The Meaning of 2 Thessalonians 2:9 Explained

2 Thessalonians 2:9

KJV: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

YLT: him, whose presence is according to the working of the Adversary, in all power, and signs, and lying wonders,

Darby: whose coming is according to the working of Satan in all power and signs and wonders of falsehood,

ASV: even he , whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

[Even him], whose  coming  is  after  the working  of Satan  with  all  power  and  signs  and  lying  wonders, 

What does 2 Thessalonians 2:9 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 - Untroubled By Threatening Rumors
The Apostle sets himself to correct certain erroneous impressions which had unsettled the church in Thessalonica. Notice how reverently he speaks of our Savior. Once and again he alludes to Him as the Lord Jesus Christ. He is surely coming, and as surely will His saints be gathered to Him, as the drops of moisture are drawn up from ponds and oceans, to cluster in the clouds in radiant beauty around the sun.
But certain events must take place first. There must be a great apostasy and the unveiling of "the mystery of lawlessness," which even at that time was already at work. First, the man of sin; then, the Son of man. First, He that set Himself forth as God; then, God manifest in the flesh. First, the revelation of sin; then, the revelation of perfect salvation. Daniel 11:36 seems to have suggested Paul's words, which have been applied to Nero or Caligula, to Judaism or the Papal Church, and to some future manifestation of Satanic hatred toward the Church of God. But whatever form it may assume, the coming of Jesus will absolutely destroy this power of Antichrist. Let us be warned by the doom of those that are involved in this great apostasy, and ever cherish the love of the truth of Christ, that we may be saved. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Thessalonians 2

1  Paul urges them to continue stedfast in the truth received;
3  shows that there shall be a departure from the faith,
9  and a discovery of Antichrist, before the day of the Lord comes;
15  repeats his exhortation to stand firm, and prays for them

Greek Commentary for 2 Thessalonians 2:9

Whose coming is [ου εστιν η παρουσια]
Refers to ον — hon in 2 Thessalonians 2:8. The Antichrist has his παρουσια — parousia also. Deissmann (Light from the Ancient East, pp. 374, 378) notes an inscription at Epidaurus in which “Asclepius manifested his Παρουσια — Parousia Antiochus Epiphanes is called the manifest god (3 Maccabees 5:35). So the two Epiphanies coincide. [source]
Lying wonders [τερασιν πσευδους]
“In wonders of a lie.” Note here the three words for the miracles of Christ (Hebrews 2:4), power (δυναμις — dunamis), signs (σημεια — sēmeia), wonders (τερατα — terata), but all according to the working of Satan (κατα ενεργειαν του Σατανα — kata energeian tou Satana the energy of Satan) just as Jesus had foretold (Matthew 24:24), wonders that would almost lead astray the very elect. [source]
After the working of Satan []
The sense is that the coming of Antichrist proclaims itself to be according to the working of Satan by means of power, signs, etc. Ενέργεια Popower in exercise, used only of superhuman power. See Colossians 1:29; Colossians 2:12. [source]
Signs and lying wonders [σημείοις καὶ τέρασιν ψεύδους]
Lit. signs and wonders of a lie. Of a lie characterizes the three words, power, signs, wonders. All bear the stamp of fraud. For signs and wonders see on Matthew 24:24, and see on mighty works, Matthew 11:20. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Thessalonians 2:9

Matthew 24:3 Coming [παρουσίας]
Originally, presence, from παρεῖναι , to be present. In this sense in Philemon 2:12; 2 Corinthians 10:10. Also arrival, as in 1 Corinthians 16:17; 2 Corinthians 7:6, 2 Corinthians 7:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Peter 3:12. Of the second coming of Christ: James 5:8; 1 John 2:28; 2 Peter 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:15. [source]
Romans 15:19 In power of signs and wonders [εν δυναμει σημειων και τερατων]
Note all three words as in Hebrews 2:4, only here δυναμις — dunamis is connected with σημεια — sēmeia and τερατα — terata See all three words used of Paul‘s own work in 2 Corinthians 12:12 and in 2 Thessalonians 2:9 of the Man of Sin. See note on 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 Corinthians 2:4 for the “power” of the Holy Spirit in Paul‘s preaching. Note repetition of εν δυναμει — en dunamei here with πνευματος αγιου — pneumatos hagiou [source]
1 Thessalonians 2:19 At his coming [εν τηι αυτου παρουσιαι]
This word παρουσια — parousia is untechnical (just presence from παρειμι — pareimi) in 2 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Corinthians 16:17; 2 Corinthians 7:6.; 2 Corinthians 10:10; Philemon 1:26; Philemon 2:12. But here (also 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 2 Thessalonians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 15:23) we have the technical sense of the second coming of Christ. Deissmann (Light from the Ancient East, pp. 372ff.) notes that the word in the papyri is almost technical for the arrival of a king or ruler who expects to receive his “crown of coming.” The Thessalonians, Paul says, will be his crown, glory, joy when Jesus comes. [source]
2 Thessalonians 2:11 Strong delusion [ἐνέργειαν πλάνης]
Rev., literally and correctly, a working of error. See on working 2 Thessalonians 2:9. The phrase is unique in N.T. It means an active power of misleading. For πλάνη errorwhich shows itself in action, see on 1 Thessalonians 2:3. [source]
Revelation 13:13 That he should even make fire come down out of heaven [ινα και πυρ ποιηι εκ του ουρανου καταβαινειν]
Purpose clause again with ινα — hina and the present active subjunctive of ποιεω — poieō and the object infinitive of καταβαινω — katabainō after ποιει — poiei Christ promised great signs to the disciples (John 14:12), but he also warned them against false prophets and false christs with their signs and wonders (Mark 13:22). So also Paul had pictured the power of the man of sin (2 Thessalonians 2:9). Elijah had called down fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:38; 2 Kings 1:10) and James and John had once even urged Jesus to do this miracle (Luke 9:54). [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Thessalonians 2:9 mean?

whose is - coming according to [the] working - of Satan in every power and in signs in wonders of falsehood
οὗ ἐστιν παρουσία κατ’ ἐνέργειαν τοῦ Σατανᾶ ἐν πάσῃ δυνάμει καὶ σημείοις τέρασιν ψεύδους

οὗ  whose 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
παρουσία  coming 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: παρουσία  
Sense: presence.
κατ’  according  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: κατά 
Sense: down from, through out.
ἐνέργειαν  [the]  working 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐνέργεια  
Sense: working, efficiency.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Σατανᾶ  of  Satan 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Σατανᾶς  
Sense: adversary (one who opposes another in purpose or act), the name given to.
πάσῃ  every 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
δυνάμει  power 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: δύναμις  
Sense: strength power, ability.
σημείοις  in  signs 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: σημεῖον  
Sense: a sign, mark, token.
τέρασιν  in  wonders 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: τέρας  
Sense: a prodigy, portent.
ψεύδους  of  falsehood 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: ψεῦδος  
Sense: a lie.