2 Thessalonians 2:8

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:

And {G2532} then {G5119} shall {G601} that Wicked {G459} be revealed {G601}, whom {G3739} the Lord {G2962} shall consume {G355} with the spirit {G4151} of his {G846} mouth {G4750}, and {G2532} shall destroy {G2673} with the brightness {G2015} of his {G846} coming {G3952}:

Then the one who embodies separation from Torah will be revealed, the one whom the Lord Yeshua will slay with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the glory of his coming.

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.

And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming;

Context

This verse is part of Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians, addressing their concerns and confusion about the timing of the Lord's return and the "day of Christ." Some believed it had already come, causing distress. Paul clarifies that certain events must precede Christ's second coming, including a great "falling away" (apostasy) and the revelation of "that Wicked" – often referred to as the man of lawlessness or son of perdition.

Key Themes

  • The Revelation of Evil: The verse states that "that Wicked" (the Antichrist figure) will be fully revealed. This revelation signifies the culmination of spiritual rebellion and opposition to God's will.
  • Christ's Supreme Authority: Despite the power and deception of "that Wicked," the ultimate authority rests with the Lord. His coming is not merely a return but a decisive act of judgment and victory over all evil.
  • Divine Judgment and Destruction: The verse vividly portrays the ease with which Christ will defeat this ultimate adversary. It emphasizes the swiftness and completeness of divine judgment against wickedness at the Lord's glorious return.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "that Wicked" (KJV) translates the Greek word ho anomos (ὁ ἄνομος), meaning "the lawless one" or "the one without law." This highlights his character as utterly rebellious against God's commands and moral order. The term "consume" (ἀναλόω, analoo) suggests a gradual wasting away or utterly destroying, while "destroy" (καταργέω, katargeo) implies rendering something powerless, inoperative, or bringing to nothing. The "spirit of his mouth" and "brightness of his coming" are powerful metaphors for Christ's irresistible word and glorious presence, echoing prophetic language in Isaiah 11:4, which speaks of the Messiah slaying the wicked with the breath of His lips. The "brightness of his coming" refers to the overwhelming glory of Christ's Parousia (Greek for "presence" or "arrival").

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Thessalonians 2:8 offers immense comfort and assurance regarding the end times. It reminds us that no matter how powerful or deceptive evil forces may seem, Christ's ultimate victory is certain and decisive. This truth encourages steadfastness in faith and a hopeful anticipation of the Lord's return, knowing that He will finally establish His righteous reign and put an end to all wickedness. It calls us to live discerningly, not being swayed by false teachings or the pervasive influence of lawlessness in the world, but to fix our hope on the blessed hope of Christ's glorious appearing.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 19:20

    And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

  • Revelation 19:21

    And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:3

    ¶ Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

  • Isaiah 11:4

    But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

  • Revelation 20:10

    And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

  • Daniel 7:10

    A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

  • Daniel 7:11

    I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld [even] till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
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