2 Thessalonians 3:2

3:2 and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil people. For not all have faith.

2 Thessalonians 3:7

3:7 For you know yourselves how you must imitate us, because we did not behave without discipline ¹  among you,

2 Thessalonians 3:11

3:11 For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, ²  not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others. ³ 

2 Thessalonians 2:7

2:7 For the hidden power of lawlessness ⁴  is already at work. However, the one who holds him back ⁵  will do so until he is taken out of the way,

2 Thessalonians 3:10

3:10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.”

[3:7]  ¹ tn This is the verbal form of the words occurring in vv. 6 and 11, meaning “to act out of line, in an unruly way.”

[3:11]  ¹ tn Grk “walking in an undisciplined way” (“walking” is a common NT idiom for one’s way of life or conduct).

[3:11]  ² tn There is a play on words in the Greek: “working at nothing, but working around,” “not keeping busy but being busybodies.”

[2:7]  ¹ tn Grk “the mystery of lawlessness.” In Paul “mystery” often means “revealed truth, something formerly hidden but now made widely known,” but that does not make sense with the verb of this clause (“to be at work, to be active”).

[2:7]  ² tn Grk “the one who restrains.” This gives a puzzling contrast to the impersonal phrase in v. 6 (“the thing that restrains”). The restraint can be spoken of as a force or as a person. Some have taken this to mean the Roman Empire in particular or human government in general, since these are forces that can also be seen embodied in a person, the emperor or governing head. But apocalyptic texts like Revelation and Daniel portray human government of the end times as under Satanic control, not holding back his influence. Also the power to hold back Satanic forces can only come from God. So others understand this restraint to be some force from God: the preaching of the gospel or the working of the Holy Spirit through God’s people.