The term "letteth" is an archaic English word found in the King James Version of the Bible, primarily in 2 Thessalonians 2:7. In modern translations, including the Berean Standard Bible, this term is often rendered as "restrains" or "holds back." The word "letteth" is derived from the Old English "lettan," meaning to hinder or prevent.

Biblical Context

2 Thessalonians 2:7 : "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now restrains it will continue until he is taken out of the way."

In this passage, the Apostle Paul addresses the Thessalonian church concerning the "mystery of lawlessness" and the coming of the "man of lawlessness," often interpreted as the Antichrist. The "one who now restrains" or "letteth" is a subject of much theological debate. The restrainer is believed to be a force or person that holds back the full manifestation of evil until the appointed time.

Interpretations

1. The Holy Spirit: A common interpretation among conservative theologians is that the restrainer is the Holy Spirit. The Spirit's presence in the world, particularly through the Church, acts as a divine barrier against the complete revelation of lawlessness. This view emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in maintaining order and righteousness until the end times.

2. The Church: Some scholars propose that the Church itself, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, serves as the restraining force. The Church's mission to spread the Gospel and uphold moral standards acts as a counterbalance to the forces of evil. This interpretation underscores the importance of the Church's presence and influence in the world.

3. Human Government: Another perspective is that human government, ordained by God to maintain justice and order, functions as the restrainer. This view aligns with the biblical teaching that governing authorities are established by God (Romans 13:1-4) to restrain evil and promote good.

4. An Angelic Being: Some theologians suggest that an angelic being, possibly Michael the Archangel, is the restrainer. This interpretation draws from Daniel 10:13 and 12:1, where Michael is depicted as a protector of God's people, suggesting a role in restraining evil forces.

Theological Significance

The concept of "letteth" or the restrainer is significant in eschatological studies, as it relates to the timing and unfolding of end-time events. Understanding who or what restrains the "mystery of lawlessness" provides insight into God's sovereign control over history and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom. The restrainer's removal marks a pivotal moment in prophetic timelines, leading to the revelation of the Antichrist and the subsequent return of Christ.

Practical Implications

For believers, the notion of a restraining force offers reassurance of God's active involvement in the world. It encourages Christians to remain vigilant and faithful, knowing that God has set boundaries on evil and that His purposes will prevail. The Church is called to be a light in the darkness, participating in God's restraining work through prayer, evangelism, and righteous living.

That in the Time of this Work the Remembrance of the Holiest ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE NINTH CHAPTER That in the time of this work the remembrance of
the holiest Creature that ever God made letteth more than it profiteth. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the ninth chapter.htm

How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished.
... extinguished. Whence it is well said through Solomon, He that letteth out
water is a well-spring of strifes (Proverbs 17:14). For ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xiv how the silent.htm

The Cloud of Unknowing
... HERE BEGINNETH THE NINTH CHAPTER That in the time of this work the remembrance of
the holiest Creature that ever God made letteth more than it profiteth. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/

But when Ye See Jerusalem with the Army Compassing it About...
... [25] [2913] Learn the example of the fig tree: when it letteth down its branches,
[2914] and putteth [26] forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is come ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xlii but when ye.htm

Here Beginneth a Table of the Chapters
... THE NINTH CHAPTER. That in the time of this work the remembrance of the holiest
creature that ever God made letteth more than it profiteth. THE TENTH CHAPTER. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth a table of.htm

How the Work of this Book Shall be Wrought, and of the Worthiness ...
... This darkness and this cloud is, howsoever thou dost, betwixt thee and thy God,
and letteth thee that thou mayest neither see Him clearly by light of ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the third chapter.htm

That in the Time of this Work a Soul Hath no Special Beholding to ...
... For all sins them thinketh"I mean for the time of this work"alike great in themselves,
when the least sin departeth them from God, and letteth them of ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the fortieth chapter.htm

Impure Zeal
... and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the
men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/impure zeal.htm

"Sin is the Sharpest Scourge. . . . By Contrition we are Made ...
... Confessarius.". [125] MS. "will be cast in.". [126] letteth not Him to love us.
[127] See chap. lxviii. In both passages the Brit. Mus. MS. ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xxxix sin is the.htm

"Two Manners of Sickness that we Have: Impatience, or Sloth ...
... For when we begin to hate sin, and amend us by the ordinance of Holy Church, yet
there dwelleth a dread that letteth us, because of the beholding of our self ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lxxiii two manners of.htm

Letteth (11 Occurrences)
...Letteth (11 Occurrences). 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already
work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. ...
/l/letteth.htm - 9k

Lettest (8 Occurrences)

/l/lettest.htm - 8k

Azazel (3 Occurrences)
... set alive before Yahweh, to make atonement for him, to send him away for Azazel
into the wilderness." In Leviticus 16:26 we read: "And he that letteth go the ...
/a/azazel.htm - 20k

Letting (41 Occurrences)

/l/letting.htm - 19k

Hasteth (32 Occurrences)
... Genesis 24:18 and she saith, 'Drink, my lord;' and she hasteth, and letteth
down her pitcher upon her hand, and giveth him drink. (YLT). ...
/h/hasteth.htm - 15k

Quarrelling (5 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is 'as' when one letteth out water:
Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling. (ASV). ...
/q/quarrelling.htm - 8k

Vehement (10 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of contention is as when one letteth out water;
therefore leave off strife before it become vehement. (DBY). ...
/v/vehement.htm - 11k

Out-place (5 Occurrences)
... And they come in to make sacrifices and burnt-offerings, and Jehu hath set for himself
in an out-place eighty men, and saith, 'The man who letteth escape 'any ...
/o/out-place.htm - 7k

Lifteth (69 Occurrences)
... Exodus 17:11 and it hath come to pass, when Moses lifteth up his hand, that Israel
hath been mighty, and when he letteth his hands rest, that Amalek hath been ...
/l/lifteth.htm - 27k

Let (16815 Occurrences)
... This latter sense is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 the King James Version, "Only
he who now letteth will let," where the Revised Version (British and American ...
/l/let.htm - 8k

What is the mystery of iniquity? | GotQuestions.org

Who / What is the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:6? | GotQuestions.org

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