2 Thessalonians 2:10
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Study Note
Study Note
The description of those who perish 'because they did not receive the love of the truth in order to be saved' names culpable rejection rather than ignorance as the cause of eschatological destruction. The phrase 'love of the truth' (agapēn tēs alētheias) is unique in the New Testament, designating not merely intellectual assent but a volitional embrace of the gospel. The passage (2 Thessalonians 2:9–12) belongs to the 'man of lawlessness' section, one of the most contested eschatological texts in the Pauline corpus, with interpretations ranging from a Roman emperor to a future antichrist figure. The theological principle — rejection of truth results in reception of delusion — reflects a pattern in both prophetic literature (Isaiah 6:9–10) and the Johannine tradition (John 12:39–40) about judicial hardening.
Other Translations
and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
and in all deceitfulness of the unrighteousness in those perishing, because the love of the truth they did not receive for their being saved,
And with every deceit of wrongdoing among those whose fate is destruction; because they were quite without that love of the true faith by which they might have salvation.
Cross References
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of …
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might …
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because …
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought …