“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
My Notes
What Does 2 Thessalonians 2:10 Mean?
Paul describes the deception that accompanies the lawless one: all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish. The deception is comprehensive (all), unrighteous (morally corrupt), and targeted (in them that perish).
The reason they are deceived: because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. The truth was available. The love of the truth was offered. They refused to receive it. The deception is the consequence of that refusal.
"The love of the truth" — not just the truth itself, but the love of it. You can acknowledge truth without loving it. The people Paul describes did not love the truth — did not want it, did not embrace it, did not receive it with affection.
"That they might be saved" — the love of truth leads to salvation. Refusing it leads to deception. The deception is not random. It is the direct consequence of rejecting the truth that could have saved them.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What is the difference between acknowledging truth and loving truth?
- 2.How does refusing the love of truth open the door to deception?
- 3.Where might you be indifferent to truth rather than loving it?
- 4.How is deception a consequence of rejecting truth rather than a random spiritual attack?
Devotional
With all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish. The deception is total — all deceivableness. Every form of trickery. Every kind of unrighteous manipulation. Aimed at those who are already on the path to perishing.
Because they received not the love of the truth. They had access to truth. The truth was offered. But they did not receive it — and specifically, they did not receive the love of it. They saw the truth and felt no affection for it.
That they might be saved. The love of truth leads somewhere: salvation. The refusal of truth leads somewhere else: deception. The destination is determined by the reception.
The deception is not the cause of the perishing. It is the consequence of refusing truth. God did not deceive them. They refused the truth, and the deception filled the vacuum. When you will not love what is true, you become vulnerable to everything that is false.
Do you love the truth? Not just acknowledge it. Love it — welcome it, embrace it, receive it with affection even when it is uncomfortable. The people Paul describes saw the truth and felt nothing. Their indifference to truth opened the door to the deceivableness that destroyed them.
The love of truth is your protection. The indifference to truth is the open door through which deception enters.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness,.... Not that he deceives, or goes about to deceive, or thinks to deceive…
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness - There are two ideas here. The first is, that there would be deceit; and…
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness - With every art that cunning can invent and unrighteousness suggest, in…
In these words the apostle confutes the error against which he had cautioned them, and gives the reasons why they should…
and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish Both reading and rendering need to be amended; it is…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture