2:8a

And then: Paul used the Greek word tote (then) to emphasize that the Wicked Person (“man of lawlessness”) cannot be revealed until after the events of 2:7.

the lawless one will be revealed: As in 2:3d and 2:6b, do not try to show who will cause the Wicked Person (“man of lawlessness”) to be revealed. See the notes on those verses.

2:8b

whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth: A literal translation of 2:8b–c could give the impression that Paul was saying that the Lord Jesus would destroy the Wicked Person (“man of lawlessness”) as soon as he appeared. You need to make it clear in your translation that Jesus will not destroy him until after all the events of 2:9–12 have occurred. It is then that Jesus will return and destroy the Wicked Person (“man of lawlessness”).

the Lord Jesus: There is a textual problem with this part of the verse:

(1) Some Greek manuscripts say the Lord Jesus.

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, God’s Word, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), SSA)

(2) Other Greek manuscripts simply say “the Lord”

(King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible)

Obviously there is no difference in meaning between these two. It is recommended that you follow the first option (1), as it has the support of most English versions as well as making clear that Paul was referring to the Lord Jesus here rather than the Lord God.

slay: The Greek anaireō here means “take away, destroy, kill.” In this context it does not mean total destruction but being condemned to everlasting punishment.

with the breath of His mouth: Paul may have been thinking of Isaiah 11:4 here, as the language is very similar. There are three ways to understand this expression:

(1) It is a metaphor that means that Jesus will simply speak a command and the man of lawlessness will be destroyed. For example:

the Lord Jesus will destroy him by what he says (God’s Word)

(God’s Word, SSA)

(2) It is a metaphor that emphasizes how easily Jesus will destroy the man of lawlessness, that is, he will destroy him as easily as simply blowing on him.

(3) It is not a metaphor but is meant literally: Jesus will destroy the man of lawlessness by simply blowing on him. For example:

the Lord Jesus will kill him simply by breathing on him (Contemporary English Version)

(Contemporary English Version)

The majority of commentators agree that this is a metaphor. Most English versions translate it literally. If you decide to explain the meaning, the first option (1) is recommended because it fits well with many other scriptures that speak of things happening because God or Jesus spoke (for example, creation).

2:8c

The two clauses 2:8b and 2:8c show parallel ideas.

and annihilate: In this context the Greek verb katagreō, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as annihilate, means “to abolish, render powerless.”

by the majesty of His arrival: That is, “by the manifestation of his coming.”

majesty: This Greek word, epiphaneia, can mean one of two things in this context:

(1) It means “the outward show that accompanies the appearance.” Versions that follow this meaning use an English word such as majesty.

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Good News Translation, King James Version, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(2) It simply means “appearing” and therefore means more or less the same thing as the next noun in the verse, parousia, which the Berean Standard Bible has translated as “arrival.”

(NET Bible, God’s Word, New Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, SSA)

It is recommended that you follow the first option (1).

© 2002 by SIL International®

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.