Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Thessalonians 2:6

"And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season." — 2 Thessalonians 2:6 (ASV)

And now you know — This does not mean, “now, because of what I have just said,” for nothing has yet been said in the letter from which the Thessalonians could gather what withheld the premature manifestation of the Man of Sin. The word “now” is not used in a strictly temporal sense but as introducing another item. “You remember about the Antichrist and his characteristics; very good. And now, what holds the Antichrist back? You know that too.” Knowing not only that the Antichrist’s apocalypse must precede Christ’s, but also that the Antichrist could not reveal himself yet because the way was blocked by something still unremoved (as they saw it), the Thessalonians were absurd in acting as if the day of the Lord had already come.

What withholds — Rather, that which withholds. They did not merely know it as a doctrine, but as a familiar reality. “You are perfectly acquainted with the thing that acts as a check upon the Man of Sin.” Unlike the Man of Sin himself, who was a dim figure in the mysterious future, the Obstacle was present and tangible. They may have forgotten what this thing is, but Paul stirs their memory by telling them that they know the thing itself very well. It must necessarily be a significant and mighty power to prevent the development of the great Antichrist. At the same time, Paul’s doctrine is that this significant power is destined to be removed eventually (2 Thessalonians 2:7). Possibly, then, Paul may shrink from naming it in writing, not only because he wishes to exercise the Thessalonians’ memories, but also for fear that this power should discover and disapprove of his prophecies. For the question of what the withholding power is, see the Excursus on the Interpretation of the Prophecy.

That he might be revealed in his time — Or, with a view to his being revealed at his proper moment. This does not mean the withholding power is conscious of such a desire, but that God’s design is to use that power for this purpose.