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2 Thessalonians 2:12

That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2 Thessalonians 2:12 · King James Version
Parallel translations
  • WEB that they all might be judged who didn’t believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
  • BSB in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.
  • NKJV that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
  • NASB in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
  • NLT Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

The result is that all who refused the truth and delighted in unrighteousness will be condemned. Judgment falls justly on settled love of evil.

Overview

Paul completes the thought: this delusion leads to a just condemnation of those who "had pleasure in unrighteousness" rather than believing the truth. The pairing of disbelief and delight in sin shows that unbelief is moral as well as intellectual. Against this dark backdrop the grace shown to believers in the next verses shines all the brighter.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 19

  • Rom 1:32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
  • Rom 8:7–8Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
  • Mark 16:16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
  • Rom 2:8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
  • Hos 7:3They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.
  • 2 Pet 2:13–15And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
  • 1 Th 5:9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
  • Ps 11:5The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
  • John 3:36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
  • Jude 1:4–5For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Mark 14:11And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
  • John 3:19–21And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
  • Rom 12:9Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
  • Deut 32:35To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
  • Ps 50:16–21But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
  • Mic 3:2Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;
  • 3 Jn 1:11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
  • Ps 52:3–4Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
  • 2 Pet 2:3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

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Christ at the center

Christ will be revealed from heaven in flaming fire, glorified in his saints, overthrowing the lawless one — the certain hope that steadies the suffering church.

How 2 Thessalonians 2:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.