of law and order; the Jewish state; the Gospel; or the emperor himself. Given Paul’s benign view of the Roman Empire (see Ro 13:1-7), the most likely identity is the empire (Bruce, 171).

Paul could conceive of a time when the empire would not exercise such a restraining influence. At that time, the lawless one will become manifest. His counterfeit signs and wonders will delude those who have refused to accept the truth, making them the victims of their own folly (see Ro 1:18-32).