2 Thessalonians 2:11
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
διὰ
cause
G1223
διὰ
cause
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
2 of 15
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
πέμψει
shall send
G3992
πέμψει
shall send
Strong's:
G3992
Word #:
4 of 15
to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
7 of 15
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
πλάνης
delusion
G4106
πλάνης
delusion
Strong's:
G4106
Word #:
9 of 15
objectively, fraudulence; subjectively, a straying from orthodoxy or piety
εἰς
that
G1519
εἰς
that
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
10 of 15
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πιστεῦσαι
they should believe
G4100
πιστεῦσαι
they should believe
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
12 of 15
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Romans 1:28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;Matthew 24:11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.1 Timothy 4:1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;Ezekiel 21:29Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.1 Thessalonians 2:3For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:Psalms 109:17As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.Matthew 24:5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.Isaiah 66:4I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.Ezekiel 14:9And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
Historical Context
Pharaoh's hardening (Ex. 4-14) provides the Old Testament pattern: God hardens those who first harden themselves. Paul applies this principle eschatologically. Those who reject Christ during gospel proclamation will be divinely confirmed in deception during Antichrist's reign.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God sending delusion differ from God being the author of evil?
- What lies are you tempted to believe because they're more comfortable than truth?
- How should this warning motivate embracing difficult truths now, before judgment hardens you?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie—for this cause (refusing truth-love) God shall send (pempei autois, πέμπει αὐτοῖς, actively sends) strong delusion (energeian planēs, ἐνέργειαν πλάνης, 'working of error/deception'). This is judicial hardening—God gives truth-rejecters over to their chosen lies.
That they should believe a lie (to pseudei, τῷ ψεύδει, 'the lie')—possibly the specific lie that Antichrist is God, or falsehood generally. God doesn't tempt (James 1:13), but He judicially abandons rebels to their delusions (Rom. 1:24, 26, 28). Repeated truth-rejection results in God-given inability to perceive truth. This is terrifying: the worst judgment is getting what you want.